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The Ultimate Black Forest Travel Guide: What to Know Before You Visit

Situated in Germany’s southwest corner, the Black Forest, or Schwarzwald in German, is known around the world for its dark conifer forests, enchanting villages, hiking trails, and thermal spas. Steeped in mystery and myth, the Black Forest is a place in Baden-Württemberg that so many Germans choose when they vacation in their own country. I have been to Schwarzwald a number of times, so I can attest to that. There are countless things to do in the Black forest! I’ve put together Black Forest travel guide featuring everything you need to plan a trip to Schwarzwald, from help creating your own Black Forest itinerary to detailed descriptions of the region’s sights and cultural attractions.

The state of Baden-Württemberg is a perfect travel destination that has something for everyone. A lot of tourists and locals alike flock to the Black Forest to visit Schloss Hohenbaden , hike to the Triberg Waterfalls , and marvel at half-timbered houses in Schiltach . In addition, Schwarzwald is a great place to breathe fresh air, which also provides great opportunities for outdoor exploration. If you want to experience the real Black Forest and live like a local, make sure to get off the beaten track.

The best part of visiting Schwarzwald is that you can’t go wrong with any itinerary because the Black Forest is an expansive area rich in tradition. Visiting the Black Forest is an essential part of any Southern Germany road trip, and definitely one of the best things to do in Baden-Württemberg. In this travel guide, you’ll also find my recommendations and tips for planning the Black Forest itinerary, as well as a starting point for planning your trip to Schwarzwald. Let’s dive right in!

The Ultimate Black Forest Travel Guide What to Know Before You Visit

Where is the Black Forest in Germany?

The Black Forest region in Baden-Württemberg is home to the cuckoo clock, the Grimm Brothers’ fairy tales, and the highest non-Alpine Mountains in Germany . Stretching for about 100 miles along the French border from Switzerland to Baden-Baden, the Black Forest is the heart of the country’s timber and the woodworking industry. There are 11 moderate trails in Black Forest National Park ranging from 3.9 to 20.8 miles and about 250 different communities within the regional area.

Why is it Called the Black Forest?

Locally known as the Schwarzwald, the region still conjures up images of wizards, gnomes and witches, something akin to an enchanted forest in a fairy-tale. While the Black Forest is still an area abounding with myths, legends say that the slightly sinister canopy of evergreen trees here was thick and dense that sunlight struggled to reach the forest floor. Hence locals called the forest black.

A Brief History of the Black Forest Region

When the Romans arrived in the region nearly two millenniums ago, the forest was intermingled with both deciduous trees and pines. As people required more and more resources, the density that created the darkness would grow increasingly thinner. The increased use of timber turned the forest wood into an economic resource, sometimes sold, and sometimes used in mining, charcoal, and glass-making industries in other countries.

For example, timber from the Black Forest was used to build foundations for homes on the soft, sandy ground in the Netherlands . In the mid 18th and early 19th centuries, many farmers used the wood to make intricate cuckoo clocks to supplement their income during the winter months. To this day, local cuckoo clockmakers preserve the rich cultural and historical heritage.

how to travel to black forest germany

Today the Black Forest is one of the best-managed forests in Germany. Sometimes visitors don’t even realize this when they see the rolling green hills and thick woodlands. But as they venture deeper into the national park, they can see the sections where foresting is allowed, and sections where new planting is being done. In some areas, you can still see the plant seedlings in straight rows.

Another thing the Black Forest is known for is thermal spas. Romans were the first who introduced the bathing culture with Europeans who rediscovered the healing springs at the beginning of the 19th century. The natural hot springs in the northwestern corner of the Black Forest including the spa town of Baden-Baden, attract spa enthusiasts from all over the world.

How to get to the Black Forest

Flying to the black forest region.

If you’re coming from the United States or Canada, Frankfurt is the primary airport for this area. There are trains running between Freiburg (Breisgau) Hbf and Frankfurt (Main), as well as trains that connect Karlsruhe, Baden-Baden, and Offenburg to the major cities in Germany by rail.

Alternatively, if you’re already in Europe and coming from within the European Union, consider flying to Basel-Mulhouse airport. The airport sits on the borders of France , Switzerland, and Germany and is much closer to Freiburg im Breisgau. There is a frequent bus connection between Basel Airport and Freiburg.

Visiting the Black Forest by public transport requires a bit of planning. Thus if you’re flying into major cities, you may want to use regional trains to get to the smaller towns on your Black Forest itinerary. If you are opting to take a scenic train ride through the Black Forest, then investing in a Konus card may be a wise decision. This guest card is valid in the registered period of your stay on all local buses and trains. As well as on the trams and buses in Freiburg and Karlsruhe.

Driving in the Black Forest

Of course, the most convenient way to explore the Black Forest is by car. There are plenty of rental companies doing business in Germany, so you can easily pick up your own vehicle at the airport upon arrival. When traveling from Frankfurt, you may want to take Autobahn A5, which runs through Offenburg along the western edge of the Black Forest.

things to do in black forest germany

Alternatively, you can take Autobahn A81, which runs through the valley on the eastern side of the region. Both routes can be the starting points for driving to any town in the region and great options if you’re planning a self-drive tour of the Black Forest.

When is the Best Time to Visit Black Forest

Schwarzwald is a year-round jaw-dropping destination that inspires the soul with its beautiful landscape and natural scenery. Depending on your interest, the region offers excellent potential for cross-country-skiing, hiking, and biking.

If trekking is your thing, then summer is the ideal time to visit . Spring comes later to higher elevations. In early March hilltops in the Black Forest are usually covered with snow. If you want to see nature in full swing, consider going in late April or early May.

At the other end, fall is a great time for mountain biking and nordic walking. While you can get a glimpse of vibrant fall foliage in the Black Forest, Schwarzwald also has many fir and spruce trees that do not change color. If you visit in autumn, there is an amazing number of cultural festivals and other traditional festivities in fall.

In winter Schwarzwald sees a lot of snow. If you’re looking for things to do in the Black Forest in winter, the national park offers cross-country and downhill skiing. You can attend a major sporting competition (ski jumping). Or you can see a dog sled race or go snowshoeing or snowboarding. Plus, nothing beats Christmas markets in enchanting chocolate-box towns.

Where To Stay In The Black Forest, Germany

Baden-Baden: Schwarzwaldhotel Sonne Karlsruhe: Hotel Zum Ochsen Durlach Europa-Park: Hotel Bell Rock Freiburg: Hotel Schwarzwälder Hof Bad Teinach-Zavelstein: Hotel Berlins KroneLamm Triberg: Hotel Central Garni Feldberg: Hotel Schlehdorn Gengenbach: Die Reichsstadt Heidelberg: Hotel Zum Ritter St. Georg Gernsbach: Schloss Eberstein Endingen: Zollhaus Lahr: Hotel Restaurant Adler Vogtsburg: Schwarzer Adler Estate Hotel

How to Explore the Black Forest

After my last three trips to the Black Forest, I figured out that the best way to explore is to set up a home base and explore from there. On my recent trip, I stayed in Kirchzarten, which is only a 10-minute drive from Freiburg. The town a number of reasonably-priced hotels as well as vacation rentals. However, if you’re interested in a more rustic experience, the concept of farm stays is quite popular here.

If you don’t have a plan or a travel itinerary, basing yourself in one location will allow you to thoroughly explore the surrounding areas. Such a strategy can go a long way because there are a lot of things to do in the Black Forest. So if you’re short on time, you will still end up somewhere that matters.

I crisscrossed Schwarzwald on my recent trips and there are still places I haven’t seen. To create a perfect Black Forest itinerary you’ll need first to narrow down the list of places you want to visit. If you have more than a weekend, set aside some time for particular points of interest you’ll encounter along the way. But if you have set a specific time to leave the area try to plan more specifically for your days. Keep in mind that wherever you go, you will likely come across a lot of charming places that deserve a stop.

Take A Hike

Obviously, you can’t visit the Black Forest without hiking its numerous trails. The larger cities including Baden-Baden, Freiburg, and Offenburg all have local tourist offices where you can get maps and additional information about shorter routes. Longer routes like Westweg (in the western Black Forest), Ostweg (in the eastern Black Forest), or the Mittelweg (in the central Black Forest) are usually listed on most websites so you can easily plan your Black Forest itinerary.

To plan the itinerary you need first select the area you wish to explore, then choose the route. If you’re using a website planner, it will show all of the trails in that area. Some can show a particular attraction or lodging, as well as trails that lead to that location.

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Most routes in the Black Forest are easy enough to follow and uniformly marked with different color-coded markers. However, it’s not uncommon for one route to follow several different colored route markers. Keep in mind, there are yellow local trails (gelbe Raute), blue: regional trails (blaue Raute), and red: main trails (rote Raute). The famous trails run north-south and east-west), e.g Freiburg-Bodensee (Westweg); Kaiserstuhl–Rhine Black Forest Trail.

Multi-day hiking trails are an important part of local culture. Inns and stops are plentiful along the way. It is entirely possible to explore the Black Forest by hiking, without sleeping in a tent.

In addition, there are several theme trails. You can choose one to learn about a particular aspect of the region. Some are pilgrimages, others focus on farm life, others highlight various cultural sights and famous attractions. There is even a schnapps trail, which will guide you through the forest, passing by schnapps and wine fountains.

Here are the Most Beautiful Tourist Routes in the Black Forest:

The Schwarzwaldhocstrasse , or the Black Forest High Road, is the oldest tourist route in the Black Forest. It covers high areas in the northern Black Forest, focusing on scenery and panoramic views.

The Schwarzwald Panoramastraße , or Black Forest Scenic Road, offers a very similar experience in the southern parts of the forest. The mountains are higher in the south, so the views may be more spectacular.

The Badische Weinstrasse , or Baden Wine Route, travels through the winemaking region on the west side of the forest. The route includes numerous wineries and renowned restaurants.

The Schwarzwald-Bäderstraße , or Black Forest Spa Route, travels through some of the top spa towns in a region that is known for its phenomenal spa experiences.

The Klosterroute Nordschwarzwald , or Northern Black Forest Monastery Road, visits four spectacular historic monasteries, including the UNESCO World Heritage Maulbronn Monastery.

Other routes exclusive to the Black Forest include the Schwarzwald-Tälerstraße , and the Baden Spargelstraße, or Asparagus Route.

black forest germany best places to stay

Tour routes running through the Black Forest, but not exclusive to it are:

The German Framework Route , red line, featuring stunning half-timbered architecture across the region.

The Hohenzollern Road , which follows the path of the Prussian royalty throughout Baden-Württemberg.

Römerstraße Neckar-Alb-Aare , or Roman Road Neckar-Alb-Aare, traces Roman ruins throughout the area, with excavations and open air museums.

Things to Do in the Black Forest

Visit a castle.

While Schwarzwald is not particularly known for its castles or palaces, the region boasts some outstanding examples, ranging from functioning sites open for tours to mere ruins. Schloß Eberstein near Gernsbach, Karlsruhe Palace , Castle Hohengeroldseck just to name a few.

If you’re looking for the best castles in the Black Forest consider visiting Burg Hohenzollern. Situated in the eastern part of the national park, the Gothic Revival Burg Hohenzollern feels like something out of a fantasy novel. Once the seat of the Prussian kings and Kaisers, the castle offers daily tours in German (or another language) for an added fee.

My American readers may be interested to find within the castle museum a letter penned by George Washington to a Hohenzollern descendant thanking him for his service in the American Revolutionary War.

Go To a Spa

Friedrichsbad and Caracalla in Baden-Baden, mineral thermal bath in Bad Teinach, Paracelsus-Thermae in Bad Liebenzell, and Palais Thermal in Bad Wildbad are among the best spas in the Black Forest region.

Since the Roman era, Schwarzwald has been known for its health retreats and spas. At first, Roman soldiers were sent to recuperate and “take the waters” here. Centuries later the Black Forest was frequented by royalty, the European nobility, and the world’s elite. It was the place to see and be seen both in the summer and in the winter and that feel has permeated the region as it is today.

