Germany is a beautiful country to explore! With epic cities to explore like Berlin, Cologne and Munich (to name a few), you’ll be spoilt for choice when looking for a great city break. That being said, Germany is so much more than just its cities, especially with all the best things to do in the Black Forest and other unspoilt areas of the country.
Over the years, we’ve visited Germany quite a bit and the thing we love most is that no two places ever feel the same!
Not only is each of the cities totally unique but the natural diversity is just insane pretty. From the rolling valleys around Moselle to the vastly unspoilt region of the Black Forest, you’ll be totally spoilt for choice.
Honestly, our trip to the Black Forest was everything we could hope for!
We loved every second of our adventure, which was packed full with some of the best things to do in the Black Forest that we found along the way. So, to make your trip that bit easier (and much less daunting), we’ve popped through some of our favourite stops you really have to visit in and around the Black Forest area.
Take a look, below, at the best things to do in the Black Forest. Have the most epic trip!
1.) Walk the Wildline Suspension Bridge
Around a 60-minute drive from Stuttgart Airport, the WildLine in Bad Wildbad has to be one of the first stopping points on your trip to the Black Forest region.
Spanning over 380 metres, the WildLine is almost 60-metres above the valley below and has some incredible views. We spent a good few hours wandering the trails around the WildLine and partnered it up with the Treetop Walk that’s around a 15-minute stroll from the bridge itself.
One thing to note, be sure to take some notes or coins with you for the parking machine. Card payments aren’t accepted and you can be pretty far from the nearest ATM.
Oh, and just in case you need the Google Maps link for driving, take a look here.
2.) Stroll the Treetop Walk, Bad Wildbad
The great thing about Bad Wildbad is the number of trails, walkways and totally stunning views this area has. Which, honestly is incredible. It might only be one hour, or so, from Stuttgart but it feels like a million miles away.
From the elevated walkways, you’ll be able to meander through the beech and spruce trees until you get to the most impressive observation deck ever!
You see, there’s a colossal 40-metre high structure that has a gradual (and accessible) walkway that spirals you to the top, over the tips of the trees themselves.
It’s beautiful and one of the most unique viewing platforms I think we’ve been on.
Oh, and don’t forget, after admiring the views, take the spiral slide back down to the base (again, have some coins to hand to access the slide). It’s easily one of the best things to do in the Black Forest…I swear we screamed so loud!
3.) Explore the spa town of Baden-Baden
After a full day exploring the countryside, take a drive over to the historic spa town of Baden-Baden. We stayed here overnight, with the town small enough to visit by foot.
Now, the town itself has a history that dates back over 2,000 years! You see, similar to Bath (in England), Baden-Baden was favoured by the Romans to chill out and relax, especially in the heated spas of the area. To this day, as you wander around Baden-Baden, you can still spot the steaming fountains and take a dip in the spas that make this place so special.
Once here, be sure to visit Trinkhalle, a fresco-lined arcade that’s so beautiful! Built back in the 1800s, it’s a great place to go for a stroll, tour the historic Baden-Baden Casino (which is equally as grand) and the park that surrounds them. We spent a morning here and loved it.
Feeling peckish? We stopped off at Fritz & Felix for dinner and it was so yummy.
Their seasonal menu (we had the plucked lobster ricotta and charra beef) is everything – with lashings of cocktails or course. They make a mean fizzy italicus and Fritz & Felix spritz that are all made in-house.
For some views away from the cobbled streets of Baden-Baden, hop in the car and take the funicular up Merkur Mountain. Once here, you can easily follow some of the mountain-top trails and grab a light bite with some views over the region.
4.) Drive the Black Forest High Route (B500)
For a day on the road, follow the Black Forest High Route (B500) from Baden-Baden to Freudenstadt. Around 60-km in length, you’ll easily spend a whole day stopping off at various little pull-ins along the route.
So, to help you find the best things to do in the Black Forest B500 route, we’ve popped a few Google Maps links to some must-see spots.
Before you head out to explore, you might want to stop for lunch at Wirtshaus zur Geroldsauer Mühle, that’s relatively close to Baden-Baden and has some yummy cakes, too! After all, no one likes a “hangry” explorer!
First up, Geroldsauer Waterfall. This will require a little detour off the B500 and into some rather narrow lanes – but it’s worth it for the trails. Just be sure to wear good footwear, the unpaved paths can get slippy.
After hiking, hop back into your car (and the B500) to head south towards Mummelsee Lake.
Here, you’ll be able to stop off for a quick bite to eat, find all the cuckoo clocks in the roadside store and even hire a cute pedal boat for a ride around the lake itself.
As you continue your drive, be sure to stop off at All Saints’ Abbey (Kloster Allerheiligen Ruinen) and explore the ruins of this iconic 12th Century abbey. It’s pretty impressive.
Plus, you have the Allerheiligen Waterfalls that are well worth a gander, too.
Just a few kilometres south of All Saints’ Abbey is Lotharpfad, a range of boardwalks and viewing platforms that’s the perfect spot to stretch your legs. With really easy paths to follow, this is the kind of trail that’s great for the whole family!
Oh, and don’t forget about Lake Ellbachsee and its viewing platform before finishing your day in Offenburg.
