5 things to do in the Black Forest region in Germany

These are the top 5 things to do in the black forest region of Germany.

The Black Forest in Germany (Schwarzwald) has inspired years and years of magic, folklore and fairy tales. Yet, it is a destination which many foreign tourists don’t even think of visiting. This region is located in the southwest of Germany closer to the borders with France. It is named after the general dark colour of the dense evergreen forest.

Of course, there’s much more to the black forest region than the 5 things mentioned below. But my time here was short, and I have saved them up for another day. If you are just passing through the black forest region, then these are the places you must check out.

Visit the town of Freiberg

A town inside a forest? Yes, but a pretty one. Freiberg is the largest town in Black Forest, Germany. It is also the warmest city in Germany, with a lot of sunshine around the year. It is a university town with amazing nightlife and a youngsters vibe going on.

If you want to explore the black forest region for a longer time, then this is a nice base town to stay in and go on for one-day trips nearby. There are several amazing hikes all around.

You can hike up the Schlossberg mountain or take a cable car. Go atop the lookout point here which has the most amazing views of the city below. Freiberg also has some interesting beer gardens among half-timbered houses and cobblestone streets.

Boat ride on the Titisee Lake

Titisee lake is a bit touristy, but for all the right reasons. It is very alluring and there’s not a single angle from which it looks unappealing. This lake is a high altitude lake surrounded by mountains and located right inside the black forest region of Germany.

There are several legends associated with this lake. One of which explains the name Titisee. In the local German dialect, the word Teti means a baby. And it is said that babies came out of this lake. They were carried out by a swan or a stork. But again there are similar legends for several other lakes in Europe too. So this lake is not alone. According to another local legend, this lake is said to be bottomless. Is it really? Well, I don’t know!

Along the banks of the lake are various cute little shops, cafes, and hotels. When I went here in August, summer was in full bloom. There were many pretty flowers blooming all around the place. It made me very happy. You can slow down and have a drink at one of the cafes or go on a souvenir hunt at the several little shops around here. Near the northern bank of this lake is the famous spa town of Titisee.

Yeah, and you can go rowing or boating in this pretty lake. Well, I think you must do that.

Shop at the Drubba Cuckoo Clock Factory

Cuckoo clocks are a famous clockmaking style that started in the Black Forest of Germany several decades ago. They gained quick popularity all around the world because of their extraordinary design. They have a pendulum controlled mechanism where a typical cuckoo’s call strikes the hours. After every hour is complete the doors open and the cuckoo bird comes out to tell the time. And even today the cuckoo clocks from this Black forest region of Germany are quite famous all around the world.

The Black forest also houses the largest cuckoo clock in the world. It is the size of a small mansion. It is located right next to the Drubba Cuckoo clock factory, which is at the very heart of the Black Forest. At the factory, they give a demonstration about the history of these cuckoo clocks. They will show you how the models progressed through the ages to the modern-day Cuckoo clocks we see today. This also gives a beautiful insight into how it operates. There is a colossal shop in the factory, where you can buy one of these famous Cuckoo Clocks as a souvenir to take home. Very close to this factory, they have another pretty shop full of glass artefacts, articles and blown glass. It is very difficult to leave this place without buying anything.

Hike to the Ravenna Gorge in Black Forest Germany

Ravenna Gorge is located close to the Drubba Cuckoo clock factory. Actually, the cuckoo clock factory, the glass shop and a few other restaurants are a hub of facilities at the base of the Ravenna gorge. Ravenna gorge is a pretty gorge or valley in the Hollental region from where the Ravenna river flows. It is a beautiful area for hiking. The most charming viaduct (bridge) is located here. It was created for the Hollental railways and it is clearly visible from near the Drubba clock factory.

Eat the Black Forest Gateau (Cake)

Apart from giving the world the beautiful cuckoo clocks, the black forest region has made another important culinary contribution. Yes, the origin of the famous black forest cake (gateau) is this place in Germany. It is also called the German Chocolate Cake. So don’t forget to taste it when you come here. It is available at the pretty hotels around the Drubba clock factory, but I think that must be the touristy version. Anyway, I still loved it!

It had spongy layers of chocolate stuffed with a sweet extract of tart cherries in between these chocolaty layers. And it had some whipped cream on the top, with chocolate shavings and some tart cherries. They also make a special black forest liquor from these cherries.

Related article: Make No-bake Cheesecake at home.

If you have just one day in the Black Forest of Germany, then these are the top places to visit in Black Forest, Germany. Check out some other cool places listed below, if you are in the black forest for some more time.

Other places to visit in Black forest, Germany

• Triberg waterfalls and valley
• Hornberg – sleepy village in Gutach Valley 
• Heidelberg – another pretty city
• Baden Baden – spa town and gardens
• Bad Wildbad – spa town
• Calw – prettiest town in the region
• Badische Wine Road