With more than 400 ranking criteria to determine the overall quality of a spa, there are 17 different sites in the Black Forest to visit. With this in mind, pick a town with a name starting with the word “Bad” (bath) to get a quality spa experience.

Hike To Triberg Waterfall

Located in the town of Triberg, the Triberg Fall is one of the most scenic natural wonders in Schwarzwald. The trail begins right in town. It is well marked and you will need to pay a small entry fee to access the trail. You’ll climb from the foot to the top of the waterfalls on a winding path along the cascading falls, with lookout points to enjoy the view.

black forest germany best places to visit

After a point, the trail branches off in three directions. The main trail loops back into the town. Don’t miss seeing Maria in der Tanne pilgrimage church along the route. The small baroque church is very unique to the Black Forest with an impressive altar and wonderful carved wood doors.

Enjoy The Rides At Europa Park

Europa Park sits in the town of Rust, some 50 minutes from Offenburg. This is Europe’s second most popular amusement park (after Disneyland Paris). Split into 15 country-themed areas, Europa Park features world-class rides in a setting that recreates highlights from around Europe . You can take a Poseidon Water roller coaster ride, have a lot of fun with Cassandra’s Curse – spinning-room dark ride, and check out Russia’s Mir space station. I particularly like Atlantica Super Splash that creates a refreshing spray and genuinely makes you feel like you left Germany!

Visit The Black Forest Open Air Museum

Schwarzwälder Freilichtmuseum Vogtsbauernhof sits between Hausach and Gutach and provides valuable insights into German life in the Black Forest. It’s one of my favorite museums in Germany and I’ve visited it four or five times now and enjoyed every visit. I usually visit with a companion, and it never fails to impress. If you’d like a taste of the history of the region, don’t miss out on visiting this place. Family visitors and adults-only groups will both enjoy this fascinating open-air museum that focuses on different aspects of farm life and different generations.

You can easily spend one full day there because the museum features an extensive collection of farmhouses ranging from 16th to the 18th centuries. In order to understand local life better, you can join guided tours both in German and English. From March to November there are activities and workshops like traditional baking and cooking, folklore, and craft demonstrations. This will be a fun-filled learning experience for kids. Check the timings before you go, so that you won’t miss anything.

Go To a Historic Mine

Did you know that there are amazing medieval mines beneath the Black Forest? In Schwarzwald extensive mining activities took place during the Middle Ages but today nearly all of the mines are closed to production. Several former mine sites have re-opened their doors to visitors after refurbishment. So if you’re into the history of mining technology, you can choose any of the 12 mines in the Black Forest that offer tours ranging from 45 minutes to two and a half hours. Museums-Bergwerk Schauinsland, Mine ‘Frischglück’ in Neuenbürg, Mine ‘Finstergrund’ in Wieden, Mine ‘Teufelsgrund’ in Münstertal and some others offer scheduled tours.

Beautiful Places to Visit in the Black Forest

First things first, there are endless beautiful places to visit in the Black Forest. Every village and town here has unique aspects and something special to see. Wherever you go, you will always find something worthwhile along the way. However, when it comes to planning your own Black Forest travel itinerary, there are some extraordinary locations that you may want to visit in the first place.

Freiburg im Breisgau

This university town is one of the largest in the Black Forest that makes a great base to explore the rest of the region. Freiburg im Breisgau has beautiful historic buildings, picturesque narrow streets, interesting history, the famous Freiburg Munster , and lots of places to eat hearty German cuisine. The best part about Freiburg is that you don’t need longer than a day to see it all. Consider taking a free walking tour or a culinary tour to better understand this adorable town.

why is it called the black forest

With a charming medieval old town and dynamic café culture, Freiburg harmoniously combines the old and the new. The Munsterplatz , or cathedral square, is where the lively open-air market takes place on working days, great for people-watching. The atmospheric Freiburg Munster with its frightening and grotesque gargoyles is worth a visit too. The cathedral is home to the 750-year-old Hosanna bell , as well as the 116-m-high tower that offers scenic panoramic views of the town.

Another great thing to check out in Freiburg, especially for kids, is the Bächle ! These little cobbled water-filled gutters run through the city center. In the summer, waterways attract barefoot kids of all ages to play, splash and have a blast.

Set in the pine-forested Nagold valley, Calw has a reputation for being one of the forest’s prettiest towns. As the birthplace of German novelist, and Nobel Prize recipient Herman Hesse, there’s a museum dedicated to his works. Calw is another stop on the Timber Frame Road so you can expect to enjoy the peaceful and tranquil countryside.

Start exploring Calw with the picturesque market square. Surrounded by 18th-century half-timbered houses, Calw’s square offers a quintessential German experience – think cobbled streets, towering Gothic churches, and of course, delicious beer. The city owes its growth to tourism. Many flock here to see the ruins of Hirsau Monastery , stop by the Tannery Museum, the Monastery Hirsau Museum, and the Farmhouse Museum.

Bad Wildbad

Situated in the north of the forest, Bad Wildbad is a lovely riverfront town where you can take a river walk to try the Palais Thermal baths. The thing I love about Bad Wildbad is that the spa town is much cheaper than Baden-Baden. At the same time if offers amazing spa facilities, a wide range of treatments for health, entertaining cultural events, and cross-country trails on the Sommerberg and around. If you’re feeling adventurous, take a ride on the Sommerberg Funicular Railway, then take the Schwarzwald Treetop Walk .

Breisach am Rhein

The tiny town of Breisach sits on the German side of the Upper Rhine River in the immediate vicinity of Alsace. You can reach Breisach by rail from Freiburg in 30 minutes. Alternatively, there are trains to Breisach from Riegel am Kaiserstuhl, north of Freiburg. To the west, there is Colmar in France. Catch a bus at Breisach Bahnhof bus station to enjoy a 30-minute bus ride.

black forest national park

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This charming town was almost totally destroyed in WWII and scrupulously rebuilt in the old style. Breisach is one of the most beautiful places to visit in the Black Forest, and one that deserves to be visited way more often. It is a good idea to start exploring Breisach with St. Stephen’s Cathedral , which towers over the city. Then pay the Blue House a visit – a memorial site dedicated to the history of the Jews of the Upper Rhine. Learn the mysteries of the Radbrunnen Tower (Radbrunnenturm), once a town hall and medieval court torture chamber. If you have time, cross the river into France to see the incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site, the star-shaped Neuf-Brisach Citadel of the Sun King.

Baiersbronn

This idyllic mountain resort consists of nine scenic hamlets that are famous as a center of haute cuisine in Germany. It gained fame in culinary circles for the astounding number of Michelin stars awarded to three local restaurants.

Between meals in Schwarzwaldstube (Hotel Traube Tonbach), Restaurant Bareiss, and Restaurant Schlossberg, there are a number of attractions and things to do to keep you entertained.

The impressive ruins of the All Saints’ Abbey (Kloster Allerheiligen), are made even more haunting by their secluded setting and unfortunate history. Since its founding in 1192, parts of the premises have been destroyed repeatedly by fires — in 1470, in 1555, and finally by lightning in 1804. Southwest of Baiersbronn a scenic path leads to the 40-meter tall Sankenbach Waterfalls (Sankenbach-Wasserfälle). Play around with a long wooden lever, which allows visitors to regulate the volume of the waterfall.

Nestled just about 20 minutes away from Offenburg by train, the town of Gengenbach is filled with narrow cobblestone streets, stone fountains, and half-timbered houses. Every street in this chocolate box town seems postcard-worthy. Many buildings here are decorated with brightly painted shutters, flower boxes, and bronze lanterns.

Gengenbach is part of the German Framework Road and definitely looks like a scene out of a fairy tale. If you’re looking for a fantastic Christmas experience, make sure to head to Gengenbach in December. For twenty-four days before Christmas, the town hall becomes a giant Advent calendar, with each of its 24 large windows opening in turn to reveal an elaborate scene.

black forest germany by train

In fact, Baden-Württemberg was one of the first areas in Europe to host Christmas markets. Gengenbach is a unique place to enjoy a traditional Christkindlesmarkt that isn’t ruined by commercialization or overrun by crowds. Also, don’t miss out on visiting Narrenmuseum Niggelturm, Löwenberg Museum in the former Patrician’s house, and the Rafting and Transport Museum in the former Warden’s House.

There is a number of vineyards surround much of Gengenbach, while hikes in the area range from about 1-13 miles. Shorter walks are available along some of the vineyards close to town. The paths won’t be actually winding through forests, but you’ll have incredible views of the area, as well as the town itself.

The Bottom Line

I hope my Black Forest travel guide has inspired you to visit Schwarzwald one day soon. If you’re still looking for options to add to your itinerary, there are just too many places to include in one post. With so many castles, trails, museums, and postcard-worthy towns, you really can’t go wrong in the Black Forest.

If you’re planning your own fun adventure through a dense and mysterious land, the Schwarzwald Tourism page gives accurate information on literally every town and attraction in the region. Whether you’re obsessed with trip planning or you just want a loose plan, the Black Forest has the rolling hills, thick evergreen forests, and fields dotted with cute guesthouses, farmhouses that won’t disappoint.

Schwarzwald is one of my favorite places in Germany, and I will definitely return. The question is, how many times.

Still have doubts about how to arrange a trip to the Black Forest, what to do, and where to stay? Don’t be shy, leave a question in the comments below. And don’t forget to book your hotels and tour through my links, doing that you help me with running MindTheTravel and writing great travel tips!

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Helen Reynolds

My husband and I lived in Germany many years ago and this took me back. Thank you.

germany black forest trip

I would love to visit The Black Forest. Your article makes it look like a very interesting place to visit. Thanks for this.

germany black forest trip

Never knew it was known by Schwarzwald. Seems very exciting! Would love to visit it!

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15 TOP Things To Do In The Black Forest in Germany!

Categories Europe , Germany

One of the best places to visit in Germany is the Black Forest and this guide to things to do in the Black Forest is going to convince you to visit and give you a great itinerary!

Ever wondered where fairytales come from? Think about a place with deep woods, old castles on hills, and small towns that look like they’re from a story. That’s the Black Forest in Germany. It’s a mix of nature, old stories, and cool places to see. It offers a diverse range of activities: from historic castles to charming towns, natural wonders, and, of course, culinary delights.

This guide is going to tell you about the best spots in the Black Forest , ensuring you make the most of your visit to Black Forest . From places most people don’t know about to the really popular ones, we’ve got it all here. Ready to explore? Let’s dive in!

Things To Do in the Black Forest, Germany

Whether you’re a history buff, nature lover, or culinary enthusiast, this guide outlines the top activities and spots to explore in this iconic region.

Things to do in Black Forest Germany,

How to Get to the Black Forest?

If you’re flying in, think about landing in Stuttgart . It’s the closest big city to the Black Forest. You can also fly to Strasbourg in France or Basel in Switzerland.

From these places, you can take a train or get a rental car to go to the Black Forest. Cars give you more freedom, but they’re a pricier option compared to trains which can save you money.

I always use  Rental Cars as they search all the  top car rental companies  for the best availability and price!

How to get the best flights??

I use Skyscanner to book all of my flights! I’m a huge fan of Skyscanner because I love how easy it is to compare different destinations and different dates for the best price and route!

For example, I type in ‘everywhere’ in the destination if I have fixed dates and want to find the best flights on those dates on Skyscanner.

And if I have a set destination I’ll look at the ‘month view’ to check the cheapest days to fly in that month!

1. Black Forest Highlands

Black Forest Hills and Sunset, Things to do in Black Forest Germany,

This area is probably what I have always thought of the Black Forest to be. Described on the Tourism for Black Forest website as ‘Ranging 700 m to 1,500 m, the Black Forest Highlands offer a healing climate and pure air among untouched nature year-round. This vacation region is perfect for discovering romantic villages with lively traditions , untouched countryside, and a versatile range of recreational activities.’

If you love hiking and walking like I do and love fairytale-looking villages visiting the Black Forest Highlands and hiking in them is one of the things to do in the Black Forest!

2. Discover Castle Hohenzollern

Castle Hohenzollern, Things to do in Black Forest Germany,

Right next to the Black Forest, you’ll find the awe-inspiring Castle Hohenzollern which is one of the best things to do in Black Forest. This place is more than just bricks and stones; it’s a journey through a thousand years of history. If you’re planning a trip to Germany , put this at the top of your list.

