The scene is rendered all the more foreboding by the soaring stone arches of a viaduct that hovers feet overhead, carrying the Devil's Valley Railway. At the bottom of the winding road is the welcoming sight of the Hofgut Sternen , a historic hotel whose former guests included Marie Antoinette as she traveled through here on her way to become Queen of France. In the complex of traditional Black Forest buildings surrounding the inn are a glassblowing studio and a cuckoo clock shop ; you can watch craftsmen working in both of these.
A path leads farther down the valley to the historic St. Oswald's Chapel , the area's first church, built in For four weekends in December, the steep hillside beneath the stone arches of the viaduct is the site of the Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market , one of the hidden gems of the Black Forest. Previously, the town of Furtwangen claimed it, based on the fact that the Breg, the larger of the two streams that join to form the Danube, begins there at the Bregtal spring.
You can visit the Donabauch spring, suitably enshrined in elaborate iron grill and stonework in the Schlosspark in Donaueschingen, on the eastern fringe of the Black Forest. Schloss Donaueschingen features sumptuous state apartments full of tapestries and period furniture, a Court Library of medieval manuscripts, and a collection of works by 15 th- and 16 th -century Swabian painters. The most enduring — and endearing — example of Black Forest folk art carries a long tradition of fine craftsmanship as well.
Their story begins in the s, when poor farmers made additional income by creating woodcarvings from the readily abundant local trees. They carved elaborate clocks with moving figures, and as metal clockworks were expensive, they made these from wood, too.
The region soon became known for its meticulously crafted and beautifully carved clocks, and their signature feature, whatever their size or complexity, was the little bird that popped out and said "cuckoo" on the hour. Among the most popular things to do in the Black Forest is visit a shop where they make the famous cuckoo clocks. Even if you don't plan to bring one home as a souvenir, it is fascinating to see the variety and complexity of these animated clocks, and watch as skilled craftsmen create them.
You can see them being made in workshops at Hofgut Sternen in the Ravenna Gorge, in the village of Triberg, and at several other shops. Its face covers the front of a typical Black Forest house, and inside you can watch the operation of the giant works, which are all carved from wood. A shop in Triberg has since created an even larger one, but you shouldn't miss the opportunity to step inside a house that's a real cuckoo clock!
If you are staying in Frankfurt or Zurich, you can easily visit the Black Forest on an organized day tour. These tours focus on particular highlights of the region and include an expert guide and driver, saving you the time and stress of finding your way between the top sites. On the hour Black Forest and Baden-Baden Day Trip from Frankfurt, you'll visit all the same attractions in Baden-Baden before continuing on your comfortable air-conditioned coach for a scenic ride through the Black Forest to the lovely Mummelsee, a popular lake near Seebach.
The closest is Stuttgart with its excellent art and automobile museums. It's only a short trip to the north to visit the attractions of historic Heidelberg , and just on the other side of the Rhine River Valley from the spa town of Baden-Baden, you can visit the tourist attractions of Strasbourg, in France.
Germany Travel Guide. Written by Barbara Radcliffe Rogers Mar 27, We may earn a commission from affiliate links The very name Black Forest conjures up images of deep woodlands, traditional deep-roofed farmhouses, cuckoo clocks, and half-timbered villages that look as though they'd stepped out of a book of fairy tales.
Exploring the Black Forest by Car The Black Forest To find some of the best places to visit in the Black Forest, you should explore its countryside by car, following one of the several designated tourism routes. Triberg Waterfalls Triberg Waterfalls A walking path climbs through the steep Triberg forest, stopping at seven different viewpoints overlooking the river as it plunges down meters from pool to pool in a constant white froth.
Schiltach Picturesque houses and flowers in Schiltach Without doubt one of the prettiest towns in the Black Forest, Schiltach has been the home of craftsmen and tanners since at least the 13 th century. Kloster Maulbronn Kloster Maulbronn At the northern edge of the Black Forest in the little town of Maulbronn, stands the Cistercian abbey of Kloster Maulbronn, which was founded in Gengenbach Gengenbach Photo Copyright: Stillman Rogers The town of Gengenbach sits at the western edge of the Black Forest, its charming Altstadt of stone towers and half-timbered houses gathered around a market square.
Lake Titisee Lake Titisee Photo Copyright: Stillman Rogers The highest lake in the Black Forest, Titisee is one of the most popular places for families, with a wide range of entertainment possibilities. Address: Augustinerplatz, Freiburg im Breisgau Official site: www.
Fine Dining in Baiersbronn View of Baiersbronn with the Hotel Traube Tonbach in the distance The nine scenic hamlets that make up the little town of Baiersbronn have gained fame in culinary circles for the remarkable number of Michelin stars awarded to three local restaurants. Ravenna Gorge Ravenna Bridge Photo Copyright: Stillman Rogers Also known as Devil's Valley, the nine-kilometer stretch of road between Freiburg and Hinterzarten descends precipitously into a narrow gorge surrounded by thickly forested and very steep hillsides.
Travel via air-conditioned coach to the famous spa town of Baden-Baden, at the edge of the Black Forest. Once you arrive, you can explore the top attractions on a guided walking tour and learn about the thermal baths. The tour also includes a ride along the city's picturesque canals. The falls are formed by the Gutach River and located at the head of the Kinzig and Gutach valleys.
Enjoy the view of the gorgeous natural scene from the bottom of the falls. Come after a heavy rain or a snow melt to see the falls at their best and loudest. The main entrance can be reached easily from the city center in Triberg, a town that caters to tourists with a huge number of cuckoo-clock shops.
At night, the illuminated water is striking, and even in the winter, the Triberg Falls look beautiful surrounded by snow. In these sleepy towns, visitors will feel the magical and mysterious nature of the Black Forest come to life. While visiting the region, make a stop in the brewery town of Alpirsbach, and visit Schiltach to see classic examples of timber houses that burst with color and character. Heidelberg, an old town on the river Neckar, is the epitome of German romanticism.
Visit the castle gardens for a fantastic view of the city. Take a walk through the baroque-style Old Town and view the historic stone bridge, built in the s.
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Courtney Stanley. Bad Wildbad. Badische Weinstrasse. Titisee Lake. With deeply carved valleys, thick woodlands, luscious meadows, stout timber farmhouses and wispy waterfalls, it looks freshly minted for a kids' bedtime story. Wandering on its many miles of forest trails, you half expect to bump into a wicked witch or huntsman, and might kick yourself for not bringing those breadcrumbs to retrace your tracks…. Measuring km from top to bottom, the Black Forest is a ludicrously lovely expanse of hills, lakes and forest, topping out at m Feldberg.
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