The Alb in the Southern Black Forest Nature Park rises as the Bernauer Alb and Menzenschwander Alb at Herzogenhorn and Feldberg respectively. The two headwaters join at Glashof north-west of St. Blasien and flow through St. Blasien, directly past St. Blasius Cathedral with its striking dome, which is considered the largest church dome north of the Alps. The Alb finds its way to the Rhine through the wild and romantic Alb Valley and the wild Alb Gorge that follows.
The hiking trail meets its namesake on long stretches close to the banks, but also winds its way up to the heights on both sides of the Alb, offering many opportunities to discover and experience the diverse landscape, with the theme of water playing a role time and again.
The route can be completed as a sporty variant in three stages or as a classic tour in five stages. The "official" hiking direction is from the mouth to the source, but of course the tour can also be walked in the opposite direction.
