The Mummelsee sits right on the B500 Black Forest High Road (Schwarzwaldhochstraße) between Baden-Baden and Freudenstadt, at 1,036 m. There is no railway up the mountain, but the lake is well served by road, by regional bus and by day tours — and it is only about an hour from Strasbourg.
Here is how the main options compare.
The options, compared
| How | Time | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car from Baden-Baden | 40–45 min | Fuel + parking | Freedom, early mornings, the whole High Road |
| Car from Strasbourg | about 1 h | Fuel + parking | Combining France and the Black Forest |
| Train to Achern + bus | Allow 1.5–2 h from Baden-Baden | Regional ticket | Car-free travellers, walkers |
| Day tour from Strasbourg | 7.5–8 h round trip | from ≈US$245 pp | No car, no planning, lake included |
| Private tour / driver | Flexible | Priced per group | Families and small groups |
1. By car — the easiest way
From Baden-Baden, follow the B500 up out of town; the Mummelsee is about 30 km along the ridge, roughly 40–45 minutes with the bends. From Freudenstadt it is about 20 km north via Kniebis and Ruhestein. From the A5 motorway (Karlsruhe–Basel), leave at Achern and climb through Kappelrodeck and Seebach — about 30 minutes from the exit.
- From Strasbourg: about 55 km via Kehl and Achern, roughly an hour.
- From Frankfurt: about 220 km via the A5, around 2–2.5 hours.
- From Stuttgart: about 130 km via Freudenstadt or Baden-Baden, roughly 2 hours.
- From Freiburg: about 120 km via the A5 and Achern, around 1.5 hours.
2. By train and bus
The nearest railway station is Achern, on the Rhine valley line between Karlsruhe, Baden-Baden and Offenburg. From there, regional buses climb via Seebach to the Mummelsee (line 7120 at the time of writing). Buses also run along the High Road towards Baden-Baden and Freudenstadt, with additional services at weekends and in the holiday season.
The Baden-Württemberg-Ticket and the KONUS guest card — issued free by many hotels in the Black Forest — are valid on these routes. Timetables change with the season, so check the current connections in the DB Navigator app or on the regional transport website before you set off.
3. On a guided day trip
If you are staying in Strasbourg, the simplest option by far is a day trip. A small-group tour combines Baden-Baden, the High Road and free time at the lake; a private version adds the wine village of Sasbachwalden. From Frankfurt and Baden-Baden, private tours can be tailored to include the lake.
4. Nearest airports
- Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden (FKB): the closest, roughly 45 minutes by car.
- Strasbourg (SXB): about an hour by car.
- Stuttgart (STR): about 2 hours.
- Frankfurt (FRA) and Basel-Mulhouse (BSL): about 2–2.5 hours; both have fast rail links to Baden-Baden and Achern.
Driving the High Road in winter
The B500 is kept open in winter, but at over 1,000 m snow and ice are common from December to March. Winter tyres are required in wintry conditions, and on snowy weekends the ski areas along the road get busy. Allow extra time and check conditions before you go.
