Things to Do in the Black Forest: Tips from a Local

Tips and Info for a Vacation in the Black Forest

Before we dive into the interview, here’s the most important information you need before traveling to the Black Forest.

Where is the Black Forest in Germany?

The Black Forest is in the south of Germany — more specifically in the southwest of the state of Baden-Württemberg.

A day trip to the beautiful city of Freiburg is absolutely not to be missed.

Lake Constance is also close by. You can reach Konstanz, for example, in about 1.5 hours by car.

The Black Forest also makes a great base for a side trip to neighboring Switzerland or France.

Our Hotel Recommendations for the Black Forest

The Black Forest has plenty of stylish hotels and cozy guesthouses. Here are our picks for every budget:

Interview with a Local: The Best Insider Tips for the Black Forest

Sabine knows the Black Forest inside and out as a native, and she answered our questions for the Hometown Love interview.

1. Who are you and why are you an expert on the Black Forest?

Hi, I’m Sabine — a globe-trotter, nature lover, and hobby blogger. After my husband and I returned from our six-year trip around the world, I love rediscovering my home — the Black Forest — through fresh, well-traveled eyes.

I come from the small village of Waldmössingen in the central Black Forest.

I grew up here, shaped my first snowballs to the gentle rustling of wind in the dark fir trees in winter, and learned to ride a bike in the cool shade of the forest edge in summer.

I knew how beautiful the Black Forest was even as a child — but I truly came to appreciate it only over the years.

2. If you had to describe the Black Forest in three words, what would they be?

Evergreen, fairy-tale landscape, outdoor adventure playground.

3. Why should everyone visit the Black Forest at least once?

Because the Black Forest as a travel destination is incredibly diverse and yet (still) not overrun with tourists. With mountains, lakes, gorges, caves, forests, meadows, and wilderness, the natural landscape has everything an outdoor enthusiast could dream of.

At the same time, there are many villages and small Black Forest towns where tradition and modernity blend together in a charming way.

Take Freiburg, the largest city in the Black Forest, with its many “Bächle” (little streams), its cathedral, and the vibe of a green university city. And equally, Rottweil, the oldest city in Baden-Württemberg, with its historic old quarter and the “Black Gate,” which feels like a gateway into the past as you enter the pedestrian zone lined with proud townhouses.

The Black Forest also has plenty to offer culturally, such as the Vogtsbauernhof Open-Air Museum. Here you can get an up-close look at how people in the Black Forest lived, worked, and spent their lives over the past 600 years, in lovingly restored original buildings.

Beyond that, there are a whole range of fascinating museums with something for almost every interest:

There’s the Black Forest Museum in Triberg, the German Clock Museum in Furtwangen, the Auto & Clock World in Schramberg, and the hands-on museum Experimenta in Freudenstadt, where young (and not-so-young) explorers can investigate scientific phenomena through tons of interactive experiments.

History buffs will also get their money’s worth here — alongside partially well-preserved castles, a wealth of traditional half-timbered architecture, and exhibits on local crafts like glassblowing and log rafting, the Romans left their mark on the Black Forest nearly 2,000 years ago. Evidence of this includes the partially reconstructed Roman Fort in Waldmössingen.

4. What does the Black Forest have that you can’t find anywhere else?

Cuckoo clocks! And Bollenhüte!

The Black Forest is the home of the world-famous cuckoo clock. For centuries, a thriving clockmaking industry here has made these wooden wall clocks — from which a cuckoo calls out on the hour — famous all around the world.

The well-known Junghans watches also come from the Black Forest.

Another truly unique feature is the Bollenhut, which is part of the traditional folk costume of the Black Forest. The pompoms — or “Bollen” in the local Swabian dialect — are red on the hats of young girls and unmarried women, and black for married women.

Originally, the folk costumes with Bollenhüte came from just three Black Forest villages, but thanks to their charming appearance they became a universal symbol of the entire region.

Things to Do and See in the Black Forest

5. Which Black Forest sights are absolute must-sees?

You really shouldn’t miss the world’s largest cuckoo clock in Schonach!

Built from the original historic plans, a cuckoo clock was constructed here at 60 times the normal size.

The dimensions are seriously impressive: the clockwork mechanism stands 4.5 meters tall, the pendulum measures 8 meters in length, and the cuckoo is 5 meters long and weighs 150 kg.