Not only is it a sightseeing favourite , but the stories behind its walls are legendary. Imagine walking the same halls as German emperors, the big shots who helped shape Germany’s story. This isn’t just a castle; it’s a deep dive into a fascinating past . Don’t miss it when planning your Black Forest Germany itinerary!

3. Castle Lichtenstein

Castle Lichtenstein, Things to do in Black Forest Germany,

Just a stone’s throw away from the famed Castle Hohenzollern, you’ll stumble upon the enchanting 19th-century Castle Lichtenstei n and it is one of the must things to do in Black Forest . Perched dramatically on a cliff edge, it serves up some seriously insta-worthy views of the lush countryside.

It’s been in the same family’s hands since its first stone was laid! They’ve lovingly renovated it throughout the years, ensuring it remains the picturesque wonder that it is today.

While you’re there, don’t forget to check out its dreamy courtyard and gardens . Whether you’re unpacking a picnic or just fancy a relaxed walk, this spot’s got you covered. Do yourself a favour and add Castle Lichtenstein to your list of ‘ places to go in the Black Forest ‘. You won’t regret it!

4. Try Tasty Meals in Baiersbronn

Baiersbronn village, Things to do in Black Forest Germany,

Tucked away in Germany is the little town of Baiersbronn , made up of nine beautiful hamlets . While it might seem like a quiet and unassuming place at first glance, it has an impressive secret. This town is a hotspot for those who love fine dining . Why? Well, three of its local restaurants hold a total of eight Michelin stars among them. That’s pretty amazing!

Let’s talk about these restaurants for a moment. The Schwarzwaldstube in Hotel Traube Tonbach, Restaurant Bareiss, and Restaurant Schlossberg have become major attractions in Baiersbronn. Each one has earned its stars by offering incredible food and top-notch service. So, if you’re a food lover, this place should definitely be on your list of places to go in Black Forest .

But Baiersbronn isn’t just about food. For those interested in history, there’s the Kloster Allerheiligen or the Monastery of All Saints . This place has a rich but somewhat tragic history. Since it was founded in 1192, it faced several devastating fires and even got hit by lightning in 1804.

If you’re more into nature, Baiersbronn has got you covered. A peaceful trail just southwest of the town will take you to the impressive Sankenbach Waterfalls . Standing at a height of 60 meters, they’re a sight to behold.

5. Freudenstadt

Freudenstadt square, Things to do in Black Forest Germany,

Tucked away in Germany’s scenic landscapes, Freudenstadt is a treasure waiting to be discovered when you visit the Black Forest Germany .

Centred around its sprawling market square – the largest market square in the country – the town is a vibrant mix of quaint shops, bustling cafes, and eateries that tempt you with local specialities like the iconic Black Forest cake . For those looking to stretch their legs, the nearby Kurpark offers a tranquil space for leisurely walks.

And if unwinding is on your agenda, the town’s rejuvenating spas are a haven of relaxation. No visit to Freudenstadt would be complete without marvelling at the architectural splendour of the Evangelical Lutheran Church and taking in the panoramic views from the Friedrichsturm (Frederick’s Tower ). Dive in and let Freudenstadt’s charms captivate you!

6. Baden-Baden: A Spa Town with Centuries of Luxury

ruins in Baden Baden, Things to do in Black Forest Germany,

Tucked into the foothills of the Black Forest in southwestern Germany, Baden-Baden gleams as a beacon of relaxation, luxury, and cultural sophistication and is a must-visit spot in Black Forest . While its world-renowned spas draw most of the attention, there’s far more to this elegant town than just its thermal waters.

The allure of Baden-Baden’s springs can be traced back to the Roman era. Ancient Roman ruins in the area showcase the r emnants of bathhouses , displaying the long-standing tradition of using these warm waters for relaxation and rejuvenation. The town’s name itself, when translated, means ‘Baths’, emphasizing its primary attraction.

Experience the best of the Black Forest in a single day with this comprehensive tour from Baden-Baden to Freiburg

7. A Day at the Black Forest Open Air Museum

If you’re near Gutach, you’ve got to check out the Black Forest Open Air Museum . It’s the first one in the Black Forest and is super popular—it gets around 250,000 visitors every year! At this place, you can see what life was like in the old Black Forest.

From old-timey houses to cool crafts , it’s all there. Plus, there are animals to see and fun stuff to do, especially for kids. Oh, and there’s a restaurant where you can grab some tasty Black Forest cake. It’s a cool spot to hang out for a day!

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8. Visit Europa Park in Rust

entrance to Europa Park, things to do in Black Forest Germany

Europa Park is this super big theme park in Germany , right between Freiburg in Breisgau and Strasbourg in France. It’s got 18 different themed areas and 13 roller coasters. If you’re into milder rides, there’s one called Alpenexpress Enzian which takes you through a pretend diamond mine.

But if you’re into really fast rides, you should try the Silver Star .

Besides the rides, there’s a bunch of stuff to do inside like shows, parades, and even a 4D movie theatre. If you’re planning on staying, they’ve got a resort with six hotels and a campground. So, if you’re around, it’s a cool place to spend the day or even longer!

Europa Park is one of the great things to do in the Black Forest with kids to keep them entertained on the trip whilst you take in all the nature and pretty villages!

9. The Charm of Triberg in Schwarzwald

Triberg Waterfalls, Things to do in Black Forest Germany,

In the heart of the Black Forest region lies the scenic town of Triberg in Schwarzwald . Renowned for its captivating natural beauty and deep-rooted cultural stories, it has earned the admiration of travellers worldwide. As they wander its charming streets, many are enchanted by the iconic cuckoo clocks , often taking one home as a cherished souvenir.

But beyond its intricate timepieces, Triberg is also home to the stunning Triberg waterfalls .

These magnificent falls tumble down in seven layers, ranking among Germany’s highest . For those who wish to immerse themselves in its beauty, scenic trails snake through the dense, green forests, offering mesmerizing views of the cascading waters.

The town’s allure doesn’t stop at nature; it extends to its rich history. A variety of museums stand ready to take visitors on a journey through time, with sites like the traditional Black Forest farmstead providing a peek into the region’s rural life from days gone by.

10. Black Forest Spa Route

The Black Forest is full of spa and spa hotels so staying at one of them for one of the things to do in the Black Forest! There is even something called the Black Forest Spa Route or Schwarzwald-Bäderstraße because wellness is a longstanding tradition in the Black Forest. 

11. Exploring Staufen

big castle on a hill in Staufen, Things to do in Black Forest Germany,

Staufen is a charming town that beautifully blends history with natural beauty which makes it one of the places to visit in Black Forest. As you walk through its streets, you’ll immediately notice the well-preserved buildings and the lively market square that often hosts local festivals.

One can’t miss the impressive castle situated on a hill , offering a panoramic view of the entire town below. For those who prefer a more active experience, Staufen doesn’t disappoint. Surrounding the town are numerous hiking trails that lead to picturesque spots, showcasing breathtaking views of the landscape.

12. Exploring Feldberg & Schauinsland

Snow in the Black Forest. View from mountain peak Feldberg, Things to do in Black Forest Germany,

Just a short drive from the city of Freiburg in Breisgau, you’ll find two awesome places: Feldberg and Schauinsland .

Feldberg is super tall – it’s the highest mountain in the Black Forest and even the tallest in Germany if you don’t count the Alps. If you do the hike like this or take a cable car up to the top , you’ll see some really cool views of the whole area.

When winter comes, this place looks like a snowy postcard and is great for skiing so it’s one of the perfect things to do in the Black Forest in winter .

Now, Schauinsland is right outside Freiburg. You can easily get there by car or public buses and trains. It’s a fun spot for a day trip. There are lots of trails to walk or hike , and you get to see some amazing views from there too. Just like Feldberg, in the winter, there’s also skiing here because of the ski places in the area.

13. A Day at Lake Titisee

Lake Titisee, Things to do in Black Forest Germany,

Located right in the middle of Germany’s Black Forest, Lake Titisee is a real gem and one of the best things to see in the Black Forest . The water is super clear and the views are just amazing. It’s a pretty easy trip from Freiburg, so lots of people, both locals and tourists like to visit.

If you want to see the lake up close, you can walk all the way around it. The walk is about 6 kilometres and as you go, you get some great views of the nearby mountains and woods. There are also some cool places to eat along the way where you can grab a bite or just chill with a coffee. And if it gets really hot, you can always jump in the lake to cool off. It’s definitely a must-visit spot!

14. Hidden Gem of Calw

Calw wooden houses, Things to do in Black Forest Germany,

Calw is a cool, little town hidden in the northern part of the Black Forest. A lot of tourists don’t know about it, but it’s worth a visit, it’s one of the hidden gems in the Black Forest.

Walking around, you’ll see old-looking houses made of wood , twisty streets, and cool fountains. The whole vibe of the place is chill and relaxed.

Plus, if you’re into books, you might find it neat that a famous writer named Hermann Hesse was born here in 1877. They even turned his old house into a museum about his life and books. So, if you’re curious about German writers or just want to see a different part of the country, Calw is a great place to check out!

15. Eat Black Forest Gateau

Black forest cake, Things to do in Black Forest Germany,

Lastly, yes, Black Forest Gateau does come from the Black Forest so eating plenty of it should be on your list of things to do in the Black Forest!

I attended a cooking event a few years ago where we made a Black Forest Cake with a baker called Fritz who has a bakery in the Black Forest called- Bäckerei Cafe Konditorei   so I recommend going to his bakery on your trip!

I hope this list of things to do in the Black Forest Germany has helped convince you to visit and helped you plan a trip!

  • For more of my posts from Germany and Europe see:
  • 2 Day Hamburg Itinerary!
  • A First Timer’s Guide to Visiting Berlin!
  • Best Hidden Gems in Europe, 10 Places You Need to Visit!
  • 19 Underrated Destinations in Europe To Visit SOON!
  • 16 BEST Winter Sun Destinations in Europe & Nearby

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Friday 17th of August 2018

What a lovely place to visit, I have never been to Germany before but the Black Forest looks divine - as does the gateau mmmmm yum!

Lynsey || One More Slice

Saturday 28th of April 2018

I visited Bavaria last year and have been desperate to return and explore more of Germany so this October I'm going to the Black Forest and staying in Freiburg! I imagine the leaves are going to gorgeous shades of autumnal colours and the landscapes are just going to be stunning!

I've bookmarked this post and liked the facebook page, so thanks for sharing as it will be valuable for my visit later on in the year! xx

TheWanderingQuinn

Tuesday 1st of May 2018

Hi Lynsey, That sounds great! Yes I bet it will be so gorgeous there in autumn with all the golden leaves! Thats great to hear, thank you for commenting and letting me know! :D x

The World Was Here First

The Perfect 3-Day Black Forest Itinerary

Last Updated on February 1, 2024

by Paola Drexler

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

germany black forest trip

Even if you only have time for a 3-day Black Forest itinerary, there is no doubt that visiting this gorgeous corner of southwestern Germany is 100% worth it.

In German, the forest is called der Schwarzwald, which references the pine trees’ deep dark green colour, making the forest look almost black.

If you are a fan of the Brothers Grimm fairytales, Harry Potter or just love traditional German towns, this destination will deliver in making your wildest dreams come true.

Table of Contents

How Many Days in the Black Forest?

Since the forest’s region is so massive, you might be contemplating how many days to spend in the Black Forest.

Some people only take a day trip to get a quick feel for the area, but I would recommend spending at least 2 days in the Black Forest and even then you can expect your days to be packed and might not get to experience all of the attractions.

However, if you do have an extra day, you will find that 3 days in the Black Forest does give you more time to breathe and enjoy the scenic forest to the fullest. You can even venture outside the area to explore other nearby cities.

As you may well know, the Black Forest is located in Germany’s southwestern state of Baden-Württemberg, spanning the cities of Baden-Baden, Freiburg, Offenburg and Pforzheim. You will also find the Rhine River, which reaches other popular cities like Frankfurt and Heidelberg , in the south and west of the forest.

