Biosphärenfest Hausen im Wiesental

The UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Black Forest

The Biosphere Reserve Black Forest was recognized by UNESCO as Germany's 16th biosphere reserve in 2016. It covers around 63,000 hectares in the southern Black Forest — high moors, mountain mixed forests, juniper heaths, alpine ridges — and includes 29 municipalities with approximately 38,000 inhabitants. The aim is to function as a model region: nature conservation, regional economy, and sustainable lifestyles are brought into harmony. The annual Biosphärenfest presents this idea to a broad public.

Hausen im Wiesental as the Festival Location 2026

For 2026, Hausen im Wiesental in the extreme southwest of the biosphere reserve has been chosen — a small municipality in the Lörrach district (AGS 08336), at the transition from the Hotzenwald to the Wiesental valley. The festival location changes each year, which is part of the concept: each municipality in the biosphere reserve should have the opportunity to host the festival, making it experienceable in different landscapes. In 2027, it will move on to Bernau im Schwarzwald, where the recognition as a biosphere reserve took place in 2016.

Regional Products from the Zeller Bergland

The heart of the festival are the regional direct marketers: dairies from the Wiesental and Hotzenwald valleys (Schwarzwälder Bauernkäse, Wiesentaler Bergkäse), farms with sausages and bacon, bakeries with rye and spelt bread, beekeepers with Black Forest honey, herbal producers, distilleries with fruit brandies, carpentry workshops, and wood turners. All products are from the biosphere reserve, many certified with the Biosphere Partner label.

Guided Tours, Workshops, Hands-on Activities

In parallel to the market stalls, the Biosphärenfest offers:

• Guided hikes around Hausen — through juniper heaths, along the Wehratal valley, ridge walks
• Workshops: beekeeping, cheese making, permaculture gardening, herbalism
• Hands-on activities for families: bird song identification, insect observation, traditional woodcraft
• Live music: brass bands from the Wiesental valley, Black Forest folk music, possibly folk bands from the region

The Wiesental Valley and the Black Forest Context

Hausen im Wiesental is located in a region that is agriculturally, touristically, and culturally shaped by the Black Forest identity — but also by the industrialization of the Wiesental valley (Schopfheim, Schönau) and its proximity to Basel. The Biosphärenfest is an important forum where the message 'Nature conservation and regional economy are not a contradiction' can be experienced firsthand.

Getting There by WTB Wiesentalbahn Train

By train (WTB-Wiesentalbahn from Basel or Lörrach) to Hausen-Raitbach station, then a short walk to the town center. By car via the B 317 (Lörrach–Schopfheim–Schönau). In summer, also by bike: the Wiesental Cycle Path leads directly through Hausen.