Black Forest, what to see?

A journey into the green heart of Germany

The Black Forest, located in southwestern Germany, is a vast and enchanting natural paradise that attracts visitors from all over the world. This mountainous region, known in German as "Schwarzwald", is famous for its breathtaking landscapes, dense and lush forests , picturesque villages and centuries-old traditions that continue to live on today. The Black Forest region, which covers 11,100 square kilometres between Karlsruhe and Pforzheim in the north and the Swiss border and Waldshut-Tiengen in the south, offers a unique combination of natural beauty, rich culture and fascinating history. The area includes the national park, two nature parks and the biosphere area.

Nationalpark Schwarzwald, Karsee in der National Park Region © Black Forest Collective

Relevant not only for its exceptional natural beauty, the Black Forest is also a major destination for those seeking adventure, relaxation, and an authentic immersion in German culture. The region is famous for its cuckoo clocks, typical Bollenhut hats and Black Forest cakes, delights that embody the identity of the place. But it's the landscape that truly captures the imagination: lush fir and pine forests, serene valleys, crystal-clear lakes and spectacular waterfalls offer scenery that looks like something out of a fairy tale.

National Park Schwarzwald, Wildnispfad, Adlerhorst © Black Forest Collective

The Black Forest is accessible from several points. Freiburg in the south and Karlsruhe in the north are the main cities in the Black Forest. But also smaller cities such as Rastatt, Baden-Baden, Freudenstadt, Offenburg, Calw, Gengenbach, Lörrach and Weil am Rhein.

The south of the Black Forest is accessed from Freiburg, considered the "Capital of the Black Forest", a vibrant and sunny university town, known for its medieval old town and the majestic Gothic cathedral with a 116-meter tower. Freiburg is the gateway to the southern Black Forest, offering easy access to hiking trails, cycling routes, and breathtaking views. From here, a short drive leads to the Schauinsland mountain, from where you can take in spectacular views of the Swiss Alps on a clear day.

National Park Schwarzwald, Wanderer mit Ranger © Black Forest Collective

For those who love hiking, the Black Forest offers hundreds of kilometers of marked trails. The Westweg, one of Germany's most famous long-distance (285 km) hiking trails, crosses the entire region from north to south, offering varied and spectacular landscapes, from the vineyard-covered hills of the north to the highest peaks in the south, such as the Feldberg, the highest mountain in the Black Forest at 1,493 meters. Here, in winter, the landscape is transformed into a paradise for winter sports, with ski lifts, ski slopes, snowboarding and cross-country skiing trails.

National Park Schwarzwald, See bei Nebel © Black Forest Collective

The Titisee and the Schluchsee are two of the most famous lakes in the region, ideal for a relaxing day or for water sports such as sailing, windsurfing or simply for a boat trip. The village of Titisee-Neustadt also offers cafes and restaurants overlooking the lake, perfect for savoring local specialties while enjoying the enchanting view. The Triberg Falls, the highest in Germany, are another must-see: an impressive series of waterfalls that descend over 160 meters between rocks and lush vegetation.

Il Mummelsee, sulla Strada Alta della Foresta Nera, è il più grande dei sette laghi circensi rimasti nella Foresta Nera. © Seebach, Mummelsee-Blick © Tourist-Info Seebach

The Mummelsee on the Black Forest High Road is the largest of the seven remaining circus lakes in the Black Forest. © Seebach, Mummelsee-Blick © Tourist-Info Seebach

For those who want a cultural experience, the museums in the region offer a fascinating glimpse into traditional Black Forest life. The Vogtsbauernhof, Gutach's open-air museum, features authentic historic farmhouses, where visitors can see how the people of the region lived and worked centuries ago. There is also no shortage of visits to the workshops of local artisans, where the famous cuckoo clocks are made, which represent one of the most iconic symbols of the Black Forest.

Thermal baths and wellness in the Black Forest

The Black Forest is also famous for its spas and wellness centres (17 of the total 34 spas in the "Bäderland" Baden-Württemberg are located in the Black Forest), such as those in Bad Wildbad, Bad Teinach-Zavelstein, Bad Liebenzelle and Baden-Baden , which, with its historic casino, offers a mix of luxury and relaxation. The elegant spa town of Baden-Baden, A UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the "Great Spa Towns of Europe", it is the best-known spa destination north of the Black Forest.

Terme Caracalla in Baden-Baden Copyright © Baden-Baden Kur & Tourismus GmbH

Baden-Baden is located at the foot of the northern Black Forest, an area rich in natural diversity with valleys, mountains and forests that offer endless opportunities for hiking. It is a perfect place for those who want to relax and regenerate in an elegant and refined environment. A stop in Baden-Baden during a holiday in the Black Forest is a must, and you can continue with a hike to the nearby Black Forest National Park, a fascinating area that invites you to discover the unspoilt beauty of the region. Characteristic cities to visit in the area are Rastatt, Stuttgart and Karlsruhe. For those arriving by plane, you can use the nearby Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport (FKB).

Black Forest cuisine

For gourmets, the Black Forest is a true gastronomic paradise, thanks to the hearty sophistication of Baden's cuisine with its Alsatian, Swiss and Swabian influences in delicious variations. The local cuisine is rich and hearty, with dishes such as roast pork, Black Forest sausages , and of course, the famous Black Forest cake, a dessert made of chocolate, cream, and cherries. The many traditional restaurants and inns scattered throughout the region offer an authentic taste of German cuisine, often accompanied by regional craft beers and local wines produced along the Baden Wine Route such as Ortenau, Breisgau, Tuniberg, Kaiserstuhl or Markgräflerland.