Although the forest is magical all year round, the best time to visit the Black Forest is during the warmer seasons to ensure you can do all the outdoor activities.

View of the Black Forest

Getting To & Around the Black Forest

You will be happy to hear that it is quite easy to get to and around the Black Forest, whether your preferred mode of transportation is by car, train or other methods.

If you are flying in, you will find that the closest airport depends on where you start your journey. For example, near the French/Swiss/German three-way border, you will have the Basel Airport which has great access from big cities like Frankfurt , Amsterdam and London .

You can also find the smaller Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport on the western side of the forest. The third and probably best option is the Stuttgart Airport, which is the largest of the three and also serves some discount airline carriers.  

For those who wish to plan your Black Forest travel itinerary by car, you can rent one at the airport or other available locations, just be sure to reserve in advance.

It’s also a great idea if you want to go beyond the Black Forest and embark on a greater Germany road trip. You can browse rental car options here .

Although exploring by car might be a convenient option, you can also complete your Black Forest trip by train. You can take a direct train from many of Germany’s major cities and it’s also quite accessible from neighbouring countries.

With train routes running alongside the forest, you can explore the different areas on foot and hop on The Black Forest Railway or other railway links to get around the grand forest. You can view schedules here.

Travellers on holiday can receive a free KONUS Guest Card at most resorts, just be sure to register with your host beforehand. This card allows for unlimited access to public transportation in the area.

If you are not eligible for a KONUS card, you can also purchase a SchwarzwaldCard that not only provides bus and train rides but also gives you access to 200 attractions. With this card, you can choose any three days to use it which is perfect for your 3 days in the Black Forest.

Lake Titisee

3-Day Black Forest Itinerary

Often, when people imagine a traditional German trip, they might think of the wooden half-timbered houses, giant cuckoo clocks and neverending lush green forest.

All of that, including cute red hats, delicious meat cuts, Black Forest cake and so much more can be found in this incredible area. If you are in search of something mystical, you will be sure to find it – whether it be through the magical food or sights.

Day 1 – Klotser Maulbronn, Calw & Baden-Baden

You will begin your journey just outside of Pforzheim, the city that is nicknamed “Goldstadt” or “Golden City.” Should a start in the south be more convenient (e.g. by flying into Basel airport), you can simply reverse the order of the days. Should you have more time at the beginning, consider a visit to Schloss Karlsruhe before beginning, especially if you love grand baroque palaces.

Kloster Maulbronn and Calw

Just a twenty-minute drive from Pforzheim, you will come across Maulbronn where you can visit a historic UNESCO World Heritage Site and well-preserved monastery from 1147 known as Kloster Maulbronn or Maulbronn Monastery.

Over the years it has seen its fair share of success and hardship, but today you can find the town’s police station, town hall and other offices on the grounds. 

Make your way down to Pforzheim, where its watchmaking and jewellery history is rich since these businesses date back to 1767.

Now that you are officially in the Black Forest, you will travel deeper into the forest until you reach Calw, which is a tiny town in the northern part of the forest. Here you can see some of the most beautiful medieval houses framed with timber that look just like what you would imagine a typical Black Forest village to look like.

Maulbronn Monastery

Treetop Walk

Your next stop, at the Treetop Walk, will give you a lovely walkway where you will have the tops of the evergreen trees at eye level and you will see the forest from above. This is more than a typical hiking trail, it’s truly an experience.

The walkway will lead you to the observation tower where you will have a great view of the Black Forest and feel closer to nature than ever.

Baden-Baden Spas and Wine Route

After your treetop adventures, it’s time to head to Baden-Baden where you will get a chance to enjoy the calm side of the forest. If you have ever wondered what it was like to pamper yourself with a relaxing day at a spa during your trip to the Black Forest, well then you can find that out here.

You will also see that although Baden is the name of the region, the word also translates to bathing and the area takes its name seriously.

Baden-Baden is a great place to end your first day. You can check with your accommodations whether they have a spa you can enjoy or you can book a time with a spa nearby, like Caracalla Therme, to take a drink from the Fountain of Youth and enjoy a thermal bath. The town is famous for its thermal water springs which have attracted visitors for centuries.

However, before calling it a day you can indulge a bit more at the Baden Wine Route. Here you can learn all about the vineyards and delicious wine growing in the area. With most vineyards offering wine tastings, you can find out what wine in this part of Germany is all about.

Alternatively, you can end your day exploring more nature in the area, including the lovely Lake Mummelsee and the nearby Allerheiligen Waterfalls.

The Kurhaus in Baden Baden

Day 2 – Freiburg & Titisee

On the second day of your Black Forest road trip itinerary , you will drive south, passing the town of Gengenbach. Depending on the time of year you are visiting the area, you might be able to catch the town’s Fasnacht or carnival festivities where people celebrate with parades and wear costumes.

Black Forest Open Air Museum

The next stop is the Black Forest Open Air Museum in Gutach, where you will learn the history of the town’s iconic wooden farmhouses dating back to the 16th century.

In the immersive experience, you will also get a taste of what life was like in the Black Forest. When you are done at the museum, get back into your car or get the next train towards Freiburg am Breisgau.

Freiburg Cathedral

Once you reach Freiburg, you will follow the alluring church bell chimes beaconing you to the Freiburg Cathedral. To match the mystical and gothic atmosphere enjoy a great view of the city and forest from the top of the cathedral.

During the winter in December, you can find joyous Christmas markets to add some extra magic to your trip. If you are visiting in February you can enjoy the town’s carnival or if you go a few months later you can experience the fun wine festivals.

Just outside of Freiburg, you can also find the Schauinsland cable car which will give you incredible views of the mountains and the forest.

Freiburg

Titisee-Neustadt and Lake

After Freiburg, you will head southeast to discover the stunning Titisee-Neustadt area. On the way to Titisee, you will drive by the Ravenna Gorge, which is a valley carved by the Ravenna River where you will see an extraordinary bridge.

You will continue down the Black Forest route until you come across a charming town with all the authentic Cuckoo clocks you have heard of, along with the region’s most mouthwatering cheese and meat cuts in the shops lining the lake in the city centre of Titisee-Neustadt.

No matter the time of year, you can enjoy the glorious Lake Titisee and the various activities surrounding it. In the warm times, you can swim in it, picnic near the shore or stroll around. In colder times, if the lake freezes, you can even ice skate on it.

You will end your second day strolling the street of Titisee-Neustadt, exploring the region’s delicacies and perhaps enjoying some local schnapps. Or, if you’re still keen to see more incredible nature, head to the nearby Feldberg to enjoy some gorgeous mountain scenery.

Bridge over Ravenna Gorge

Day 3 – Triberg Waterfalls, Burg Huhenzollern, Europa Park & More

To end your 3 days in this enchanted forest with a bang, you will have a few options to choose from. There are plenty of activities to do in the forest for those who enjoy hiking, roaming the wildlife park and outdoor fun things but there are also many day trip adventures nearby.

Triberg Waterfalls

For travellers looking to spend more time in nature, you can head north from Titisee to Triberg to continue your Black Forest road trip.

In the middle of the forest, after a leisurely hike, you will come across the Triberg Waterfalls. If the weather allows it when you reach the falls, you can reward yourself with a refreshing dip into the water and enjoy the impressive waterfalls.

Triberg Waterfall

Burg Huhenzollern

After Triberg, just about an hour northeast you will find the magnificent Huhenzollern Castle which comes straight out of a fairytale and is a fantastic place to visit when planning to explore the Black Forest.

While this castle is extremely impressive, you will find it interesting to learn that there were actually two other castles built on Mount Huhenzollern before the current castle. The construction of the first castle dates back to the 11th century and reconstruction for the third castle started around 1850.

Visitors can now tour the castle and imagine themselves as royalty when strolling the rooms and grounds.

Danube River Source

From Titisee, you can travel 30 minutes east to the Danube River in Donaueschingen. The river flows through 10 countries and has become a significant landmark in European history.

If you wish to continue exploring Germany or other countries, you can easily do so on a river cruise on the Danube.

In Donaueschingen, you will also find what is known as the source of the Danube as well as the Fürstenberg brewery.

Donaueschingen

Europa Park

For those with kids or who are young at heart, you can spend the day in Rust at the amusement park Europa Park.

The theme park is the largest in Germany and after Disneyland Paris the second most popular in Europe. The diverse themes within the park are meant to give most European countries a representation.

No matter where your third day takes you, you will be sure to have a great last day in German’s wonderful Black Forest.

If you’re not interested in the theme park, then consider heading to the gorgeous town of Schiltach, located on the Kinzig River. This is a charming medieval town to visit in the Black Forest.

Where to Stay in the Black Forest

Huber’s Hotel – This 3-star hotel in Baden-Baden is an excellent base for mid-range travellers in the Black Forest. They have single and double rooms on offer, parking is included on-site and there is breakfast available in the mornings.

Hotel Rebenhof – Located about 10 kilometres from the centre of Baden-Baden and overlooking the beautiful wine region, this luxe hotel is an excellent base for those looking for a high-end escape in the Black Forest. They have countless lovely rooms on offer and a number of wonderful amenities to ensure you have the perfect stay.

limehome Baden-Baden Bäderstraße – If you’d like to return to your own apartment after a long day of exploring the Black Forest region, then you’re sure to love this aparthotel in Baden-Baden. They have a range of flats on offer that are fully furnished with everything you may need.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Black Forest hotels!

The Black Forest is sure to enchant all those who get to visit. Now that you’ve planned out what to do in this beautiful area, you can sit back and enjoy the soothing sounds of the Cuckoo clocks while digging into a delicious cherry torte in the mystifying forest.

Are you planning to visit the Black Forest? Have any questions about this itinerary? Let us know in the comments!

germany black forest trip

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Paola

About Paola Drexler

Paola is a writer for The World Was Here First. Originally from the state of Arizona in the USA, she lived in Germany before moving to the United Kingdom. Paola loves spending her free time travelling in Europe and sometimes ever further afield.

hello Paola, we will be in Vishofen and have 4 days to explore on our own after that. We would like to see picturesque scenery and small towns, not really interested in large cities. The romantic road? the Black Forest? someplace else? Are either of those possible in 4 days by car? Should we take a train to get closer, then rent a car? We need to end up near an international airport to fly to or towards the USA on the 5th day. I wish we knew someone personally that has been to this part of the world, but we do not. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Betsy

Hi Paola, Could you tell us the best place to stay in the black forest where they make cookoo clocks, we would like to get one for our 50th anniversary, l have checked the clocks on line but would prefer to see them working. l can not walk very far at a time so would prefer to be in the area and check out all the stores

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Eifel Forest, Germany

The Black Forest

As deep, dark and delicious as its famous cherry gateau, the Black Forest gets its name from its canopy of evergreens. With deeply carved valleys, thick woodlands, luscious meadows, stout timber farmhouses and wispy waterfalls, it looks freshly minted for a kids' bedtime story. Wandering on its many miles of forest trails, you half expect to bump into a wicked witch or huntsman, and might kick yourself for not bringing those breadcrumbs to retrace your tracks…

Your next trip starts here

Go from dreaming to planning with trip planning options made to help you craft your ideal itinerary.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Freiburg Minster cathedral night view

Freiburger Münster

With its lacy spires, cheeky gargoyles and intricate entrance portal, Freiburg’s 11th-century minster cuts an impressive figure above the central market…

Vogtsbauernhof

Vogtsbauernhof

The Schwarzwälder Freilichtmuseum spirals around the Vogtsbauernhof, a self-contained early-17th-century farmstead. Farmhouses shifted from their original…

The hunting lodge, 1752-1785, architects Friedrich von Kesslau and Balthasar Neumann, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany

From the baroque-meets-neoclassical Schloss, Karlsruhe’s 32 streets radiate like the spokes of a wheel. Karl Wilhelm, margrave of Baden-Durlach, named his…

Germany, Baden-Wurttemburg, Baden-Baden, Museum Frieder Burda, modern art museum, exterior, dawn

Museum Frieder Burda

Baden-Baden

A Joan Miró sculpture guards the front of this architecturally innovative gallery, designed by Richard Meier. The star-studded collection of modern and…

Small bottles of "Monkey 47" gin are offered at a stand at the eat&STYLE food festival in Hamburg, Germany, 11 November 2016. Germany's biggest food festival "eat&STYLE" was opened at the Hamburg "Schuppen 52". The festival offers current food trends and workshops for visitors. Photo: Christian Charisius/dpa | usage worldwide   (Photo by Christian Charisius/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Embracing the global craft gin craze, Monkey 47 has scooped awards for its batch-distilled, handcrafted dry gin, with piney, peppery notes. Distillery…

Photo Taken In Rottweil, Germany

Sticking out above Rottweil like a sore thumb, the futuristic, environmentally progressive Testturm is the brainchild of steel-engineering giant…

Triberg waterfalls

Triberger Wasserfälle

Niagara they ain’t but Germany’s highest waterfalls do exude their own wild romanticism. The Gutach River feeds the seven-tiered falls, which drop a total…

Nationalpark Schwarzwald

Nationalpark Schwarzwald

Schwarzwaldhochstrasse

An outdoor wonderland of heather-speckled moors, glacial cirque lakes, deep valleys, mountains and near-untouched coniferous forest, the Black Forest…

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Dec 5, 2019 • 2 min read

A gargantuan indoor-outdoor combination water park - the size of five football fields - has opened in Germany's Black Forest.