You can actually step inside the clock to see how it works. And of course, the cuckoo calls every half hour and on the hour.

Also not to be missed on any visit: the highest waterfalls in Germany.

These are located in Triberg, where the waters of the Gutach River thunder down over 163 meters.

If you only have time for a quick stop, definitely drive the Black Forest High Road (B500) from Baden-Baden to Freudenstadt.

Along the roughly 60-kilometer route, there are sweeping panoramic views stretching far across the Black Forest, into the Rhine Valley, and across Alsace all the way to the Vosges Mountains.

Several highlights along the way invite you to take a little detour into nature — including the legendary Mummelsee (a glacial lake formed during the Ice Age, sitting at over 1,000 meters above sea level), the Hornisgrinde (the highest peak in the northern Black Forest), the Lothar Trail, and the Black Forest National Park.

6. What can you do in the Black Forest when it’s raining?

When it’s raining, take the opportunity to explore one of the oldest stalactite caves in Germany: the Erdmannshöhle Hasel. The more than 2-kilometer-long cave houses what is probably the oldest and largest stalactite in Germany — 4 meters long and estimated to be over 135,000 years old. A true great-great-grandfather among stalactites!

You can also go underground at the Grube Wenzel visitor mine in Oberwolfach. Equipped with a helmet, mining lamp, jacket, and rubber boots, you descend into the depths of one of the once most important silver mines in the Kinzig Valley.

The well-preserved tunnels offer unique insights into historic mining and local minerals — and if you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the mountain trolls said to live here.

If you’d rather not go underground, head to the Dorotheenhütte in Wolfach on a rainy day and watch in amazement as glassblowers work at over 1,400 degrees Celsius, producing liquid glass from quartz sand and blowing it into the most delicate shapes — all in the last active mouth-blown glassworks in the Black Forest.

The glassmakers are also happy to let you try your hand at glassblowing yourself. If you’d rather just admire the finished pieces, there are old and new masterworks from the traditional glassworks on display in the adjacent Glaswelt.

For water lovers, there’s also the Galaxy water park in Titisee-Neustadt. The largest fun and leisure pool in the Black Forest features a wave pool and water fun for the whole family — with 23 different slides, there’s something for every adrenaline level.

7. What can you do with kids in the Black Forest?

The Black Forest is ideal for a farm vacation. Often, you don’t need much more entertainment than chickens, cows, sheep, horses, and the occasional barn cat. That’s exactly why many Black Forest farms offer just that, in lovingly furnished, family-friendly rooms or vacation apartments on their property.

Since the farms are usually outside of town with plenty of open space to run around and no busy roads, it’s perfect for unwinding.

If you want to be more active and go on day trips, there’s plenty to choose from:

A real local favorite is the animal enclosure and adventure playground in Waldmössingen. It’s a kind of experiential farm with an adjoining wildlife area where visitors can not only pet animals but also learn lots of interesting facts about farm life and get hands-on themselves.

In addition to the typical farm animals like cows, sheep, pigs, goats, horses, and chickens, there are also llamas, alpacas, deer, fish, and ducks. Some even whisper that a crocodile lives in the pond…

After a thorough visit with the animals, you can relax with an ice cream at the attached snack bar with beer garden, or walk a few hundred meters to the nearby adventure playground to burn off even more energy.

For those who want even more action, the Gutach toboggan run is a great bet. After climbing into one of the Black Forest bobs, the lift pulls you 300 meters up the mountain — then it’s more than a kilometer of high-speed thrills through curves, over jumps, and through tunnels on the way back down.

A ride on the “Sauschwänzlebahn” from Zollhaus to Weizen is like stepping into a model railroad world come to life. The 25-kilometer journey aboard a historic steam locomotive winds over impressive bridges, through deep gorges, rolling valleys, and steep inclines. Perfect for little train enthusiasts.

For a bit of exercise, there’s the treetop walk in Bad Wildbad and the treetop trail in Waldkirch.

For a full day of action and adventure, a trip to Europa-Park Rust is the way to go. Germany’s largest theme park offers fantastic experiences for young and old alike — from thrilling roller coasters and spooky haunted houses to leisurely boat rides and entertaining circus parades.

