Hiking in the Black Forest: Top Outdoor Adventures Awaiting You

The Black Forest is a 160-kilometer mountain range in Baden-Wurttemberg of Southwest Germany, known for its rugged landscape and evergreen forests. The entire area is over 6,000 square kilometers and has a variety of both captivating and challenging hikes.  The Rhine serves as its western and southern borders with France and Switzerland. The Danube originates in the region, flowing 2,850 kilometers east into the Black Sea. There are 23,000 kilometers of hiking trails in the Black Forest, winding around glacial lakes like the Mumelsee and the Feldsee. There is an open air museum designed to give you an idea of farming life in the 16th and 17th centuries with original Black Forest houses from that time period. Other hiking trail features include unique wildlife with some endemic fauna, the climbing haven at Battert-Felsen, and the environmentally-conscious wine country of Freiburg.

Relentless Trails!

Whether you are looking for a quick day trip to the Triberg Waterfalls or a week-long immersion into a flora and fauna tour complete with hot spring and spa visits, you will have a never-ending supply of fascinating routes to take. The European long distance path (E1), which passes all the way from Italy to Norway, passes straight through the Black Forest. The wilderness is as vast as the network of 23,000 kilometers of trails winding through it, so you can pick and choose the natural features you want to visit and shape a trip around your schedule and desires.

Breathtaking Scenery!

The Black Forest encompasses some of the most impressive nature in all of Germany. You can expect to find a number of glacial lakes - including Titisee - and waterfalls lost within the picturesque range and its forested peaks. The highest summit, Feldberg, reaches 1,493 meters in height and boasts sweeping views of the diverse and stunning landscape, which combines sandstone, gneiss, and granite geology with lush pastureland for a well-rounded and fulfilling aesthetic.

Cultural Villages!

Also maintained and cultivated by the evergreen surroundings are the cities and villages sprouting up across the region. Baden Baden and its spas are a hot spot after a long day's hike, as well as the northern foothills of Ettlingen. Some of the history that extends back to the Roman Empire and further can still be found in the towns today.

Temperatures during the hiking season average 55 degrees (F) to 70 degrees (F). The weather tends to be more humid and volatile in the winter months, with calmer and pleasant conditions during summer and fall.

German

Euro (EUR)

The southwestern location within Germany means flying into nearby Frankfurt, or even to Strasbourg (France) or Zurich (Switzerland). Train access along multiple rail lines (including TGV and EuroCity) from these major cities is both efficient and affordable. Bus and car transportation is equally reliable.

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Late spring through autumn, from May to October.