Black Forest

Black Forest Travel Guide

The Black Forest is synonymous with cuckoo clocks and primeval woodland: certainly thousands of acres are cloaked in pines, and at least one entire town, little Triberg, goes all atwitter every hour. To many younger Germans, the Black Forest is nothing but a faded 1950's postcard. In the years following WWII, this was one of Germany's most popular tourist regions, but these days, the Black Forest has lost some of its appeal, even though it has regained its status as an unspoiled, natural area thanks to vigorous environmental protection programs.

Apart from walking, hiking, and (in winter) some modest skiing, Black Forest attractions include the historic university town of Freiburg in the far Southwest -- one of the most colorful and hippest student cities in Germany -- and proud and mercurial Baden-Baden, with its long tradition of spas and casinos. Baden-Baden provides a stark contrast to the secluded woodlands, and remains more worldly and chic than the rest of the German Southwest put together.