Why the Black Forest in Germany is Worth Visiting 

What if I tell you that you are going to experience long hiking trails, picturesque villages, and thermal spas in the middle of the dark, shady conifer forest? Isn’t it interesting, the spot is famous as the Black forest of Germany. 

Black Forest, or Schwarzwald, is located in the Southwest of Germany, and nowadays, tourism has become a dominant industry in the black forest.  

There are developments underway, but it is still worth visiting. There are many fun activities that we gonna discuss in this article. But before that, let's uncover a brief history of the Black Forest. 

1- A Brief History of the Black Forest 

It has become a popular tourist attraction in Germany, but for centuries, it was isolated. You might be curious why it is called the black forest.  

The name Black Forest comes from its thick canopy of evergreen trees, which are so dense that rays of light rarely reach the ground.  

When Romans came to this area, they named it Silver Marciana and marked it as an edge of the empire.  

During the middle ages, small villages developed which still exist; their livelihood depends on forestry, small scale farming, wood carving and clock making.  

There are many folklores and fairytales associated with the black forest. Some of the famous ones were collected by the Brothers Grimm. 

2- What's the best time to visit Black Forest? 

All I would say is that there are many tourist activities throughout the year, so the best time to visit the Black Forest is based on your interests. Here’s how we can break it down.  

1- Summer (July to August)  

It is the best time to do outdoor activities. In this season, you can enjoy hiking, swimming, biking, and water sports activities. Apart from that, what I love about visiting the Black Forest during the summer is the local festivals; it is the peak time of local festivals there.  

One more amazing aspect was the open-air dining. Since it's a peak season, the place is filled with people, so you may expect higher accommodation prices than usual.  

2- Spring ( April- June)  

I must say this is the best time to explore the Black Forest, as spring arrives, the flowers bloom, and the greenery appears everywhere. This is the season when you see fewer crowds and affordable accommodation prices. You can do all those fun activities like hiking, cycling etc.  

3- Winter (December to Feburary)  

It's the best time if you like winter sports like skiing and snowboarding and you can also enjoy thermal spas. You will see there are Christmas markets everywhere. However, the intensity of the winter may increase and potentially affect tourism.  

For instance, the temperature may fall below the freezing point, and snowfall may occur. In winter, the days are short, so you will have fewer chances to perform outdoor activities, and heavy snowfall can affect the route of higher-altitude roads. All I believe is that it's the least ideal time to visit Black Forest.  

Fun Activities to do in the Black Forest 

Here is what you can do during your visit to the Black Forest.  

1- Hiking through Forest Trails 

The number one thing you can do here is hiking, thanks to its well-marked and well-maintained trails. There are many famous hiking routes, like the Schluchtensteig Trail, which will take you through some beautiful wooden bridges and dense forest.  

If you want to explore the forest more deeply than Westweg Trail is ideal for it. It is the longest trail in the forest, spanning over 280km. 

2- Biking 

If you want to cover most of the Black Forest, then try biking. There are well-maintained biking trails. The best part is you don’t need to bring your bike alongside.   

There are bike rental services that offer e-bikes at some affordable rates. Other than that, If you also looking for affordable Car Parking,  try Manchester Airport Cheap Parking.  

You can take the 93 km-long Kinzig route or choose the more advanced one, the Black Forest Panorama Route.  

There is good news for you: Annual bike festivals and marathons are held during the summer season every year.  

3- Water Activities 

Here, you can enjoy boating, kayaking, and swimming in the crystal-clear lake. For boating, paddle boating, or eclectic boating, there is one place in Black Forest that comes to my mind is Lake Titisee. 

Also, read our useful blog about How I Mastered Last-minute Getaways Without Blowing The Budget.

It is an amazing place surrounded by lush greenery and some amazing cafes.  

If you are looking for perfect clean water for a dip, then Lake Schluchsee is best for a summer swim.  

There are plenty of thermal spas there. After a long hiking or bike ride, you can relax in one of the thermal spas.The Black Forest is home to several thermal spas.  

4- Visit Castles 

There are several castles in the Black Forest. The popular one is Hohenzollern Castle, which has such a stunning garden. It hosts many events throughout the year. Apart from that you will see ruins of castles like Yburg Castle situated above the vineyard.  

Final Thoughts 

If you love hiking, biking, and swimming while relaxing in the thermal spa at the end of the day, then Black Forest is the destination you never miss. 

The best time to visit the Black Forest is during the summer season when you can enjoy many activities, but be aware of the crowds. If you love skiing, then visit during the winter season. In the end, the Black Forest is an amazing spot for tourists.