8. Is it worth visiting the Black Forest in winter too? What can you do at that time of year?

Absolutely! When snow falls, the white tips of the fir trees look as if they’ve been dusted with powdered sugar, and the landscape transforms into a true fairy-tale forest. When the streams freeze over and sparkling ice crystals glitter in the bitterly cold winter air, you really do feel like you’ve stepped into the realm of the Snow Queen.

You can explore this winter wonderland on the many groomed cross-country ski trails, hike through it on snowshoes, or zoom down the slopes at the various ski areas in the Black Forest.

In the lead-up to Christmas, the world’s largest Advent calendar is another draw. At the Christmas market in the historic old town of Gengenbach, one of the 24 windows of the town hall is opened each evening during Advent, revealing glowing artworks by well-known artists.

Another festive highlight is the Christmas market in the Ravenna Gorge. A village of wooden huts is set up deep in a gorge beneath the viaduct of the Höllentalbahn railway. Against this stunning backdrop, you can stroll through the Christmas village to festive music, sample regional specialties, and shop for local arts, crafts, and Christmas decorations.

9. Which spot do you recommend for taking a deep breath and truly unwinding?

My personal happy place is the Hohenschramberg Castle Ruins. The 4-kilometer ascent from the town of Schramberg winds through dense forest and rocky terrain below the castle.

When you finally let your gaze drift over the surrounding valleys to the sound of the wind, a deep inner calm sets in almost automatically.

10. Where is the most beautiful viewpoint in the Black Forest?

The summit of the Feldberg, without a doubt. At just under 1,500 meters, the Feldberg is the highest peak in the Black Forest. From the top, you get a fantastic panorama over the entire region, toward Freiburg’s local mountain “Schauinsland,” and on a clear day even as far as the Alps and the Vosges Mountains.

If you want to earn that view, I recommend the Feldberg Panorama Trail (4 kilometers one way).

If you’d prefer something a little less strenuous but still want a great vista, the Black Forest has you covered there too: Germany’s highest observation platform. Near Rottweil, a Thyssen-Krupp elevator test tower on the Berner Feld offers views all the way to the Swiss Alps. And yes — you get up to the 232-meter-high observation deck by elevator.

11. A hobby photographer asks you about cool spots for photography in your region that they’d never find in a travel guide. Where do you send them?

For urban and architectural photography, I’d recommend a day trip to the small towns of Schiltach and Alpirsbach.

The historic town center of Schiltach, with its original half-timbered houses, sits at the confluence of the Kinzig and Schiltach rivers, surrounded by picturesque hillsides.

My tip: Join one of the free guided town walks on Fridays to discover the best and most hidden spots the town has to offer.

In Alpirsbach, the 900-year-old monastery complex and its adjoining brewery provide plenty of interesting subjects. For those who prefer nature, I recommend hiking from Alpirsbach to the “Talsperre Kleine Kinzig” reservoir.

Along the 6-kilometer trail, a picturesque mountain stream with many rapids, moss-covered stones, and small waterfalls repeatedly crosses the path, while on the other side idyllic mountain meadows and small farmsteads line the Black Forest hillsides.

At the reservoir itself, the man-made lake nestled in the middle of the forest above the high dam wall also offers great shots from a wide variety of angles.

12. What is the craziest activity you can do in your region?

Without a doubt, it’s spending the night in a hanging tent up among the fir treetops!

This experience is available near the town of Schiltach.

In the middle of the unspoiled nature of the Heubach Valley, a bright red hanging tent is suspended between the treetops on steel cables.

With a diameter of 2 meters, this unique sleeping spot at a dizzying height offers just enough room for two people — and plenty of thrills.

For dinner and breakfast, a generously packed picnic basket filled with local delicacies awaits at the edge of the gorge.

For the night, the sky bed is pulled by hand to the middle of the gorge — or as far out as you dare. Then an unforgettable night in the skies above the Black Forest awaits.

Book your night in the hanging tent

13. What is the best event of the year in your region? What makes it worth coming to the Black Forest?

No question: the Swabian-Alemannic Fasnet!

Apart from the general festive atmosphere, the time-honored Fasnet has very little in common with its simultaneously occurring counterpart, the Rhineland Carnival.