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The Black Forest and beyond

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The Top 12 Things to Do in Germany's Black Forest

germany black forest trip

GettyImages / Markus Lange

Far from being a dark and gloomy forest straight from the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm, the Schwarzwald is a fantastical setting for magical landscapes and charming half-timbered towns and villages. A top destination within Germany, attractions range from a treetop path to spa towns to roller coasters to one very famous cake.

Located in southwest Germany in the state of Baden-Württemberg (only about 2.5 hours from Frankfurt's busy airport ), discover this enchanting region of Germany that has beguiled visitors since Roman times. Here are the top 12 things to do in the Black Forest.

Walk Among the Treetops

Getty Images / Travel Ink

A visit to the Schwarzwald is not complete without a stop in the forest. Baumwipfelpfad Schwarzwald (Black Forest treetop path) is a winding 4,100-foot wooden walkway that takes visitors through the treetops to experience the forest on a whole different level.

Meander by beeches, firs, and spruces at a height of 67 feet with panoramic views. It is particularly lovely in fall when the trees are awash in color. For kids who might have trouble appreciating the wonder of endless trees, entice them with a ride down the observation tower's massive slide. Back on the ground, the tree cover is so strong it is dark and mysterious throughout the year.

For more untouched nature, nearby Nationalpark Schwarzwald was opened in 2014 and is the only park of its kind in the state of Baden-Württemberg. This picturesque area features over 40 square miles of trees, lakes, and peaceful landscapes.

Look up at the Münster of Freiburg

GettyImages / Gonzalo Azumendi

The woods seem to crowd right up to the cultivated city of Freiburg . A cheerful university town built around the münster (cathedral), it largely survived WWII and its ornate buildings look like they are straight out of a Grimm's fairy tale.

You should spend some time admiring the Freiburger Münster and its stunning spire that dates back to the year 1200, but don't forget the other medieval structures that surround it (like the colorful 16th-century Kaufhaus ) . If you arrive during market hours (every day except Sunday from about 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.), enjoy the best of local goods and cuisine such as the Lange Rote (long red) sausage, jokingly refereed to as "Freiburg's shortest landmark."

Drive Some of the Most Scenic Roads in Germany

GettyImages / Marco Bottigelli

Germany is a great place to go for a drive. While many car lovers dream of going full throttle on the autobahn, some of the best routes are more about the journey than how fast you get there.

One of the most beautiful drives in Germany is the Schwarzwald Hochstrasse (B500). The 37-mile road from Baden-Baden to Mummelsee to Freudenstadt boasts endless mountains, valleys, and lakes, and there are biking and hiking trails should you wish to get out and explore.

The Deutsche Uhrenstraße (German Clock Road) provides another adventure. This circular route runs an impressive 199 miles between Triberg, St. Peter, Lake Titisee, Villingen-Schwenningen, and other towns. Along with admiring gorgeous scenery, you can learn everything there is to know about clocks with factory tours and deals on cuckoo clocks.

Buy a Cuckoo Clock

A cuckoo clock is one of the most sought-after gifts from Germany. They range in style and quality, but they usually feature intricate wood carving and the delightful call of the cuckoo bird at the top of the hour. Although cheaper souvenir clocks are widely available, authentic clocks still are made in the Schwarzwald and must be certified by the Verein die Schwarzwalduhr (known as VdS or "Black Forest Clock Association" in English).

Stops on the Deutsche Uhrenstraße include the Deutsches Uhrenmuseum (German Clock Museum in Furtwangen) and the world’s largest cuckoo clock in Eble Uhren-Park in Triberg.

Scream Your way Through Europa-Park

Germany’s largest theme park is brimming with hair-raising roller coasters, water rides, live entertainment, and accommodations for the whole family. Situated on 85 hectares, the park offers more than 100 attractions, some of which alternate to fit the season (think theatre in the summer and ice skating shows in the winter). Among the 13 impressive roller coasters are the Euro-Mi—based on Soviet space missions—and Iceland's Blue Fire, which twists and turns over the water. In addition to the rides, a roaming cast of characters enliven the European-themed lands.

Relax in Baden-Baden

GettyImages / Doug Pearson

One of the oldest spa towns in Europe, Baden-Baden has been a luxury destination since Roman times with its casino, horse racing, fine restaurants, and healing springs. A visit to the town is not complete without seeing the illustrious Kurhaus; this Versailles-inspired spa complex dates from 1824 and is made up of vivid frescoes, Corinthian columns, and views of the river Oos.

The waters of Baden-Baden produce around 211,338 gallons of thermal water a day and have drawn an endless stream of visitors from Mark Twain to Kaiser Wilhelm I and Queen Victoria. Spa options are endless in this elegant city, but the  Friedrichsbad is the most traditional. The historic bathing temple offers 17 stages so visitors can fully experience the healing properties of the mineral water.

Walk Up to Germany’s Highest Waterfall

Besides being home to the world's largest cuckoo clock, Triberg is a wonderful example of a typical Black Forest town. What really sets it apart, though, are the easily accessible and impressive Triberg Falls. They are promoted as Germany’s highest waterfalls—although that honor might actually lie with Röthbachfall in the Berchtesgaden area.

No matter: The falls are no doubt breathtaking. With an overall drop of 207 feet over seven cascades, they draw around half a million visitors per year. Well maintained paths offer full accessibility until 10 p.m., when the falls are picturesquely lit.

Experience Olden Times in the Black Forest Open Air Museum

GettyImages / Richard Klune

One of the most visited open-air museums in Germany, the Schwarzwälder Freilichtmuseum Vogtsbauernhof allows visitors to see how the Black Forest has operated for hundreds of years. As visitors wander through 17 acres featuring six farmhouses from the 16th to 19th centuries, museum workers demonstrate traditional crafts in Gutach costume. Along with woodworking and straw painting, there is, of course, an exhibition of cuckoo clocks.

There are free guided tours in German and in English; care is taken to entertain the youngest visitors with livestock, a playground, antique toys, and crafts.

Walk Into a Fairy Tale During the Holiday Season

Even when the sun is shining, this quaint town of half-timbered houses and cobblestone streets crackles with jolly energy. The embodiment of a charming Black Forest village, Gengenbach is known throughout Germany for its Christmas market and legendary advent calendar , which encompasses the entire façade of the 200-year-old Rathaus (town hall).

Go Swimming in Titisee Lake

  GettyImages / István Kovács 

One of the region's top attractions, Titisee is both the biggest and highest natural lake in the Black Forest. Though it might sound a little funny in English, the views around the lake are nothing to laugh about.

Formed by a glacier, the 1.2-mile lake is crystal clear and a haven for swimming, sailing, or any other water-based activity you can think of. Step out of the water for a 90-minute hike or shorter bike ride around the lake with unbeatable views. In the winter, the lake often freezes over and becomes a natural skating rink.

Stop and Smell the Roses

GettyImages / Coco Casablanca

If you like your flora tamed as well as wild, Rosenneuheitengarten auf dem Beutig (Rose Society Garden) is an explosion of color in the summer. Roses abound from every angle as they stretch overhead in arches, peek from behind hedges, and line the tidy pathways. In June, the garden hosts a series of Rose Concerts where Baden-Baden's Philharmonic Orchestra plays among the blooms for a magical experience.

Have your Black Forest Cake and Eat it, Too

GettyImages / LauriPatterson

Schwarzwalder kirschtorte, or Black Forest Cake, is a popular dessert in and outside of Germany. Moist layers of sponge cake are soaked in Schwarzwälder Kirschwasser (Black Forest cherry schnapps), interspersed with thick cream and sour cherries, and topped with dark chocolate shavings.

And remember, you can't survive on sugar alone, so round out your culinary itinerary with maultaschen, spätzle, and plenty of schwein .

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THAT BACKPACKER - A travel blog about food, culture and adventure.

Our Black Forest Road Trip: A 2-Day Itinerary for First Time Visitors

Our recent Black Forest road trip was one of the highlights of our travels in Germany ! This destination had been on our travel bucket list ever since we first caught a glimpse of the Black Forest on a short visit to Freiburg. We knew we wanted to come back to explore, and we finally made it…several years later. 

If you’re looking for deep, dark forests that look like the perfect setting for a Grimm fairy tale, hiking trails that weave their way past creeks and waterfalls, and charming lakeside towns with half-timbered houses , then the Black Forest is the place for you!

This is a destination with a strong focus on nature and the outdoors, and I would say the Black Forest is also best done as a road trip since that gives you the flexibility and mobility to explore at your own pace and enjoy the scenery along the way . 

So, without further ado, here’s our 2-day itinerary for a magical Black Forest road trip!

Ultimate Black Forest Road Trip Itinerary

Stay at hofgut sternen.

Before we dive into our Black Forest itinerary, I want to let you know where we stayed, because this place is a destination in and of itself. We spent 2 nights at Hofgut Sternen , located in what’s known as The Black Forest Village resort complex. 

This is a historical hotel that has welcomed many famous guests including Marie Antoinette – you can see a mural painted on the exterior of the hotel that depicts her arrival after a long journey . Her visit would have been in May 1770 when she was on her way to Paris to marry King Louis XVI, and she would have arrived with an entire entourage made up of 21 state coaches, 36 carriages and 450 horses.

Other famous guests at this hotel have included German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the French Emperor Napoleon III, and the English novelist Anthony Trollope. So, it’s fair to say you’re in good company if you stay here!

Our Black Forest Road Trip: A 2-Day Itinerary for First Time Visitors: Hofgut Sternen is a historical hotel in the Black Forest.

There is also quite a bit to see and do within the Black Forest Village. For starters, you have the Ravenna bridge, which runs directly behind the hotel. This is a railway viaduct that crosses the Ravenna Gorge at a height of 58 meters (you can see the trains go by every few minutes!)

Ravenna Bridge in the Black Forest, Germany

Just behind the bridge, there’s a hiking trail through the woods and it’s what Black Forest dreams are made of! You have a meandering trail through thick forest, a babbling brook flowing across moss-covered stones, fallen logs on a bed of crunchy leaves and squishy pine needles, and a beautiful canopy through which sun rays beam down. The Black Forest is a hiker’s paradise with something new at every turn!

Hiking in Germany's Black Forest (Schwarzwald)

Another popular attraction at Hofgut Sternen is the giant cuckoo clock. This is the largest clock in the entire Black Forest Highlands complete with life-sized dancing figures that emerge on the hour. If you want to take a cuckoo clock back home as a souvenir, you’re in luck because Hofgut Sternen has a shop that sells cuckoo clocks in all shapes and sizes.

Giant cuckoo clock at Hofgut Sternen in the Black Forest

And if cuckoo clocks aren’t your thing, there is a glassblowing workshop on site, as well as a shop selling Sternen glass. So as you can see, there’s plenty to do at this Black Forest Village resort!

