Skip to content »
Skip to second navigation »

May

01

2012

Sep

30

2012

May

01

2013

Sep

30

2013

May

01

2014

Sep

30

2014

May

01

2015

Sep

30

2015


Relax Among the Rolling Hills of the Black Forest

Published by Tina Isa, Writer

Country: Germany

The Experience

The Black Forest region is situated in the south of Germany, bordering Switzerland. From the moment you arrive, the sense of peace and seclusion is astounding. Surrounded by mountains and lush greenery, Black Forest feels miles from civilization. Houses and people are few and far between, and under the warm German summer sun, the lazy drone of insects is broken only by the occasional clanking of cowbells in the distance. Don't be fooled though—there is plenty to explore, from the deep forests, caves and waterfalls, to ancient German castle ruins and the nearby cities of Baden-Baden, Freiburg, and Staufen.

Motocross is quite popular among the younger males in the Black Forest hills, and you'll often find them tearing through the forest paths on heavy-duty dirt bikes. The advantage is that there is virtually no traffic at all and plenty of open space.

For a change of pace, get out your hiking stick and head to the Triberg Waterfalls. It's quite a way to the top, but the view of the entire Black Forest valley is utterly spectacular and well worth the hike.

For people more into the cultural side of things, head to some of the nearby towns of Black Forest. There you can find countless German castles among the wilderness, as well as museums, such as the Schwarzwälder Freilichtmuseum Vogtsbauernhof, which is a reconstruction museum of daily farming life several centuries ago in Black Forest. And of course there are plenty of tourist attractions in Black Forest, namely the various wineries and the German Clock Museum.

Lastly, treat yourself to a thick slab of the ever-famous Black Forest Cake. Clichés aside, you really will not find a better version outside of the area. Soaked in kirsch (cherry liquor), it's an absolute delight for the taste buds after a long day of exploring the Black Forest landscape.

Photos

Map

Puzzle

When to Go to Black Forest

The nicest time of year to visit Black Forest is during the summer. Even as early as the end of April or early May, you'll find that it is quite warm

Odds n' Ends

Do make sure to bring a German phrasebook or electronic translator with you, as the majority of locals in the Black Forest area tend not to speak English or even French. However, they are extremely friendly and will try to help if they notice you trying to string together a few words in their own language.

Like much of the rest of Germany, it can get quite costly for travellers. Take advantage of the German rail passes and discounts if you plan on travelling a lot within the area.

Places to Eat

Oberkirch
A cozy little restaurant which is an absolute must if you're stopping by in Freiburg. During the summer you can also eat out on the patio and enjoy the bustling marketplace activities outdoors. Make sure to try something from their impressive wine menu too, featuring a number of specialties from the Baden region.

Recommended Places to Stay

Baden-Baden Jugendherberge
Jugendherberge is a youth hostel situated in Baden-Baden. The prices are quite comparable and meeting other young travellers always makes the trip more fun! Unfortunately the website is all in German, but the staff are quite helpful if you phone in with a booking query.

More Experiences Nearby

Lucerne's Star Attraction: Kapellbrücke Bridge
In the tiny Swiss town of Lucerne there are numerous little treasures to be found, one of which happens to be Europe's oldest wooden bridge. The Kapellbrücke (German for Chapel Bridge) was built in 1333 and constructed entirely of wood and stone. It remains so today despite a fire in August 1993. Like any bridge, the Kapellbrücke acted as a means of fast and easy transportation, but more importantly it was built to provide protection to the city. The Kapellbrücke Chapel Bridge runs around 200 meters in length, and in the center it attaches to the Wasserturm (Watertower), which over ...66 miles away.

Video

Video Wall

You are now being transfered to our Video Wall

Books and DVDs

Munich, Bavaria & the Black Forest Regional Guide Lonely Planet

Elsewhere on the Web

Black Forest Tourism

Media References

GERMANY'S WHITE FOREST - NYTimes.com (newspaper)
Germany Regions in Brief - NYTimes.com (newspaper)
FARE OF THE COUNTRY; Fruity Desserts in Germany - NYTimes.com (newspaper)

Language Guides

Hindi , Italian , Japanese , Portugese , Russian , Spanish , Turkish , Vietnamese are some of the languages spoken in Germany. If you know of a freely available phrase book or podcast for one of the missing languages, let us know!

Discussion

Experienced this and have something to share? Experienced something like this somewhere else? Looking for advise or travel companions? Use this space to leave your mark. Our writers and editors are more than happy to help answer your questions.

People with experience


Recent Tweets

Listed below are the most recent comments made on Twitter for "black forest":