Instead, in almost every community throughout the Black Forest, magnificent parades and Narrensprünge (jesters’ processions) take place continuously from “Schmotzige Dauschtig” (Dirty Thursday) all the way through to Fasnet Tuesday.

Each town has its own unique jesters. The “Narrenkleidle” (costumes) are still sewn by hand and artfully painted to this day, and the accompanying wooden masks are hand-carved (the masks worn in front of the jesters’ faces are called “Larven” — please don’t call them masks. Never. The locals feel strongly about that).

One of the major Fasnet strongholds, alongside Rottweil and Oberndorf am Neckar, is the five-valley town of Schramberg, where every year on Fasnet Monday (Rose Monday) the uniquely one-of-a-kind “Bach-Na-Fahrt” takes place.

Daring participants board homemade boats and race down a river through the town in front of thousands of spectators. Small spoiler: very few make it to the finish line dry. It’s a massive spectacle.

Food and Drink in the Black Forest

14. Which culinary specialty is an absolute must-try in the Black Forest?

The sweetest temptation in the Black Forest is round as a ball, richly layered, indulgent, and laced with spirits: the Black Forest cake.

Numerous stories surround the origins of the Black Forest cake — and the number of calories in a single slice is best left unmentioned.

But you absolutely must try at least a thin slice of this cake, known worldwide as “Black Forest Cake,” which is only authentic when made with genuine Black Forest Kirschwasser cherry brandy. It naturally tastes best right here in the Black Forest, and almost every café and pastry shop carries “Schwarzwälder Kirsch” on the menu.

15. What are your three favorite restaurants and what should you absolutely try there?

A stop at the Grünhütte is always worth it, no matter the season.

This cozy mountain hut sits in a prime location on the Sommerberg above Bad Wildbad.

You can reach it either by hiking up in about an hour from Bad Wildbad or Kaltenbronn, or quite comfortably by taking the Bad Wildbad mountain railway.

At the top, there are wonderful hiking trails with great views over the Enz Valley and the heights of the Black Forest. And when your stomach starts growling after a lovely stroll, it’s time for a well-deserved break at the Grünhütte.

True to its setting, the menu features Baden-Swabian specialties, and you’ll be spoiled for choice between several regional delicacies.

You really have to try the homemade blueberry pancakes. They’re as freshly made as they are delicious, and one serving is easily enough to fill one or two people.

Another favorite is the Marktscheune in Offenburg. This rustic farmhouse café serves authentic Black Forest specialties made from fresh, regional organic ingredients. The Kässpätzle (cheese spaetzle) come especially highly recommended — a must-try on any visit to Offenburg.

Under the same roof, there’s also a farmers’ market selling regional agricultural products.

A firm spot among my favorite restaurants also belongs to the Aichhalder Mühle near Schiltach. It’s tucked away in the forest of a narrow valley — fittingly named “Loch” (Hole). This country inn, housed in a former heritage-protected mill dating back to 1792, serves Black Forest specialties and high-quality dishes made from fresh, regional ingredients in a warm, family atmosphere.

The wild game specialties come from local hunting, and the croquettes are still made in-house to this day. Equally fresh are the trout on the menu: guests can pick their own trout straight from the on-site trout pond and watch the chef prepare it right in front of them.

And after the meal, there’s a homemade mill schnapps to finish things off — the “Mühlengeist.”

16. Where can you find the best ice cream in the Black Forest?

The best ice cream in the Black Forest has been found for 60 years at Eiscafé Rino in Schramberg. All flavors are made in-house at this small, family-run ice cream parlor. You absolutely have to try the dark chocolate and the mango!

17. Where is the best place for wellness in the Black Forest? Is there a wellness hotel or spa you can recommend?

There are several wonderful spas in the Black Forest, so you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to relaxation. Depending on where in the Black Forest you happen to be, I particularly like the Paracelsus Therme in Bad Liebenzell, the Solemar wellness and health spa in Bad Dürrheim, and the Caracalla Therme in Baden-Baden.

My absolute favorite for a relaxed wellness day with sauna and downtime, though, is the Badeparadies Schwarzwald near Titisee-Neustadt. Surrounded by palm trees and orchids, you get a light, tropical feeling here no matter what the weather is like outside.

18. What is the most beautiful hike in your region?

Wow, the Black Forest has hundreds of great hikes of all different lengths, difficulty levels, and destinations.

