Mareike Schroeter

Word has spread quickly that there is now a traveling course for international students at KIT: The introduction for the course in the summer semester 2024 is fully booked in no time at all. Shortly beforehand, I receive several requests from international students asking whether they can still take part in the traveling course. Of course! I don't turn anyone away who is interested in and enjoys exploring the Black Forest and its culture. On the contrary: I am very pleased about the great interest.

KIT University Sports is kindly providing funding for the project for a second time and I am coordinating the conceptual details with Annette Seiter, who runs the International Buddy Program at KIT. She has decades of experience with international students, so she knows the needs and requirements of this target group very well and gives me valuable tips. I appreciate the exchange of ideas with Annette and am soon motivated to start preparing.

Why make changes when (even if not yet so) old things have proven themselves? The structure of the project remains the same and so in the summer semester it consists of an introduction in which I teach the students the basics of Germany's favorite outdoor sport, a workshop on the culture of the Black Forest and three hiking dates. But before we lace up our hiking boots together and pack our rucksacks, we meet in mid-May for an introduction. As a quick warm-up, I first ask where my interested fellow participants come from and find out that they come from Turkey, Macedonia, India, China and the USA, and that a local buddy from Ettlingen is also taking part. Super exciting! So we are a diverse group of hiking enthusiasts! I also want to find out about their hiking experience so that I can better assess the group.

After the short warm-up, we start with today's agenda. I present the packing list on which I have compiled everything I need in my hiking rucksack. And yes, you should also pack a rain jacket, as the probability of precipitation is higher in the summer months than in the winter months. We'll see for ourselves in practice! But more on that later. I explain that ankle-high hiking boots are essential, along with a hearty snack, plenty of drinks, energy bars and sun protection. Some of those interested have to buy new hiking boots, but that doesn't dampen their enthusiasm - on the contrary. We continue with the program. The next slides are about physical and mental limits, suitable maps - both analog and for smartphones - and fairly reliable weather (apps). We conclude the introduction with some rules to follow in the Black Forest, especially in the nature reserve.

For our first hike at the end of May, we meet in large numbers and in dry weather at the Albtal train station and drive together to Gernsbach in the Murg Valley. I have planned a hike of around 8 km to start with, including along the Gernsbach legend trail and the popular Murg ladder via the war memorial - from here you actually have a wonderful view over the town - and Eberstein Castle. But unfortunately the weather put a spanner in the works! As we get off the train and walk across the Murg, it's drizzling lightly, but within the next few minutes it starts to rain heavily, joined by lightning and thunder. We seek shelter in a nearby Italian café and hope that the weather will improve, but the rain doesn't let up. I'm annoyed, the weather wasn't forecast to be that bad and I would have liked to make the buddies want to do more, but they take it in their stride. We agree on an alternative date in July and then drive back to Karlsruhe, where of course it doesn't rain.

Before the next hiking dates, the interactive workshop on Black Forest culture takes place in mid-June. We start with the captivating podcast 'A dream of sponge cake and cream - Getting to know the Gateau' about Black Forest gateau - one of the Black Forest's most delicious specialties. After a hike, the international students really want to try this world-famous cake, they beg. Let's do it, it's noted! We get to grips with other delicacies such as kirsch, Black Forest ham and trout. I give an input on the traditional Swabian-Alemannic carnival, then we continue with the Black Forest Farm. We discuss the structure of the thatched forest roof and who (people and animals) "lives" where. The learning circle concludes with a chapter on the cuckoo clock and the art of glassblowing.

To give the students a little foretaste of the hikes, we watch an excerpt from the nature documentary WildWestweg - Black Forest. The 285 km long Westweg from Pforzheim to Basel is presented here in a less varied but nevertheless informative way. Experienced hikers cover this route in 12 long daily stages, we take a more leisurely approach.

Fortunately, the weather forecast for July 13 and 14, 2024 is very good, so we can make up for our missed appointment! On Saturday, we explore the Gertelbach waterfalls in Bühlertal and the students are thrilled with the tour. The water flows at a fast pace past moss-covered stones, the light falls through the treetops, creating an atmospheric ambience, and the walk along the water is entertaining. We take a lunch break on the Wiedenfelsen rock with its great views and then walk back to the bus stop via Hertahütte and Kohlwiese. We return to Karlsruhe in the afternoon with many wonderful impressions.

The weekend is sporty, as we meet up again the very next day for another hike. For Sunday, I have chosen a 9 km tour from Seibelseckle via the beautiful Mummelsee, the Grindehütte and the less prominent Hornisgrinde peak. The view from the broad mountain ridge into the Rhine plain and as far as France is breathtaking! We take a break at a barbecue site at the Ochsenstall ski and hiking lodge and then head back to the starting point on wide, gravel forest paths. Tired but happy, we almost fall asleep in the bus on the way back.

At the end of July, we have an appointment for our last hiking tour under sunny skies and blue skies. I have chosen a route along part of the Sankenbachsteig past the Sankenbach waterfalls, which is one of my favorite hikes in the Black Forest. Fortunately, we don't have to squeeze into the overcrowded Black Forest Railway today, but take the regional train on a different route to the climatic health resort of Baiersbronn. We set off from here! We travel very quickly and soon reach the beautifully situated Sankenbachsee, where we stop for lunch. From here, an almost alpine trail leads to the waterfalls. We cross bridges over the water again and again until we reach a forest path further up and descend into the valley from here.