Tall fir trees, rustic farmhouses, hearty food – the Black Forest is renowned for its diverse landscape and culinary specialities. The popular holiday region in southwest Germany is also rich in tradition and history.
A good 200 kilometres long and 60 kilometres wide, the Black Forest is not only one of the most varied, but also one of the biggest and best known holiday regions in Germany. The Black Forest maids, Black Forest farms, Black Forest gateau, Bollenhut hats, cuckoo clocks - the Black Forest embodies everything that one might expect of a German picture book holiday.
You will see forest-bedecked mountains, sunny mountain pastures, green peaks, panoramic views of the French Vosges to the west and the Swiss Alps to the south alternate with deep lying river valleys, small towns made up of timber-framed houses, and picture-perfect villages. Vines grow on the western edge of the Black Forest, and the resulting wines can be found in the greatest wine guides and in the wine cellars of connoisseurs across the globe.
The Black Forest was the birthplace of skiing in central Europe, with the first ski club being founded at the Feldberg Mountain that rises to a height of 1,493 metres. It was here where the first wooden skis were produced and the first ski lift was built. Today, the Feldberg region is one of the largest ski resorts outside of the Alps.
The Black Forest Association, (Schwarzwald Verein), was founded over 130 years ago and since then has signposted walking trails of over 23,000 kilometres in the Black Forest.
Cyclists and bike enthusiasts of all kinds will also find ideal conditions in the south-western parts of the federal state of Baden-Württemberg. More than 8,000 kilometres of cycle trails have been signposted especially for mountain bikers.
If you don't arrive in Germany until winter you should make sure that you visit the Christmas markets in the towns full of small timber-framed houses, for example the Christmas Markets in Gengenbach, in Baden-Baden or in Freiburg. Also be sure not to miss the 130-metre-high stone viaduct arches of the legendary train journey that runs through the Black Forest via the Ravennaschlucht gorge. Then there are 'Germany's tallest waterfalls' in Triberg – another must. They fall a distance of 135 metres, passing several cascades en route. But between Christmas and the end of the year, around 750,000 candles and lights illuminate icicles and snow drifts over the gurgling mountain stream.
Until nowadays the typical Black Forest farm houses can be seen in the landscape. Some of them are used for other purposes, for example as Youth Hostels – such as in St. Blasien-Menzenschwand, Veltishof and in Wolfsgrund. They all offer modern comfort in historical buildings.
Youth Hostel Baden-Baden
The
Youth Hostel is based in the very romantic up-hill-side directly connected to the forest. From here you can walk to town over the mountain-side or you take the bus to very beautiful centre of town, where even the romans already organized their culture of bathing. Walking to the centre takes about 35 min. The Youth Hostel counts 147 beds, 2-4-5-6 persons bedrooms are available, some of them with shower/toilet.
Youth Hostel Freudenstadt
Freudenstadt is a small town in the Black Forest boasting the largest market square in Germany. The charming town is surrounded by forests and offers a lot of activities, arts, nature and great shopping. The market square is surrounded by countless cafés where you can sit and watch all of the fifty fountains!
Right next to the
Youth Hostel you’ll find the Panaromabad water park where you can relax and have lots of fun. Later, visit our bistro and have a Macchiato on the sunny terrace and then play a game of table tennis or football. We also offer great meals made from fresh produce.
Youth Hostel Rudenberg
The
Youth Hostel is located in the Rudenberg area (roughly 1.000 metres above sea level) at the foot of Hochfirst mountain, 10 kilometres from Lake Titisee. In Neustadt you can also find an official Kneipp spa resort surrounded by high forests. In snowy winters the area is great for skiing.
