The Black Forest in Germany lies in the south west corner of the country. Here you will find rugged hills, sparkling clear lakes, and chalet lined valleys.
Timeless beauty & handcrafted heirlooms
When my Grandfather came back from being stationed in Germany during W.W.2. he told my Grandmother the Black Forest was the most beautiful place he had ever seen. Dotted with impressive castles and running in parallel to the mighty Rhine river, it’s easy to see why.
The Romans were the first to give the Black Forest its name, “Silva Nigra.” This is a place of childhood fairy tales and natural beauty. The forest is actually not black, but deep evergreen. The predominant species of tree here is the Norway spruce. It grows tall and beautifully straight making it an ideal timber. The Black Forest is famous for its cuckoo clock manufacturers, who have used the streamlined cones of the Norway spruce as models for the weights that power these decorative heirloom clocks.
A hikers paradise
The Black Forest is a year-round destination for lovers of nature and the great outdoors. It has over 1864 miles (3000 kilometers) of trails scribbling through the region making it a premier destination for hikers. In the winter the landscape becomes even more magical and the area is ideal for skiing and snowboarding.
Foodie fun
After returning from a day hike and enjoying the fresh air you might decide to call by one of the 310 Michelin
Delicious Black forest ham
awarded restaurants to enjoy some gourmet German cuisine and locally pressed wine. If a casual setting is more your style you could consider a vesper or typical fare for the Black Forest region. This comprises of hearty homemade sausage, smoked trout, an asparagus dish and don’t forget the Black Forest ham served with crusty bread.
I bet you didn’t know!
You can cleanse your palate with a traditional Wasserli (fruit schnapps) made from locally grown cherries, plums, pears or greengages. This traditional drink has been made in the area for centuries. For lovers of trivia, I bet you didn’t know the Black Forest has over 14,000 approved distilleries of fruit schnapps, one of the highest concentrations in the world. Alternatively, you might like to savour a slice of Schwarzwaldtorte or Black Forest Gateau. Made with sour cherries soaked with locally made cherry schnapps (Kirsch or Chriesewasserle). Kostlich, delicious!
Plan your visit
Visiting the Black Forest is easy. Blue Danube offers escorted tours to this region all year round. We can also organize a private tour or independent self-drive holiday. Don’t forget we also have a range of Rhine river cruises that visit this beautiful region too. Find out more:
For an enchanting cruise 7- day cruise on the Rhine with a Black Forest hike:
For a fabulous 8-day escorted tour to the Black Forest & Bavaria:
For a suggested 5- or 9-day tour itinerary which can be done on a self-drive basis or escorted with a private guide:
Contact us for more details.
0
