The first discussions about the construction of a road over the Feldberg took place around 1840 in Wiesental. The local communities wanted a link to the Baar, as did local industry because they sourced their raw materials from the Baar and the upper part of Württemberg (brush industry) as well as from Austria (tinder industry) and wanted to open up new markets. Hitherto, raw materials had to be delivered by road over the pass of Hohe Wacht (Bernau) and along the Prägbach valley. Shortly before the Baden Revolution, a mule track was laid from Todtnau via Zeiger and Bärental to Altglashütten and connected with roads to Lenzkirch and St. Blasien. In 1847, the state had assessed the road project as important, but there were disputes over its financing, which was to be provided by the Principality of Fürstenberg and the neighbouring municipalities. In 1866, a government subsidy of 20,000 guilders was granted, and, in 1868, Bärental and the House of Fürstenberg agreed on an extension of the road to the border with Menzenschwand. In 1874, preparatory work got under way and the road was opened in 1885. It was not cleared in winter, but used by snowshoe walkers, skaters and pedestrians.