Take a boat trip on Titisee

One of the towns we visited during our road trip through the Black Forest was Titisee, a small town that sits on the edge of Lake Titisee.

Titisee, one of the villages we visited on our Black Forest road trip

Since Lake Titisee is the main attraction, we joined a boat tour with Drubba Bootsvermietung & Rundfahrten and travelled aboard their ship, Titus, which is a replica of a Roman galley. Local legend says the lake was named after General Titus Flavius Vespasianus, who was Roman Emperor around 69-79 AD. He is said to have camped around this lake during one of his military campaigns, so he called it Titunsee, which today is Titisee.

How much of this is true and how much is myth that has been embellished over the millennia, nobody knows. But regardless, it is a cool spot to visit!

While we were in Titisee, we also ate at Café Seeblick, a relaxed cafe with an outdoor terrace and lake views. Here we tried their süßer Flammkuchen . This is a German-style thin crust pizza and we ordered the dessert version with apples, sultanas and cinnamon. This was my first time trying a sweet dessert pizza, and it won’t be my last!

Hire a row boat in Schluchsee

Another place we really enjoyed on our Black Forest road trip was the town of Schluchsee which sits on the edge of a lake by the same name. This is the largest lake in the Black Forest and also the highest reservoir in Germany .

We enjoyed a leisurely stroll along the lakeside path, and that eventually led us to a boat rental area on the beach. There were row boats, paddle boats, electric boats – you name it!

Row boat ride in Schluchsee in Germany's Black Forest.

It was such a beautiful day and the water was so calm that we decided to take out a row boat. It was a really fun experience and a nice way to take in the scenery . I would highly recommend doing so for anyone visiting Schluchsee!

Spend the day in Sankt Blasien

The next stop on our Black Forest road trip itinerary was the town of Sankt Blasien. This is actually a popular health resort town with thermal baths, sauna gardens, and spa facilities. However, since we were only there for the day, we prioritized visiting St. Blasien Cathedral .

The cathedral is dedicated to St. Blasius, the early Christian bishop and martyr, who is also the patron saint of the town of Sankt Blasien in the Black Forest.

Sculpture of the patron saint of Sankt Blasien.

What makes this cathedral special is that its early classical cupola is the largest of its kind north of the Alps . It is 36 metres wide, 62 metres high, and a true work of art. The interior is also stark white with very minimal colour in the dome, and the windows along the cupola allow a lot of natural light in.

Saint Blaise Cathedral in Germany's Black Forest

After visiting the cathedral, we walked over to Dom-Hotel St. Blasien just across the square, where we enjoyed a really nice lunch. Sam ordered the Maultaschen , which is a Swabian dish consisting of sheets of dough filled with minced meat. These were served in der Brühe , so they were simmered in a broth and served like a soup with bits of bacon.

Maultaschen, which is a Swabian dish consisting of sheets of dough filled with minced meat.

Meanwhile, I ordered the Gulaschsuppe , or Hungarian goulash soup. I opted for a slightly smaller dish because I was really interested in the desserts. And as you know, when you come to the Black Forest, you have to order the Black Forest Cake!

Black Forest cake or Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte

Known as Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte , this is a chocolate sponge cake with a cherry filling, whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Simply marvellous!

And if I can recommend one more thing to try, it would be the Johannisbeereschorle . This was my first time trying currant or gooseberry juice, and I ordered it as a Schorle , so diluted with carbonated water. It was really nice!

Enjoy nature in Menzenschwand

Now let’s talk about beautiful nature spots! Our Black Forest road trip also included a visit to Menzenschwand and what drew us here were the hiking trails.

For anyone interested in a short hike with big rewards, I would say Menzenschwander Waterfall is it!

You can drive right up to the parking lot across from Albhof am Wasserfall and you’ll be up at the waterfall in less than 5 minutes. Alternatively, if you can handle about 30 minutes on foot, you can park at Parkplatz Menzenschwand Hinterdorf and enjoy a scenic walk through a glacier-carved valley.

Hiking to the Menzenschwander Waterfall on our Black Forest road trip

The hiking trail follows a stream which flows through the gorge and then cascades down the rocks. It’s a beautiful walk that offers plenty of shade and the path meanders down stairs and across a wooden bridge.

Admire the views atop Feldberg 

Standing at 1,493 metres, Feldberg is the highest mountain peak in the Black Forest, as well as the state of Baden-Württemberg, and that also makes it the highest mountain peak outside of the German Alps!

In the winter, this is a popular ski resort area, and in the summertime, it’s a nice hiking destination with plenty of trails to choose from.

Riding the Feldberg cable car in Germany's Black Forest.

We decided to take the Feldbergbahn cable car to the top for a scenic view of the Black Forest, and we were in for a treat because it turns out you can even see the Alps from here! I almost couldn’t believe my eyes – at first, I thought I was looking at clouds – but lo and behold, there were snow-capped mountains off on the horizon.

Once you get off at the upper station which sits at an altitude of 1,450 meters, it’s a short walk to the Feldberg Tower viewing platform. We even got to see cows grazing along the way.

Grazing cows on a mountaintop in Germany's Black Forest.

Lastly, as a tip, don’t forget to check when the last cable car goes down. We barely caught the last one with minutes to spare, and if you miss it, you’re hiking down!

And that concludes our short but action-packed 2-day road trip in Germany’s Black Forest! I hope this gave you a few ideas of some things to do and places to visit on your own travels. 

We then continued onwards to Freiburg for 48 hours if you want to read more about our trip.

This trip was made possible in partnership with the German National Tourist Board.

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The Black Forest Travel Guide

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As the setting of countless Grimm Brothers’ fairy tales, the Black Forest happily plays up to its image as a land of cuckoo clocks, cherry gâteaux, outlandish traditional garb, hefty half-timbered farmhouses and hill upon hill of dark evergreen forest. But even brief exploration soon reveals more of the character of a region that’s part of the state of Baden-Württemburg but was shaped as much by its history as a long-disputed borderland between Germany, France and Switzerland – and where something of each is in evidence.

Baden-Baden

The kinzig and gutach valleys, the northern black forest, the southern black forest, the cuckoo clock.

Since Roman times this series of rounded granite summits, which topographically forms a counterpart to France’s Vosges on the other, western, side of the Rhine Valley, has been a border region. The Romans found it harsh and rather impenetrable and the region took centuries to populate and even then was considered an oddly backward part of Germany.

Inevitably the Black Forest first rose to commercial prominence for its timber, and forestry naturally spawned woodwork – giving farmers something to do in the winter – and so the famous cuckoo-clock industry, the associated precision engineering, and the manufacture of musical instruments followed. All these continue to provide jobs, though the regional mainstay is now tourism, which continues year-round thanks to skiing and spa facilities. So you won’t find yourself alone exploring this attractive region, but escaping the crowds at the various hotspots is easy, particularly if you’re keen to explore on foot or by bike.

Relative to its fame, the Black Forest region is not terribly big – about 150km long and maybe 50km wide – and so easily explored by car in just a few days, though of course that rather misses the chance to drop down a gear in one of Germany’s most treasured regions where good scenery is matched by many time-honoured traditions.

Dozens of attractive slow-paced small towns and villages make touring a delight, but perhaps the best way to explore is to base yourself in one of the two largest towns and strike out from there. The most genteel base is Baden-Baden , a grand old nineteenth-century spa town in the north that specializes in dignified recuperation and pampering.

Bad Wildbad, is another smaller, less expensive alternative in the Northern Black Forest , which is otherwise known for its attractive marked drives, particularly the scenic Schwarzwaldhochstrasse , or the Badische Weinstrasse , which travels the range’s foothills through wine country. Both drives can be used to access the attractive Kinzig Valley which, along with the adjoining Gutach Valley , is considered the most quintessential and traditional Black Forest area. South of here, the attractive and upbeat university town of Freiburg dominates. Exploring its usually sun-soaked narrow streets is fun, but its main attraction is as a handy base from which to explore the entire Southern Black Forest . Deep valleys are flanked by rounded peaks like the Feldberg that tops out at 1493m, and include many minor ski and lake resorts.

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Explore Northern Germany on Your Own

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Capitals of Europe - Berlin, Prague, Vienna and more

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Best of Germany

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Exclusive trip to Prague and Austria

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Discover Saxony

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The smart and dignified grande dame of German spas, BADEN-BADEN lies cradled in the palm of idyllic and gentle wooded hills, 42km south of Karlsruhe. In the nineteenth century this was the St Tropez of high society and something of this era’s privilege survives in the dusty elegance of its villas, hotels and boutiques and in the manicured gardens where well-groomed socialites promenade. The absence of any heavyweight sights, moreover, helps make it a near perfect setting for a recuperative weekend.

Brief history

Baden margraves built today’s thermal baths in 1810 around the same springs that once lured Roman bathers – in particular Emperor Caracalla – nearly two millennia earlier. The baths were a hit in nineteenth-century Germany, so architect Friedrich Weinbrenner designed a complementary Neoclassical spa quarter. Some thirty years later, dapper Parisian impresario Jacques Bénazet added a casino, catapulting Baden-Baden to an elite playground that lured an international who’s-who to play, promenade and soothe their rheumatic joints: Tolstoy, Strauss, Queen Victoria, Kaiser Wilhelm I, Dostoyevsky, Bismarck, Tchaikovsky, Brahms and the Vanderbilts all visited. More recent visitors have included Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Victoria Beckham. Mark Twain came too, but had mixed feelings, describing it as “an inane town, filled with sham and petty fraud and snobbery”. The town emerged unscathed from World War II and now effortlessly blends its halcyon days with modern-day pampering.

The high life: hot-air ballooning in Baden-Baden

As a premier magnet for the well-heeled, it’s maybe no surprise that Baden-Baden has Europe’s largest fleet of hot-air balloons. So if you’ve struck it lucky at the casino, you might like to splurge on a two-hour champagne breakfast flight along the Rhine Valley between the Black Forest and the Vosges for €253 per person with Ballooning 2000 (07223 600 02, ballooning2000.de ).

When to choose your hat carefully

Baden-Baden’s social highlight of the year is the August Iffezheim races , Germany’s Ascot, which has been going strong since 1858 and encompasses two events: the Frühjahrsmeeting over the last week of May; and the grander Grosse Woche in the last week in August, when the country’s elite dress to the nines and don flamboyant hats.

The Kinzig and Gutach valleys are quintessential Black Forest landscapes; they’re also the birthplace of many of its most eccentric folk costumes, and cuckoo clocks are sold here by the tonne. From Baden-Baden the region is most attractively accessed along the twisty and scenic Schwarzwaldhochstrasse , which leads to the northeastern end of the steep-sided and densely forested Kinzig Valley , the horseshoe-shaped hub of the Black Forest’s largest valley system, dotted with a series of picturesque small towns. Particularly appealing are the monastery and brewery town of Alpirsbach , and the quaint gathering of half-timbered houses at Schiltach . For generations this remote valley made its money logging and farming, and its modest and fairly sleepy communities celebrate this heritage with various evocative museums, including the open-air Schwarzwälder Freilichtmuseum , one of the region’s premier sights, just up the feeder valley of the River Gutach . This small stream is responsible for the broad 25km-long Gutach Valley, famous for its Bollenhut , a black hat with red pompoms worn as a traditional folk costume by women and reproduced in tourist literature throughout the region. Close to the head of the valley lies Triberg , the Black Forest’s most touristy town, packed with cuckoo-clock shops and coach parties and probably worth avoiding unless you’re after a chirping time-piece – in which case you’ll certainly want to visit the good, nearby clock museum at Furtwangen too.

The Schwarzwälder Freilichtmuseum

Just over 1km south of the Gutach’s confluence with the Kinzig lies the Schwarzwälder Freilichtmuseum , an open-air museum focused on an old farm – the Vogtsbauernhof – that has been here since 1570. Its huge roof is typical of the local traditional building style and the sort of place that caused Jerome K. Jerome to comment: “The great charm about a Black Forest house is its sociability: the cows are in the next room, the horses are upstairs, the geese and ducks in the kitchen, while the pigs, children and chickens live all over the place.”