Meatballs with vegetables

Spätzle with bacon

Black Forest Cake

The Black Forest is a destination that offers something for everyone: from adventurous hikes to relaxing days in the spa, from fairytale villages to rich cultural and culinary tradition. Here, nature and history intertwine in a harmonious dance, offering an unforgettable travel experience that leaves a deep mark on the heart of anyone who discovers it.

Texts by Angela Trivigno

Avion Tourism Magazine

Photos for editorial use only: credits indicated under the images.

Visual: Mummelsee © Klaus Hansen, Schwarzwald Tourismus

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Where to stay in the Black Forest

Colline verdi adibite a vitigni nella Foresta Nera Copyright © Avion Tourism Magazine - Sisterscom.com

The Black Forest offers various possibilities for accommodation in facilities equipped with every comfort.

To find the ideal hotel you can search by places of interest, in the most important cities of the Black Forest.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Hotels in the cities around the Black Forest

PLACES OF INTEREST

Hotels in the cities around the Black Forest

PLACES OF INTEREST

Hotels in the cities around the Black Forest

REGION

Hotels in the Black Forest region

Baden-Württemberg

AIRPORT

Airport Hotels

Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport

WHERE TO GO IN THE BLACK FOREST

Black Forest National Park

The Black Forest National Park stretches between Baden-Baden and Freudenstadt along the northern ridge of the Black Forest. It offers views over the Rhine plain to France and the hills of the Black Forest with a spectacle of unspoiled nature, with lush beech and fir forests , alpine meadows, spectacular valleys and peaks such as the Badener Höhe peak, Hoher Ochsenkopf, Ruhestein/Schliffkopf and the entire Vosges mountain range. The Park is a protected area where nature develops without human influence, in a wild habitat. The entire Black Forest National Park region is certified as a "sustainable travel destination".

National Park Zentrum Sommer © National Park Schwarzwald, Daniel Mueller

Founded to preserve the natural environment and promote biodiversity, the park invites you to immerse yourself in a wild landscape, where nature is left free to evolve without human intervention. The park is a paradise for hikers and nature lovers, with trails that offer stunning views and stunning flora and fauna .

National Park Schwarzwald, Rothirsch © Black Forest Collective

The Black Forest National Park is divided into two areas: the northern part around Hohen Ochsenkopf and a southern part in Ruhestein. Owned by the Land of Baden-Württemberg, the city of Baden-Baden, it has an area of 10,062 hectares of land while the altitudes vary from 470 meters to 1151 meters above sea level. Here you can go hiking in nature, cycling, play sports or simply observe the natural wonders. Walking in nature you will discover forests, valleys, glacial lakes, the capercaillie, the viper, the peregrine falcon, lynxes, the small European owl or the pygmy owl.

National Park Schwarzwald, Waldkauz © Black Forest Collective

In addition, the Black Forest National Park Museum is a cultural and information center that allows you to deepen your knowledge of the park's unique ecosystem. The visitor center provides interactive information and educational exhibits on flora, fauna, and the history of the region. Perfect for families and anyone looking to better understand biodiversity and conservation efforts, the museum offers a complete immersion in the Black Forest's natural environment.

Interni del National Park Center di Ruhestein, a circa 900 metri di altitudine, sulla Strada Alta della Foresta Nera, punto di partenza per esplorare il Parco Nazionale della Foresta Nera. Si trova in via Schwarzwaldhochstraße 2, a Seebach. Foto Copyright © Avion Tourism Magazine - Sisterscom.com

Interior of the National Park Center in Ruhestein, at about 900 meters above sea level, in Ruhestein on the Black Forest High Road, the starting point for exploring the Black Forest National Park.

In the Black Forest National Park you can take guided tours or walk independently on the various paths which, depending on the route, can last from 30 minutes (e.g. the "Lothar Trail") up to 4 hours (such as the "Lynx Trail" or "Wilderness Trail") or you can discover the long-distance hiking trails such as the Westweg which crosses the entire Black Forest but also the Seensteig and the Murgleiter that run through the National Park.

National Park Schwarzwald, Mountain biker © Black Forest Collective

For the more sporty, there are also ideal routes to do by bicycle and mountain bike to venture into the middle of the forest, crossing green hills in nature and admiring characteristic views. In the region around the Black Forest National Park there are hostels and huts for overnight stays, up to the luxury hotel.

Lake Mummelsee

Of particular beauty for its fairytale atmosphere, the suggestive Mummelsee, an alpine lake in the Black Forest, is of glacial origin and is located at about 1,036 meters above sea level with an area of 3.7 hectares and a circumference of about 800 meters. Surrounded by dense forests and mountains, it is famous for its natural beauty and local legends that tell of lake nymphs. The 18-meter-deep lake is surrounded by hiking trails that are ideal for exploring the unspoiled nature of the area. An ideal destination for hiking and relaxation, Lake Mummelsee offers activities such as pedal boats, walks and tastings of regional specialties in the surrounding huts. Easily accessible from both Karlsruhe (76 km) and Baden-Baden (28 km), it is the ideal place to stop and taste typical regional products (including the Black Forest cake) or stay for a few days, taking advantage of its quiet and enchanting atmosphere, ideal for those seeking direct and immersive contact with nature.

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