By Yasmin Balent
With an area of around 11,100 km2, the Black Forest is one of the largest holiday areas in Germany. It is around 160 km long and 60 km wide. Germany’s largest low mountain range offers a wide variety of landscapes such as forest mountains, meadow valleys and treeless mountain peaks.
Two of the largest nature parks in Germany are located in the Black Forest, the “Southern Black Forest” and the “Black Forest Middle/North”. The latter is also home to the very first national park in Baden-Württemberg.
More than 70 Black Forest mountains are higher than 1000 meters, the highest is 1493 meters high. Over 320 towns are part of the holiday region. Well-known cities like Freiburg, Baden-Baden, Karlsruhe and Freudenstadt are located here, but also many small towns make the Black Forest to what it is.
In 2018 a visitor record was set. In the period from January to November more than 8 million guests were counted.
Whether you are planning a wine tour at the Kaiserstuhl, a racing bike tour in the Hochschwarzwald, or whether you are planning a holiday with your family the Black Forest offers a variety of options.
The most beautiful regions
Albtal
The small river that rises in Bad Herrenalb and flows to the northwest not only provides a beautiful scenary but also gives its name to the region between Bad Herrenalb, Ettlingen and Karlsruhe. The city railway connects the towns and offers an optimal journey from Karlsruhe.
A cycle path of approximately 25 kilometers offers nature enjoyment and at the same you can visit many sights along the route. Sights you can visit are the historic Klosterstraße in Bad Herrenalb, the Klosterruine in Frauenalb or the historic town centre in Ettlingen. For hikers, there are numerous theme trails that are also interesting for children.
Do not forget to visit the ruins of the Frauenalb monastery with its two baroque towers. It forms a magnificent décor for open-air concerts. Also, Marxzell, a defiant legendary stone church and a technical museum await visitors.
The gastronomic level in the Albtal is high, the offer is equally large: the spectrum ranges from the excellent gourmet cuisine of the Ettlingen Hereditary Prince to creative regional cuisine and local breweries.
Upper Black Forest
With its 1493 meters the Feldberg is the highest peak of all German low mountains. In winter it is the largest conncted ski area outside of the Alps. In summer it provides a unique flora. The Schluchsee and the Titisee are the largest lakes for water sports enthusiasts and sun worshippers. They are popular destinations at any time of the year.
Sunny mountain peaks, blue lakes, forests, meadows and fine Black Forest gastronomy come together here. Everything that makes a holiday valuable for the whole family.
Kaiserstuhl and Tuniberg
The Kaiserstuhl is 16 kilometres long and 12.5 kilometres wide. Spring is already coming to Kaiserstuhl and Tuniberg, when large parts of the country are still dominated by winter. Although the Kaiserstuhl has strong temperature fluctuations throughout the year, it is the warmest area in the Black Forest region. The unique climate and fertile soils are home to a lush flora and fauna, with over 30 species of orchids.
These extraordinary conditions have turned the Kaiserstuhl into an island with southern plants and animal species that are hard to find elsewhere. The volcanic origin and the predominant loess soil also offer ideal conditions for fine wines. Convince yourself of the best tastes during a visit to a winery or at one of the many wine festivals.
Murgtal
The Murgtal – Badische Schwiss is to be found in the northern Black Forest. The Murgtal starts approximately 20 km south of Karlsruhe and stretches from Baiersbronn via Forbach, Weisenbach, Loffenau, Gernsbach, Gaggenau, Kuppenheim to the outskirts of Rastatt. Baden-Baden is only a few kilometres away.
The Murg, fed by torrents and springs, gave the valley its name. Two source rivers: the Rote and the Weiße Murg rise near the Schliffkopf and unite in Obertal (Baiersbronn) to form the Murg. The river is wild and romantic in many parts. On its way to the mouth of the Rhine, the river is accompanied by rugged cliffs, mighty forests, meadows and orchards.
A special feature of the Murgtal are the hay hut valleys. They belong to this unique cultural landscape of the Black Forest. Immigrants from Tyrol once brought the hay hut construction methods to the Black Forest Valley. The hay huts stored the fragrant hay which was brought back from Tyrol before winter.
Wiesental
Let yourself be captured by this impressive and at the same time idyllic nature. Between Todtnau and Aftersteg, the Todtnauer waterfalls plunge 97 metres into the depth in the rear Wiesental valley. Todtnau has a 3.5-kilometre-long toboggan run. It is one of the longest all-weather toboggan runs in Germany called the Hasenhorn Rollercoaster.
Around Zell, in the middle of the Wiesental, the villages of the Zeller Bergland are situated in an almost fog-free landscape at altitudes of up to 1300 metres. In Zell, the textile museum is certainly worth visiting. It provides information about the development of the textile industry, which formed the most important economic sector in the region in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Are you excited about the Black Forest, then let’s go. We will be happy to fly you to your favorite region tomorrow and take your flying experience to another level. Entrust us with your travel plans and we will make it possible.
Freiburg, Baden-Baden or in Lahr, there are airports or airfields everywhere where it is possible for us to land and bring you as close as possible to your destination. Please have a look at our website and see for yourself how far away the nearest airport is.
Are you looking for more inspiration for your next vacation in Germany? Check out our selection of tips and discover Germany by private jet.
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