
Baden-Baden © BBT
The Black Forest (
Schwarzwald in German) covers a range
of birch and pine studded hills along 100 miles (161km) of
southwest Germany's border with France. The forest is renowned as a
holiday mecca with its picturesque fairy-tale villages, spa-bath
resorts, hiking trails and ski resorts. The first famous
holidaymaker to enjoy rest and recuperation in the Black Forest was
the Roman emperor Caracalla who stopped at the natural spring
waters, at what is now the town of Baden-Baden, around 2,000 years
ago. Since then the Forest has been the chosen destination of the
rich and famous: everyone who is anyone from Napoleon to Mark Twain
has come to take the waters and enjoy the forest's natural
beauty.
In medieval times the local people developed the traditional
skills of woodcarving, glass-blowing, jewellery-making and
clock-making, and these are still followed today to the delight of
tourists with spending money in their pockets. The Black Forest has
also become known for its local delicacies like Black Forest ham
and cherry cake.
The most central town in the Black Forest is Freudenstadt, which
is the starting point for hundreds of miles of hiking and
ski-trails through the nearby hills. Most visitors, however, prefer
to find accommodation in guest lodges in the small villages
sprinkled throughout the region, exploring by car, on foot or
bicycle.
Resorts
See our separate guides to the following The Black Forest holiday resorts: Baden-Baden
Excursions
Freiburg
Black Forest cake and cuckoo clocks are what most visitors
travel to Freiburg for, but the beautiful city has far more to
offer than the expected. The recommended way to explore the town
and environs is by bicycle (there are plenty for hire)...
see full detailsPforzheim
Founded by the Romans as a mercantile centre on the northern
edge of the Black Forest, Pforzheim, at the confluence of the Wurm,
Enz and Nagold Rivers, is today the centre for traditional
jewellery and clock-making. The town features a fascinating
Technisches Museum (at...
see full detailsTriberg
The true spirit of the Black Forest is brought to life in the
Schwarzwald-Museum of Triberg, which documents the old traditions
and lifestyle of this unique region, with displays of costumes,
handcrafts (including clocks) and furnishings. It also boasts
Europe's biggest barrel organ collection....
see full details