Black Forest itinerary that I recommend

In the land of the Brothers Grimm, I was expecting a spooky overgrown forest, a quaint medieval town, and maybe a gingerbread house or two. However, it turns out that the stories of the Brothers Grimm are not from the Black Forest region of Germany (mostly from the central region).

Why did you think they came from there? I’m not sure. Maybe they got it from Disney?

Additionally, extensive logging in the 1700s and 1800s converted much of the area to farmland. Thanks to the efforts of environmentally conscious local residents, forests have only recently begun to return to the area.

But despite (and perhaps because of) those dashed expectations, a week-long visit to the Black Forest was the highlight of my summer trip. It’s been on my bucket list forever so I was happy to finally be able to cross it off. I wish we had spent more time there.

Located in the German state of Baden-Wurttemberg, this region is home to forests (duh!), great hiking, huge waterfalls, lush farmland, cute cuckoo clocks (they were invented here!), and historic medieval It is famous for its town (of which there is only one). Very little was destroyed in World War II).

Considering how big this area is and how confusing many other blogs make it to plan a route around the area, I wanted to create an easy-to-follow itinerary for you.

Access to the Black Forest is very easy. Simply fly into Frankfurt in the north or Zurich in the south and take a 1-2 hour train ride from there to your chosen departure point.

What is the best route to take in a week?

If you have a week, you can follow the route below from Frankfurt (or vice versa if you’re coming from Switzerland).

Heidelberg (2 days)

This university city has a lot to offer, with many observation decks and short hiking trails from the city center. With stunning views over the city, the castle and its gardens are a must-see. Be sure to take a guided tour, as this is the only way to enter the castle (the grounds are free). You can also visit the University Prison (used to hold students who broke university rules until World War II), the Heidelberger Museum, and the theater. Finally, there are some hikes across the river and into the mountains.

Baden-Baden (2 days)

This spa town is famous for its natural hot springs, which have been attracting attention ever since the Romans discovered them. In the 18th century, the baths and casinos (think less glamorous Monaco) were the main attractions, attracting Europe’s wealthy and aristocrats. Today, Baden-Baden is a popular spa destination. The town has two large baths (the historic Friedrichsbad is bare, the newer Caracalla is), Hohenbaden Castle, and a cable car to the top of the Hausberg mountain for views of the area. There is also the Faberge Museum. And of course, this is the Black Forest, so there’s a lot of hiking.

Freiburg (2-3 days)

My favorite cities in the region have a beautiful rebuilt center (most of which was destroyed during World War II), a Bechle (open stream) that runs through the town, a great food scene, and a large university. Thanks to this, we are proud of our affordable prices. Other highlights include the cathedral, historic clock tower, merchant’s hall, archaeological museum, castle (hence its name), stunning views of the town and surrounding area, and the Schlossberg with its many great beer gardens. ) and so on. .

I use this city as a base for nearby hikes to the Ravenna Valley and visits to Triberg, with its huge waterfall and cuckoo clock. The Ravenna Valley can easily be hiked in half to a full day, depending on the extent of the area you want to hike. Stroll through valleys, see waterfalls, and cross farmland.

Triberg is famous for its huge waterfall and oversized cuckoo clock. It takes a few hours to get there from Freiburg, and while the waterfall and cuckoo clock are cool, there isn’t much else to do in town and we thought it would be great fun to spend a night here, so we only went there as a day trip. Masu. A little boring.

What is a good two-week route for this area?

If I had two weeks, I would add one more day in Freiburg. Because there is so much to do and you can take more day trips from there. Then also add:

Offenburg (1 day from Baden-Baden)
Offenburg, whose name means “open borough”, is famous for its medieval walls, houses and churches, but it began as a Roman settlement. There are many buildings exhibiting baroque, gothic and medieval styles. You can also visit the castle, history museum, and Black Forest open-air museum, all 40 minutes’ drive from Offenburg.

Europa Park (1 day, on the way from Offenburg to Freiburg)
It’s a theme park that’s like a European Disneyland. It’s a lot of fun, very popular with the locals, much cheaper than Disney, and a fun way to spend your day. You can stay in the park or in the nearby town of Rust.

Hiking around Titisee, Schluffsee and Feldberg (2+ days)

There are also plenty of lakes and hikes in the area, so it’s easy to add in days in nature if you have the time. If you’re looking for water-based activities, head to Titisee, a town located on the lake of the same name. Schluksee is also a popular place for Germans. You can also use Feldberg as your base for many day hikes. Really, there are hiking trails everywhere you go.

How do you move?

Renting a car is the easiest way to get around the Black Forest region, but you can also get around by bus or train. I did. One thing to keep in mind is that while trains run frequently, buses often run on a limited schedule, especially on Sundays when most people in Germany have a day off. is. If you plan to visit a small city without renting a car, be sure to check train and bus schedules in advance.

***

The Black Forest was the highlight of my summer in Europe. This was where I met the most people, had the most fun, and hiked the most. I just loved the atmosphere there. If you love cute cities, affordable travel destinations, the great outdoors, and delicious food, the Black Forest is definitely a region to explore.

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