Long hikes into the Rotmurg valley, to the Rechtmurg and up to the Buhlbachsee

Some days are made for walking. If you want to lace up your boots in the morning and not be back until early afternoon, three long circular routes lead from the Engel's front door into the quieter corners of the Rechtmurg valley. Along wild streams, through secluded side valleys and up to one of the dark tarns of the northern Black Forest.

All three routes come in at a good ten kilometres, take around three hours of actual walking, and repay you with landscapes that stay hidden on the shorter circuits.

10.4 kilometres · moderate · 155 metres of ascent · about 3 hours

The geological trail "Steine erzählen Geschichte" (stones tell history) starts at the Rotmurg signpost next to the Murg-Café. Follow its blue diamond waymarks up the valley, past the Rotmurg-Schanze, the Heuhütte and the Häusleshütte as far as the Teufelsmühle. For almost the whole way, the path keeps company with the waters of the Rotmurg.

From the Teufelsmühle, an unmarked forest track leads uphill and out along the valley to the Rehstall. Then follow the yellow diamond towards the Häusleshütte and back above the Rotmurg to the Rotmurg-Schanze. Along the riverbank you come back into the centre of Obertal, and from there it is only a stone's throw to the Engel.

10.6 kilometres · moderate · 242 metres of ascent · about 3 hours 15 minutes

From the hotel, turn right into the Buhlbach valley and walk as far as the Glashütte Buhlbach and on to the Forellenhof. From there the path climbs in three stages. First to the Wolfighütte, then to the Köpflesbauerndurchlasshütte, where a small bridge takes you across the Rechtmurg, and finally up to the Hahnenhütte at a good 837 metres.

The way back is the reward. For around two kilometres you descend with wide views into the Rechtmurg valley, down to the Lichtengehrenhütte and on to the edge of Buhlbach. The road through the residential area brings you back to the Hotel Engel.

10.6 kilometres · moderate · 271 metres of ascent · about 3 hours 15 minutes

From the Weiher, follow the blue diamond to the tennis courts and then the yellow diamond steadily uphill to the Branntweinhäfelehütte. The path continues to the Bärenteichhütte, where a wooden sign reading "Buhlbachsee 600m" points the way for the final stretch. Keeping to the blue diamond and the Genießer-Tour, you arrive at the lake.

The still tarn with its floating bog island is the turning point of the route and a place to linger. You return along the Genießer-Tour via the Spaltbächle signpost to the Lärchenhütte, then at an easy pace past the tennis courts and along the Weiherhaldenweg to the hotel.

An early start pays off on the long routes, leaving time for proper breaks at the huts and viewpoints. Rucksacks and walking poles are available free of charge at reception, and the kitchen will happily pack you a lunch to take with you.

All three routes follow the waymarks of the Baiersbronner Wanderhimmel. Only short sections are unmarked, and these are described on the maps. In unsettled weather, the Nationalparkregion app helps with a topographic map and up-to-date information.