Picking a single favorite is impossible for me. Off the top of my head, I can easily think of more than ten hikes that are each beautiful in their own way and worth lacing up your hiking boots for in any weather.

Among the long-distance trails, the Westweg is one of the most well-known — and rightfully so — but the Mittelweg and Ostweg also offer great Black Forest experiences.

For half-day or full-day hikes, there are around 50 “Genießerpfade” (gourmet trails) that, in addition to particularly stunning scenery, promise extra sensory experiences along the way — such as fruit stations, sky loungers, or “Schnapsbrünnele” (schnapps springs).

On top of that, there are over 300 well-designed themed trails (highlights include the yoga trail near Lauterbach, the Auerhahnweg, the Prechtäler Bienenweg, and the Brotweg Elzach) and countless hikes designated as premium trails, guaranteeing varied, nature-immersive routes away from roads and towns.

To help narrow down the choices, there’s the Black Forest app by Outdooractive. With it, you can select an activity and get trail suggestions complete with photos, topographic maps, and detailed route descriptions.

19. What is the most beautiful cycling route in your region?

When it comes to cycling, the Black Forest also offers a huge variety of routes and tours — depending on whether you want to ride for an hour, three days, or two weeks. Or whether you’d rather tackle technical trails on a mountain bike and go downhill riding.

If you like fast-paced riding, the Bikepark Bad Wildbad is right up your alley!

Personally, I’m more of a touring cyclist, and I particularly enjoy the Black Forest Panorama Route. It runs from Pforzheim in the north to Waldshut-Tiengen in the south and includes several sections of various cycling routes such as the Enz Valley Cycle Path and the Southern Black Forest Cycle Route.

The 280 kilometers can comfortably be covered in five daily stages, leading over the most beautiful heights and through the most picturesque valleys on the eastern side of the mountain range. The first day’s stage in particular — from Pforzheim through the Enz Valley to Freudenstadt — is a dreamy introduction to the natural beauty of the Black Forest.

20. Which towns are best for a leisurely stroll?

If you want to explore at a relaxed pace, Freiburg, the largest city in the Black Forest, is the place to be. Freiburg im Breisgau charms visitors with its picturesque historic center, a southern European flair, and the warm friendliness typical of the Baden region.

On top of that, most streets in the old town are closed to car traffic, so you can wander freely through the many pretty alleyways and winding little lanes as a pedestrian — no dodging traffic required.

Where to Stay in the Black Forest

21. Is there a special hotel in the Black Forest that you’d recommend to visitors?

The Black Forest has several truly unique places to stay — first and foremost the hanging tent experience mentioned above — but a night in a converted wine barrel, a cuckoo’s nest, or a sleeping cube is also possible.

My favorite retreat for a few nights of total relaxation, however, is an almost 100-year-old Black Forest farmhouse, the “Fehrenbacher Hof,” in the exceptionally beautiful Sulzbach highland valley. The small farm has been lovingly and sustainably converted by the family into a nature guesthouse.

Where the hay loft used to be, there are now four wonderfully cozy guest rooms with direct access to nature. The combination of old and new elements with natural materials creates a perfect feel-good atmosphere, and you’ll notice in many small details that the farm is run with passion and love — genuine hospitality at its best.

22. Which town do you recommend to visitors as a base for their vacation in your region?

Baiersbronn, in the northern part of the Black Forest, is perfectly situated for exploring the various corners of the region. With the Black Forest High Road practically right around the corner, you’re already in the heart of the Black Forest from the moment you arrive, and you can also reach the central and southern parts of the region quickly — with plenty of scenic views along the way.

Scenically speaking, it doesn’t get much more Black Forest than this. For food lovers, Baiersbronn serves up true gourmet cuisine at the well-known Michelin-starred restaurant Tonbach Traube, and the surrounding area is home to numerous gourmet and premium hiking trails.

Now it’s your turn

Those were Sabine’s tips for her home region, the Black Forest. Have you ever been there? How did you like it, and do you have a tip that shouldn’t go unmentioned here? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

The Black Forest is one of our 11 favorite nature travel destinations in Germany. Find even more inspiration for destinations in Germany in our article:

The 11 Most Beautiful Nature Destinations in Germany