Germany | Discover the magical Black Forest

The Black Forest, known from the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm. There is certainly something magical about this area. The forest consists mainly of spruce and pine trees, which gives it a mysterious appearance. The name comes from Roman times. They called this 'Silva Nigra', literally translated 'the impenetrable forest'. The Black Forest in the south of Germany is a fantastic holiday destination in every season.

Straight through the Black Forest

Driving along the Schwarzwaldhochstrasse, a panoramic route through the forest, you will be treated to the most beautiful views from the car. You want to stop at every turn to take it all in. The smell of the forest, the silence and the mystical atmosphere complete the picture.

The area is enormous, so at some points you won't meet anyone else and you can completely lose yourself in this place. Be sure to drive into the side streets and experience the increasingly narrow and steep roads. You will then end up in the most beautiful and remote places. However, the route itself takes you straight through the Black Forest, from north to south. Perfect for one roadtrip!

Mummelsee

In the north of this immense nature reserve is the Mummelsee (location here), a beautiful lake hidden between the dark conifers. There is a nice walking path around the lake. Wooden decking guides you along the way and before you know it you are back at the starting point.

The lake is also called the eye of the Black Forest and many myths have arisen here. Mermaids and ghosts are said to live in the lake and, according to ancient stories, the entrance to the center of the earth can be found here. During a walk in the dense fog you would almost believe these stories. 

Titisee and Hinterzarten

In the south there is another lake, namely the Titisee (location here). This large lake is less hidden, because several roads pass by it. Still, it is nice to visit here because Hinterzarten (location here), a small, cute and touristy village.

Are you looking for a souvenir? Then you've come to the right place. Despite the fact that it is mainly aimed at tourists, the atmosphere is no less. From the shopping street you have a beautiful view of the lake and boat trips are offered in the summer. Walking around the lake takes about 1,5 hours at a normal walking pace.

You could just walk past it, but in the shopping street of Hinterzarten a life-size clock has been made on the side of a shop. The cuckoo appears every half hour and as soon as the music starts, four dolls come to life while spinning. The world-famous cuckoo clocks from the Black Forest are truly craftsmanship and you can buy a clock or a souvenir of them almost anywhere.

In winter, order a piece of the popular Black Forest Kirschtorte with a hot chocolate. The cake comes from the Black Forest and is more than famous here. It contains chocolate, cherries, whipped cream and kirschwasser (alcohol). If you prefer savory, you can indulge yourself because the shop 'Schwarzwälder Spezialitäten' sells sandwiches with fresh bratwursts from the grill together with fried potatoes. In short, typical German dishes. 

Feldberg

It is a 15-minute drive away Feldberg, the highest mountain in the entire forest. As a nature lover you can indulge yourself here because there are various hikes and walking routes. In winter this is a popular ski destination for beginners and more experienced winter sports enthusiasts.

From the mountain you have a beautiful view of the area. This destination is recommended in any season, but especially when it has snowed. When you walk through the forest it seems as if you have ended up in a fairy tale.

Freiburg

The capital of the Black Forest (location here) is easily one of the most beautiful cities in Germany. Expect lots of colorful buildings, atmospheric streets and hidden cafes. From the end of November to the end of December it is especially nice because of the Christmas market. There are wooden log cabins throughout the city from which mulled wine and sausages are sold.

Freiburg is surrounded by forest, which gives you the feeling that you are walking in a village. It has a very cozy appearance. Stroll through the cozy streets and discover the most beautiful hidden gems such as hidden courtyard gardens.

Residence

There are many hotels in and around the Black Forest. If you want to camp like us, we recommend Camping Bankenhof (click here) located in the south of this area. This campsite is surrounded by the forest and within walking distance of Lake Titisee and Hinterzarten.

You can order fresh rolls every day and all amenities are available. The staff is very friendly and helpful. The best thing about this campsite are the showers. They look nice and new, you can adjust the shower head, set the temperature yourself (it can get really hot) and there is underfloor heating, so say goodbye to those cold feet. The music is playing softly in the background and all practical matters are present, such as several hooks, a bench and a shelf for your soaps. But most important of all; the showers are spotless! If you need to really relax, you can even book different massages. I am a fan. 

We stayed in and around the Black Forest for a total of about 2,5 weeks and it was really wonderful to be here! I thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful nature and the most beautiful views. This forest is one of the most magical places I have ever been!