The 26 other buildings in the complex – which include a sawmill, granary, bakery, distillery, smithy and chapel – have been moved here from elsewhere to create a rather phoney little village. But great effort has gone into authentically furnishing them all and costumed guides doing craft demonstrations help bring the place alive and broaden the appeal.

From where it meets the Kinzig Valley, the Gutach Valley progressively narrows then climbs to a point some 1000m above sea level after 20km, where the air is so pure it once made the town of TRIBERG a health resort. But this was long ago, and today the town is obsessed with only one thing: the cuckoo clock. Thousands are on sale here and the tourist traffic the industry spawns can be nightmarish; but if you embrace the kitsch and are in the market for a clock, it can be fun.

The long, thin Marktplatz that follows the main road through town is its natural focus, with a large pilgrimage church, or Wallfahrtskirche, looming over it decked out in florid Baroque. But the busiest end of town is uphill from here at a bend in the main road, where clock shops are squeezed together. They’re an attraction in themselves (see The cuckoo clock), and certainly as well visited as the town’s two other main attractions nearby.

Though plenty of small towns and villages dot the Northern Black Forest, most are of little specific interest, though Bad Wildbad does offer an alternative spa town to Baden-Baden. Instead this region is best known for its scenic drives, including the Badische Weinstrasse , which travels through the strip of vineyards that line the Rhine Valley and is home to Europa-Park , Germany’s largest amusement-park. Just east, above the valley, another waymarked drive, the Schwarzwaldhochstrasse is considered the classic scenic drive in the Black Forest.

Europa-Park

Though not that well-known beyond Germany’s borders, the Europa-Park is one of Europe’s premier theme-parks and a sure-fire kid-pleaser, with about fifty rides in an area around the size of eighty football pitches and set amid a number of villages themed by European country. Located 35km north of Frieburg near the village of Rust, it’s particularly convenient for drivers heading between Strasbourg or Karlsruhe and the Swiss Alps.

The Badische Weinstrasse

The Badische Weinstrasse (Badische Wine Road), a 160km-long waymarked route that winds through the foothills of the Black Forest, cuts through vineyards and past ruined castles on its way from Baden-Baden to Freiburg. It’s an attractive alternative to the motorway corridor along the Rhine Valley for north- or south-bound travellers with time on their hands, and particularly those with an interest in sampling and buying fine wines.

The tiny town of Durbach , some 50km south of Baden-Baden along the Badische Weinstrasse , amid rolling vineyards and overlooked by the impressive Schloss Staufenberg , is a perfect stop and of particular interest to wine lovers for its excellent Durbacher Winzergenossenschaft (wine co-operative; Mon–Fri 8am–noon, Sat 9am–12.30pm), a shop with a great selection of distinguished and well-priced local wines that’s liberal with its samples. It’s signposted and just off the main road at the centre of Durbach.

The Schwarzwaldhochstrasse

There are various routes from Baden-Baden into the heart of the Black Forest, but the most attractive is probably the magnificent Schwarzwaldhochstrasse – the Black Forest Highway or B500 – which climbs from Baden-Baden through an idyllic combination of pines and meadows, valleys and peaks to Freudenstadt. The route may only be 60km long but it’s worth taking about half a day over the drive, allowing for time to break the journey at the various car parks, viewpoints and belvederes which dot the route to take in fine views of the Upper Rhine Valley and France’s Vosges. Allow time too for a couple of short worthwhile hikes, particularly the easy 1.5km loop around the touristy but pretty Mummelsee and a hike from the Allerheiligen monastery – signposted off the B500 6km to the south. From this impressive ruin of a Gothic Premonstratensian abbey, signs point along a path to an attractive waterfall a twenty-minute walk south.

South of Freiburg the Southern Black Forest gradually rises into a series of rounded and densely forested mountains that begins with the Schauinsland peak and includes the ski resorts of Todtnau and the Feldberg , the highest peak in the area. Only smaller settlements dot their slopes or huddle at the valley bottoms. The more densely wooded hills just south of here are also thinly populated, with the modest lakeside resort towns of Titisee , Schluchsee and small spa resort of St Blasien among the few exceptions. To the east of the area on the fringes of the Black Forest lies the Wutachschlucht , a deep overgrown gorge that’s popular for hiking; while to the west, where the land flattens around the Rhine and the French border, the prim spa-town of Badenweiler is a draw, as is the idyllic cluster of vineyard-draped hills called the Kaiserstuhl , sticking out in what’s an otherwise clear run up to the impressive Vosges mountains on the horizon.

At 1493m the Feldberg is the Black Forest’s highest summit, but it’s hardly a soaring peak. Instead its huge bulk rears into a bald, rather flat, treeless dome. Nevertheless, the area is protected as a nature reserve where wild flowers flourish as do unusual fauna like mountain hens and goat-like chamois. The scattered presence of traditional Black Forest farmhouses and the occasional alpine hut add to the charm. But most villages in the area exist to provide for the major regional downhill-skiing centre . The most convenient is the slope-side village of FELDBERG , little more than a group of roadside houses on a 1234m-high pass, but given its general lack of services and nightlife you might prefer to stay in the more well-rounded village of Altglashütten, in the valley 8km away.

Haus der Natur

In summer the main focus on the Feldberg is on the Haus der Natur visitor centre, which has various displays on natural history in German and is the start point for various hikes including the Feldberg-Steig , a highly recommended 12km loop that links five alpine huts around the upper reaches of the Feldberg. Much of it passes over open ground, offering open vistas which many other Black Forest hikes lack. In winter a good portion of this and other local trails form popular cross-country skiing routes.

Feldbergbahn

A short walk from the Haus der Natur lies the Feldbergbahn which, in winter, is part of a network of 28 ski lifts and covered by a day-pass. In summer it offers the chance of great views over the Alps without any legwork.

The Wutachschlucht

On the southeastern fringes of the Black Forest and hidden from view in the rolling landscape of farms and pastures lies the 33km-long Wutachschlucht , a deep gorge that’s been fed and shaped by the waters of the Titisee. The thickly forested and overgrown chasm with its stretches of craggy cliffs, churning waters and unspoilt, ancient forests has become a popular hike. Given that the walk is too long to do in a day, local buses operate to pick up and drop off hikers along the gorge route for a flat rate of €3 per day.

Several communities act as gateways to the valley, with the most practical being Löffingen – which is on the railway network (from Freiburg hourly; 1hr) – to the north of the Wutachschlucht and Bonndorf – an easy bus ride from Schluchsee – to the south. A popular quick taster of the canyon landscape is the feeder valley of the Lotenbachklamm, along which an easy and attractive hour-long, round-trip walk runs to the Schattenmühle , an old watermill and inn in the Wutach Valley. The Shattenmühle is also the ideal place to start a hike of the most stunning stretch of the Wutachschlucht. Take bus #7259 from Löffingen or #7344 from Bonndorf, to the Schattenmühle , or park there, then walk five hours east along the gorge to Wutachmühle, and take bus #7344 back to the start (9am–6pm hourly; 25min) or to Bonndorf.

The quiet little mountain town of TODTNAU , 32km southeast of Freiburg and 25km beyond the Schauinslandbahn, bustles with activity in winter when it becomes a gateway to a network of ski lifts around the Feldberg.

A ski lift up the Hasenhorn carries toboggans in winter and continues to attract a steady trickle of visitors in summer thanks to the presence of a 2.9km roller-coaster-cum-bobsleigh track and a couple of excellent downhill mountain-bike trails aimed at experienced riders who can buy or rent any equipment they need at the base-station shop.

Aside from skiing, Todtnau’s other great draw is a 97m-tall waterfall that cascades over several craggy rocks on the opposite (northern) side of the valley. To get there from town hike the signposted 2km trail from the church at the centre of Todtnau, or simply follow the much shorter trail from the car park on the hairpin of the L126 en route to Freiburg and Kirchzarten. The falls freeze in the winter to magical effect, but beware the slippery trails.

The origins of the cuckoo clock are uncertain. Though the first known description comes from Saxony in the mid-sixteenth century, it’s thought they were probably first made in Bohemia. Certainly it was only about a hundred years later – in the 1730s – that cuckoo clocks began to be made in the Black Forest, with Schönwald near Triberg being the site of the earliest workshops.

The quality of the craftsmanship and engineering quickly captured the imagination and the European market, and the cuckoo clock has roosted here ever since. Local shops sell a bewildering array, but as the over-eager shop assistants will inform you, it all boils down to three designs – the chalet , the hunting theme and the simple carved cuckoo . The technology in each is much the same, clocks with small pine cones dangling below them require daily winding while those with larger cones need only weekly attention.

There’s more labour-saving on hand, thanks to the digital revolution which hasn’t been allowed to bypass this traditional craft: some models are battery- and quartz-driven, and play recordings of an actual cuckoo on the hour; others are even light sensitive so both you and the bird can get some sleep. Prices vary according to the size of the clock. Good-sized clocks can be bought for under €100, but for a real talking-piece you’ll need to pay almost twice that – and some creations fetch thousands. The choice is overwhelming, competition keen and almost all shops offer shipping services. See also the Deutsches Uhrenmuseum.

One shop you might want to visit Uhren-Park (Schonachbach 27; uhren-park.de) on the main road 2.7km south of Triberg, which charges a €1.50 fee to see what it claims is the largest cuckoo clock in the world – though there’s a rival claimant on the other side of town. Easter to Oct Mon–Sat 9am–6pm, Sun 10am–6pm; Nov to Easter Mon–Sat 9am–5.30pm, Sun 11am–5pm.

Top image: The Black Forest, Schwarzwald, Germany © Funny Solution Studio/Shutterstock

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The Most Beautiful Spots in Germany's Black Forest

The small village Hornberg is located in the Gutach Valley in the Black Forest

Ever wanted to visit the setting of the fairy tales written by the Brothers Grimm? Legend has it they were inspired by Germany’s Black Forest ( Schwarzwald ) – the spectacular mountain range in Baden-Württemberg. Munich has famous Christmas markets , but these spots are also worth a visit next time you’re here.

The Black Forest gets its name from the oppressive canopy of evergreens looming above the forest floor. Home to elaborate cuckoo clocks, striking half-timbered houses, ruined castles and quaint towns, the Black Forest is a magical land full of cultural traditions. Here’s our guide to some of the most beautiful spots in the area.

2. Titisee Lake

Natural Feature

The shore of Titisee Lake in autumn, Germany

This glacially carved lake in the southern region of the Black Forest is one of the area’s most popular resorts. The lake is around 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) long and 0.6 miles (1 kilometer) wide, and is the largest natural lake in the Black Forest. Travelers flock to Titisee to swim, windsurf and sail in good weather. Occasionally, in the winter, the lake will freeze over enough to allow ice skating. There are beautiful areas for lakeside strolls throughout the year, including a 5-mile (8-kilometer) trail around the lake that leads up the Hochfirst Mountain. Surrounded by tall pine forests on the low, rolling mountains, Titisee Lake is a place of otherworldly natural beauty.

people cheering on a mountain

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5. Black Forest High Road

Architectural Landmark

One of Germany’s most famously beautiful driving routes begins in Baden-Baden and carves its way through the scenic countryside of the Black Forest. Far from just connecting you to many of the region’s most scenic spots, traversing the Schwarzwaldhochstraße is an experience in and of itself, as you wind through forests, across mountains and past tranquil lakes. Be sure to plan plenty of stops so you can properly appreciate the surrounding natural beauty, and don’t forget to keep those eyes on the road! Recommended by Gethin Morgan .

6. Triberg Falls

Triberg, Germany

Germany’s highest waterfall plummets down a 535-foot (163-meter) mountain slope into the valley of Triberg. The falls are formed by the Gutach River and located at the head of the Kinzig and Gutach valleys. Enjoy the view of the gorgeous natural scene from the bottom of the falls. Come after a heavy rain or a snow melt to see the falls at their best (and loudest). The main entrance can be reached easily from the city center in Triberg , a town that caters to tourists with a huge number of cuckoo-clock shops . At night, the illuminated water is striking, and even in the winter, the Triberg Falls look beautiful surrounded by snow.

