For some, the Black Forest may remind them of a fairytale landscape. The atmosphere in this low mountain range is above all quiet and tranquil. Tourists discover wooded heights and dreamy valley landscapes with waterfalls, rivers and numerous bathing lakes, an ideal destination for hiking enthusiasts. But winter sports fans will not miss out here either. On the Feldberg, and another 70 mountains of up to 1,493 meters altitude, you can ski in winter.
In addition, the region attracts with traditional handicrafts. Who doesn’t know the world-famous cuckoo clocks, which are still made in filigree handicraft in the Black Forest today? If you like sweets, you can’t get past the Black Forest cake, which was also invented here. The Black Forest is therefore a holiday region that promises relaxing holidays all year round. And if you like culture, this is the right place for you, because cities such as Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Baden or Villingen-Schwenningen have high-ranking art museums and first-class architectural sights.
Discover and hike in the Black Forest in summer
The Black Forest is one of the most popular hiking regions in all of Germany. The region is known for a wide network of hiking trails that meet all requirements. Multi-day hikes can be undertaken here just as well as day tours that are suitable for the whole family. The Black Forest-Swabian-Alb-Allgäu Trail, for example, is a 311-kilometer long-distance hiking trail that leads from Pforzheim through the northern Black Forest. In the southern Black Forest, the 1,415-metre-high Herzogenhorn beckons. The mountain is located on the grounds of the Feldberg nature reserve and can be climbed via a wide variety of well-signposted hiking routes. In good weather, you can see as far as the French Vosges from the summit.
If you are more in the mood for swimming, visit the Feldsee or the Titisee in summer. The Feldsee is the highest lake in Germany. It is located 1,109 meters above sea level. By car, you can get up to a maximum of four kilometers to it. The rest of the way you have to walk. On the other hand, the surrounding nature is picturesque and untouched. A walking and mountain biking route leads around the lake. Lake Titisee is located at an altitude of 845 metres and is particularly popular with families. Because the Titisee can be explored with pedal boats and excursion boats. Anglers also like to visit Lake Titisee, as it has a rich population of lake trout, eels, pike, zander and other lake fish.
Nearby is the Wutach Gorge, which is nicknamed the Grand Canyon of the Black Forest. On a 30-kilometre area, whitewater canoeists, hikers and nature lovers meet. About 2,800 plant species can be discovered here, including more than 40 different species of orchids. The gorge also attracts bird and butterfly watchers. Furthermore, the many waterfalls and shell limestone walls of the Wutach Gorge are fascinating.
Snow adventure in the Black Forest
With the Feldberg, Hinterzarten and Todtnau, the Black Forest has several winter sports centres to offer, where World Cup competitions in ski jumping, cross-country skiing and alpine skiing take place. However, the vast majority of winter sports enthusiasts on site are amateurs. Many hiking routes are also accessible as winter hiking routes. Some are also converted into toboggan runs after the first snowfall and enable rapid toboggan runs. If you want, you can snowshoe around the Feldberg and Todtmoss. On every corner there are also wellness offers such as saunas and thermal and mineral baths, where you can relax after icy snow days. The Christmas markets are romantic. Almost every place in the Black Forest has its own. Covered in deep snow, they attract visitors with the scent of mulled wine, gingerbread and regional handicrafts. In addition to the obligatory cuckoo clocks, there are also handmade Christmas tree baubles from local glassblowing workshops to buy, for example.
Popular city trips to the Black Forest
Architecture and culture in Freiburg im Breisgau
Freiburg im Breisgau is a real tourist magnet. This is not surprising once you have taken a walk through the historic old town. Narrow alleys are lined with traditional half-timbered houses, while the Freiburger Bächle makes its way through the city. In the Middle Ages, the artificially created stream served as a fire water supply.
Today he seems mainly charming. You should definitely visit the Freiburg Cathedral and the Münsterplatz. The cathedral was built between 1200 and 1513 in Romanesque, Gothic and late Gothic styles. The stained glass windows of the church building are particularly beautiful to look at. Münsterplatz is home to some medieval architectural beauties such as the Alte Wache and the Historisches Kaufhaus from 1520. With the Martinstor and the Schwabentor, there are still two magnificent gates of the former city fortifications that have been preserved. Freiburg is also known as a theater city. There are more than ten professional stages in Freiburg. These are supplemented by countless improv theatre and amateur play groups.
Baden-Baden as a city of art
The old residential city of Baden-Baden became famous above all for its casino and its tradition as a spa town. But there are many more highlights to discover here. After all, the museums in Baden-Baden attract art lovers from all over the world. In the Staatliche Kunsthalle, temporary exhibitions are shown that deal with the current trends in contemporary art. The Museum Frieder Burda exhibits paintings, sculptures and graphics by renowned artists of the 20. and 21st century. Among them are works of art by August Macke, Mark Rothko, Pablo Picasso and Georg Baselitz.
Clock tradition in Villingen-Schwenningen
The Black Forest is not only known for its precise clock craftsmanship because of the cuckoo clock. High-quality watches have been manufactured in the region for centuries. In the Schwenningen Museum of Local History and Clocks, you can follow how Black Forest clocks are built in a traditional watch workshop.