After a long day on the road (and by foot on the trails), we checked into Hotel Liberty, a design hotel that used to be a historic prison. Thankfully, there are no shackles to keep you imprisoned anymore – but you can still see the original features all throughout the property. It’s so unique, we loved it.
They also have a tasty restaurant, Wasser&Brot (wine and bread) within the prison hotel! We had the yummiest seared tuna here.
5.) Zipline the Black Forest
After a good nights sleep in Offenburg, head over to the beautiful Kinzig Valley to fly above the valley! You see, perched over the valley itself is the Hirschgrund Zipline that’s one of the best things to do in the Black Forest if you’re gagging for some thrills!
Heading out into the hills, you’ll get to whizz between the valley and whoosh between the trees! We headed across a first thing in the morning and it was a better pick-me-up than any coffee! We loved it.
6.) See the Triberg Waterfalls
With a descent of over 160-metres, Triberg is one of Germany’s highest waterfalls in terms of overall height.
Plus, being around 45-minute drive from the Hirschgrund Zipline means that it’s quite easy to visit both before heading for a late lunch.
Whilst here, follow the trails through the cascading falls and take in the views and wildlife along the way.
We actually spotted nutcrackers (birds) whilst meandering through the hilly trails.
7.) Explore Freiburg (Freiburg im Breisgau)
Nestled right next to the Germany-French border, Freiburg is a gorgeous city. Not only that, it’s great if you’re hankering for a city break after exploring the countryside and all the other best things to do in the Black Forest.
Just outside the city centre, we checked into the Green City Hotel, a property that prides itself on sustainable tourism. It was great and only a 15-minute tram ride from the city centre itself.
That being said, if you want to skip the tram, book a hotel within the historic centre of the city.
Once here, be sure to explore the iconic Freiburg Cathderal, Merchants’ Hall, browse all the gorgeous stalls around Cathedral Market (open until 1:30 pm) and visit Konviktstraβe, one of the cities prettiest streets that’s filled with independent shops and cafes.
We spent the whole day wandering the city and buying little trinkets and treasure to take home.
For the best food in Freiburg, stop off for a quick lunch at Yepa Yepa. Here, they serve up some of the cities best fish tacos and horchata that has a total street food vibe and made fresh for you.
If you want a more sit down dinner in the centre of Freiburg, head over to Kuro Mori for their fluffy bao buns and zingy ceviche. Their fusion menu is so good.
Saying that, if you’re hankering for some classic German flair, head over to Glasmännlein that’s a favourite with locals. Their dishes are so good and we loved the kaiserschmarrn for pudding.
Finally, for a nightcap, head over to Au Contraire for cocktails.
This lot know their stuff when it comes to libations. We had the most amazing wasabi laced cocktails, which sounds strange but is totally delicious.
8.) Hike the Ravenna Gorge
Around 90-minutes from the centre of Freiburg, the Ravenna Gorge is a great place to head into the hills and hike the trails that criss-cross this unspoilt part of Germany.
Passing the Ravenna Bridge, along the wild creek and through the firs, hiking the Ravenna Gorge area is a lovely treat on a sunny afternoon.
We spent a good few hours walking and loved it. With easy spots to park (like this spot on Google Maps), you can quite easily stop off here for a few hours before going to enjoy the nearby Black Forest lakes nearby.
9.) Visit the Black Forest Lakes
Not too far (20-minute drive) from the Ravenna Bridge is Schluchsee, a lake that’s totally lovely to visit if you fancy hiking a little bit more or just chilling out around the lapping waters.
If you fancy a bite to eat, head over to Schluchsee (the town) where you can pop into the little cafes that line the streets. For the views, head up to the Riesenbühl Tower that’s great for a hike and the views of the Alps on a clear day.
Oh, also, just nearby you have the gorgeous Titisee Lake that’s got the cutest little town and stunning lake to wander around.
You can even spot some of the regions famous cuckoo clocks here!
10.) Scream at Europa-Park
The biggest theme park in all of Germany, Europa-Park is a gem for thrill-seekers that you really can’t miss. It’s easily one of the best things to do in the Black Forest region if you’re wanting to get your adrenaline pumping.
We decided to stay at the Hotel Colosseo, a 30-second walk from the park’s hotel-guest entrances and it was epic. With its own amphitheatre, roaring fires and Italian charm, you’d be forgiven into thinking you weren’t in Germany at all!
Once inside Europa-Park, be sure to explore all the various lands and enchanted kingdoms they have. We spent a full day on all the rides and loved the rollercoasters. The Blue Fire Mega coaster, Silver Star and Wodan made us lose our voice from all the screams.
It was so much fun.
Europa-Park has also opened Rulantica, a vast indoor water park with the most colossal slides ever! Open until around 10 pm, we headed over and spent the evening splashing around inside.
11.) Lichtenstein Castle
So, first off, let me start by saying that Lichtenstein Castle isn’t within the Black Forest!
That being said, it’s on the drive back to the nearest large airport in Stuttgart, which means it’s a perfect stopping point after exploring all the stunning views and best things to do in the Black Forest itself.
Once here, you can either choose to enter the grounds or the grounds and castle (via a guided tour). Both are great to do whilst here and your visit will typically last around 60-minutes in total.
Just leave enough time to travel to Stuttgart Airport from here – the drive is around 45-minutes from the castle itself.
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