9. Bad Wildbad

Bad Wildbad

Not quite as well known as Baden-Baden, Bad Wildabad is another popular spa town and a cheaper option for a home-base in the north of the forest. A tunnel cleverly diverts through traffic so that the area feels as isolated from the world as possible. Bad Wildbad has beautiful views of endless pine trees and the gorge of the Enz river. This town is also filled with thermal baths, which naturally hover around 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius). Enjoy the picturesque village, and be sure to visit the idyllic Wildsee – a small lake outside of the town center.

10. Sasbachwalden

Verdant vineyard in Sasbachwalden, Black Forest, Germany

In classic Black Forest style, 70% of this charming town is occupied by trees rather than buildings. People have been living here since 1347, with wood and wine providing a steady local economy for centuries. It has more recently become a popular vacation spot for domestic tourists in particular, with its quaint half-timbered houses and pretty floral flourishes – not to mention the wine – earning Sasbachwalden a reputation as one of the loveliest villages in Germany. Recommended by Gethin Morgan .

11. Allerheiligen Wasserfalle

The walking trails leading to All Saints Waterfalls were first created back in the 1840s, and the uniquely cascading waterfalls, found near Oppenau, have dazzled forest explorers ever since. The water spills dramatically for around 83m and, over time, a set of seven basins have formed naturally in the rocks, creating an aesthetically pleasing set of steps for the water to trickle (or torrent) along. The short but immersive trail also leads to the striking ruins of an old Gothic abbey, making this off-the-beaten-path stop even more worthwhile. Recommended by Gethin Morgan .

13. Badische Weinstrasse

Winery, Natural Feature

View across the vineyards of Baden Germany, towards a small chapel near Durbach

Badische Weinstrasse translates to ‘ Badische Wine Road ‘, and the 99-mile (160-kilometer) route is located in the foothills of the Black Forest. The purpose-built Weinstrasse was created in 1954 to meander through the wine-growing areas of the Black Forest and end up in Weil am Rhein, near the Swiss border. Travelers can drive from Baden-Baden to Freiburg along this alternative route, and instead of dull motorway sights they will pass by historic castle ruins and peaceful vineyards. Stop in Durbach for Durbacher Winzergenossenschaft, a wine co-operative with a winning selection of well-priced local wines.

14. Kinzig and Gutach Valley

The small village Hornberg is located in the Gutach Valley in the Black Forest

Take the scenic drive along the Schwarzwaldhochstrasse from Baden-Baden to see the central Black Forest region’s quaint towns. Kinzig and Gutach Valley are heavily forested areas where many traditional Black Forest customs originated, like the cuckoo clock and the Bollenhut , a ladies’ hat topped with red pom-poms. In these sleepy towns, visitors will feel the magical and mysterious nature of the Black Forest come to life. While visiting the region, make a stop in the brewery town of Alpirsbach, and visit Schiltach to see classic examples of timber houses that burst with color and character.

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  1. The Top Things to Do in the Black Forest, Germany

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  2. 10 Must-Visit Small Towns in The Black Forest

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  3. A Micro-Trip To The Black Forest (Schwarzwald), Germany

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  4. The Ultimate Black Forest Travel Guide: What to Know Before You Visit

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  5. Photos of the Black Forest in Germany

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  1. Roadtrip to Black Forest Germany part 1

  2. Germany's Black Forest I Triberg Waterfall I Cuckoo Clock I Black Forest CakeI Indian in Germany

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  4. The Black Forest (Schwarzwald) in Southwest Germany

  5. The Black Forest, Germany

  6. Black Forest Riding with Aprilia Dorsoduro 900 in 2023

COMMENTS

  1. The Ultimate Black Forest Travel Guide: What to Know ...

    41. Situated in Germany's southwest corner, the Black Forest, or Schwarzwald in German, is known around the world for its dark conifer forests, enchanting villages, hiking trails, and thermal spas. Steeped in mystery and myth, the Black Forest is a place in Baden-Württemberg that so many Germans choose when they vacation in their own country.

  2. The Ultimate Black Forest Itinerary: How to Spend Your Time

    Covering an area of 6000km and stretching over 160km long, the Black Forest is a phenomenal mountain range with a thick forest in the southwest state of Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. Today, it's one of the most incredible tourist destinations in Germany , receiving over 35 million visitors annually from all over the world.

  3. 4 Options For the Perfect Black Forest Road Trip Itinerary

    Itinerary 1: Central Black Forest 3 Day Itinerary. Black Forest Road Trip Itinerary 2: Southern Black Forest. Itinerary 3: Western Black Forest. Itinerary 4: National Schwarzwald and the Northern Side of the Forest Itinerary. Where To Stay in the Black Forest. Day Trips from Frankfurt to Black Forest. Black Forest FAQs.

  4. 15 TOP Things To Do In The Black Forest in Germany!

    8. Visit Europa Park in Rust. Europa Park is one of the top things to do near the Black Forest Germany. Europa Park is this super big theme park in Germany, right between Freiburg in Breisgau and Strasbourg in France. It's got 18 different themed areas and 13 roller coasters.

  5. Black Forest Travel Guide

    Black Forest Accommodations. There are a lot of hotels and vacation rentals in the Black Forest region. You can stay in a city like Freiburg or Baden-Baden or you in small towns and villages like Triberg, Staufen, Haslach, Gengnenbach, etc. You can also rent apartments and vacation homes in the rural areas of the Black Forest.

  6. The Perfect 3-Day Black Forest Itinerary

    Even if you only have time for a 3-day Black Forest itinerary, there is no doubt that visiting this gorgeous corner of southwestern Germany is 100% worth it. In German, the forest is called der Schwarzwald, which references the pine trees' deep dark green colour, making the forest look almost black. If you are a fan of the Brothers Grimm ...

  7. Top Things To Do and See in Black Forest Germany

    Educate your friends and family with these five fun facts about Germany's Black Forest. 1. The world's largest cuckoo clock — the size of a house—is in Eble Uhren-Park in Triberg. (See photo below) 2. The springs in Baden-Baden are up to 17,000 years old and discharge around 800,000 liters of thermal water a day. 3.

  8. The Black Forest travel

    Germany, Europe. As deep, dark and delicious as its famous cherry gateau, the Black Forest gets its name from its canopy of evergreens. With deeply carved valleys, thick woodlands, luscious meadows, stout timber farmhouses and wispy waterfalls, it looks freshly minted for a kids' bedtime story. Wandering on its many miles of forest trails, you ...

  9. Black Forest Guide: Planning Your Trip

    Planning Your Trip. Best Time to Visit: The Black Forest is a year-round destination with distinct seasons. It gets the most sunshine in Germany and late summer the ideal time to visit with its many wine festivals. In winter, there is also a lot of Christmas cheer with the many markets like Gengenbach with the world's largest advent calendar house.

  10. The Top Things to Do in the Black Forest, Germany

    Wählerbrücke 1, 77793 Gutach (Schwarzwaldbahn), Germany. Phone +49 7831 46793500. Web Visit website. One of the most visited open-air museums in Germany, the Schwarzwälder Freilichtmuseum Vogtsbauernhof allows visitors to see how the Black Forest has operated for hundreds of years.

  11. The Best Things to Do in Germany's Black Forest Region

    21. Schluchtensteig. Lace up a pair of comfortable hiking shoes for this exciting trek through the Black Forest. Over the river valleys and through the forests to Wehraschlucht's gorge, the full Schluchtensteig trail runs for just under 120km (75mi) reaching an airy 3,000m (9,843ft) above sea level.

  12. Black Forest Road Trip: A 2-Day Itinerary for First Time Visitors!

    BLACK FOREST TRAVEL GUIDE 🇩🇪🌲🚘 | 10 Places to Visit in Germany's SCHWARZWALD on a Road Trip! Black Forest road trip itinerary for a 2-day visit featuring lakeside towns, hiking trails, and epic mountain views in Southern Germany.

  13. The Black Forest Travel Guide

    Baden-Baden. The smart and dignified grande dame of German spas, BADEN-BADEN lies cradled in the palm of idyllic and gentle wooded hills, 42km south of Karlsruhe. In the nineteenth century this was the St Tropez of high society and something of this era's privilege survives in the dusty elegance of its villas, hotels and boutiques and in the manicured gardens where well-groomed socialites ...

  14. Black Forest & Beyond: 1 Week Itinerary in Germany

    Day 5 - Titisee daytrip from Freiburg. Schauinsland gives a good view of the rolling pine-covered hills of the Black Forest. Now take a train up into the high forest to Titisee. This is an alpine lake up in the mountains and always a little cooler than down in town, making it a getaway in the summer.

  15. Black Forest Travel Guide Resources & Trip Planning Info by Rick Steves

    The region's darkly thick forests were formidable to ancient Romans, and the poor farmland drove medieval locals to become foresters, glassblowers, and clockmakers. Today, the Black Forest is primarily a relaxing getaway for overworked Germans. The region's two major towns are Baden-Baden — Germany's grandest 19th-century spa resort — and ...

  16. Epic 1 Week Road Trip in the Black Forest

    Located in the southwest corner of Germany in the state of Baden-Württemberg, the Black Forest refers to a small mountain range characterized by dense coniferous forests. From Frankfurt, it takes about 1 hour's drive directly south to reach the northern edge of the forest. The Black Forest is roughly 200 kilometers long and 60 kilometers wide.

  17. The Most Beautiful Spots in Germany's Black Forest

    Titisee Lake. This glacially carved lake in the southern region of the Black Forest is one of the area's most popular resorts. The lake is around 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) long and 0.6 miles (1 kilometer) wide, and is the largest natural lake in the Black Forest. Travelers flock to Titisee to swim, windsurf and sail in good weather.

  18. Black Forest Travel Guide, Germany

    The Black Forest (Schwarzwald) is a region in Baden-Württemberg in southwest Germany. It's famous for its dense forests, picturesque villages, hiking trails, and thermal spa towns. It's also the land of cuckoo clocks, chocolate cherry cake, large wooden farmsteads, and thermal spas. As you drive through the Schwarzwald's dark conifer ...

  19. Unlocking the Secrets: Top 10 Must-See Destinations in Germany's Black

    The Black Forest offers an unparalleled hiking experience, with trails catering to casual and seasoned trekkers. The Westweg Trail, one of the region's most famous paths, spans over 280 ...

  20. The Black Forest Travel Guide

    Get information on The Black Forest Travel Guide - Expert Picks for your Vacation hotels, restaurants, entertainment, shopping, sightseeing, and activities. Read the Fodor's reviews, or post your own.

  21. Tour of the Black Forest Germany

    LEARN MORE. At Black Forest Tours we cater to English-speaking travelers who want to see the real Black Forest, as only locals can show you. Everyone is unique and your visit to The Black Forest will be unique too. We listen to your wants and needs, then provide options from which you can choose what to see and at a pace appropriate for you.

  22. Black Forest 2024: All You Need to Go Before You Go

    Fairytale villages, thermal baths, casinos and pine and birch-blanketed mountains beckon travelers to southwestern Germany's Black Forest. Scenic drives and train trips showcase the best of the area. Skiing, hiking, mountain climbing, boating and ice-skating are popular activities. Baden-Baden's Roman-Irish baths, 19th-century performance hall ...

  23. Tracing Germany's Roads & Riches: Black Forest Route Road Trip

    There's an almost mythical allure to the B500 route, the artery that breathes life into the heart of the Black Forest in Germany. This 233-kilometre road meanders from the spa town of Baden-Baden to Waldshut-Tiengen, snug against the Swiss border, and brings a symphony of spectacular vistas. Imagine being surrounded by an emerald expanse ...

  24. Black Forest Experience Road Trip

    Black Forest Experience Road Trip. Visit the fairytale city of Heidelberg and get familiar with the great Black Forest Germany with all the sights and unique things. Finally head along a scenic route to Lake Constance, see Neuschwanstein, the Zugspitze, and Garmisch-Partenkirchen, ending up in Munich. This route is a sample and we can customize ...

  25. Visiting Nude Saunas in Austria and Germany Without Feeling Awkward

    For example, Therme Erding in Germany, about an hour northeast of Munich, has 24 saunas and a large indoor-outdoor pool in the nude section, and costs €62 for an entire weekend day.