Black Forest & Lake Constance

Baden-Baden is a spa town at the foot of the northern Black Forest, known for its mineral springs and the nineteenth-century Kurhaus with its casino. You can stroll through the Lichtentaler Allee, a 2.3-kilometer park strip along the Oos river, or visit the historic Friedrichsbad from 1877. The MerkurBergbahn takes you to the top of the 668-meter-high Merkurberg for a view over the city and the Rhine Valley.

The Schwarzwaldhochstraße embraces the ridges of the northern Black Forest with spectacular views over the Rhine Valley and the Vosges. You walk along the shores of the Mummelsee, a mysterious glacial lake at an altitude of 1036 meters. Higher up, the Hornisgrinde, at 1164 meters, offers expansive panoramas. The Black Forest National Park has hiking trails through extensive peatlands and dense pine forests. In this picturesque mountain world, you can completely relax, with fragrant pines and endless vistas.

Gengenbach is a half-timbered town in the Kinzig Valley, recognizable by its eighteenth-century Rathaus on the Marktplatz with 24 windows that serve as an advent calendar. The Altstadt consists of half-timbered houses and the Kinzigtorturm, a remnant of the medieval city fortifications along the Kinzig river. From the center, you can walk to the vineyards and forested hills of the Black Forest, or cycle through the river valley.

The thirteenth-century Bächle, narrow water channels rippling through the streets of Freiburg, define the cityscape of the Old Town. The Gothic Freiburger Münster dominates the central market square with its openwork spire. Those who take the Schlossbergbahn to the forested Schlossberg look out over the red roofs and the surrounding vineyards. At Münsterplatz, you can experience the pleasant atmosphere among the stalls of the Münstermarkt while the water gently flows through the channels.

Triberg is home to the Triberg Waterfalls, where the Gutach River plunges a total of 163 meters over seven levels. The Black Forest Museum showcases regional culture with traditional costumes and historical crafts. In the immediate vicinity, you'll find the World's Largest Cuckoo Clock, and shops in the town center sell hand-carved wood carvings. You can walk directly from the built-up area to the waterfalls and the surrounding forests.

Lake Titisee is a lively hub of clear water, surrounded by the deep green coniferous forests of the Black Forest. You can walk along its shores or choose water sports on the lake. Nearby lies Lake Schluchsee, a quieter lake at an altitude of 930 meters, also surrounded by dense forests. For a panoramic view, climb the 25-meter-high Hochfirstturm on Mount Hochfirst. From there, on a clear day, you can overlook both lakes and the majestic Alps, beautifully summarizing the region's lively atmosphere.

At 1493 meters, Feldberg is the highest peak in the Black Forest, offering panoramic views of the Alps and the Vosges mountains. The 45-meter-high Feldbergturm provides a panoramic viewpoint over the surroundings. Those who hike through the protected nature reserve will pass the Feldsee, a glacial lake accessible only on foot. The Haus der Natur provides more information about the local flora and fauna. During the winter months, the mountain transforms into a lively winter sports area, where you can fully enjoy the snow.

Constance on Lake Constance surprises with its medieval charm and its proximity to the lush flower island Mainau. You can stroll through the old town full of characteristic half-timbered houses and visit the Konstanzer Münster. At the harbour entrance, the nine-meter-tall Imperia Statue rotates on its axis. On the nearby Insel Mainau, you discover exotic plants surrounding an 18th-century Baroque castle. Along the lively waterfront promenade, you enjoy panoramic views of the Alps.

Meersburg is located on the northern shore of Lake Constance and houses the Altes Schloss, a 7th-century castle considered the oldest inhabited castle in Germany. You walk through the upper town past half-timbered houses to the baroque Neues Schloss for a view over the vineyards and the water. A ferry provides the connection to the other side of the lake, and from the quay, you can see the peaks of the Alps.

Lindau is a Bavarian city on an island in Lake Constance, connected to the mainland by a bridge and railway dam. At the Lindauer Hafeneinfahrt, you'll see the six-meter-high statue of the Bayerischer Löwe and a 33-meter-high lighthouse from 1856. In the Old Town, you'll pass the Mangturm, a former lighthouse from the twelfth century with a colorful tiled roof. You can cycle from the quays along the lake shores or visit the nearby vineyards.

Oberstdorf is Germany's southernmost municipality and is located in the Allgäu Alps at an altitude of 813 meters. You can reach the summit of the 2,224-meter-high Nebelhorn by cable car or hike across the alpine meadows of the Fellhorn. In the valley, the Breitachklamm cuts through the rocks, one of Central Europe's deepest gorges.

Sigmaringen is dominated by Schloss Sigmaringen, which towers on a limestone rock above the Danube and has been the seat of the Hohenzollern family since 1535. In this residence, you can explore a large private weapons collection and the historic state rooms. Immediately outside the city limits begins the Naturpark Obere Donau with steep rock faces and cycling paths. The historic city center features half-timbered houses and squares by the river.

As the oldest city in Baden-Württemberg, Rottweil showcases a rich history. From the TK Elevator Testturm, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Alps and the Black Forest. Stroll through the historic centre past richly decorated facades and the medieval city gate Schwarzes Tor. Inside the Gothic Heilig-Kreuz-Münster, you can admire the refined woodcarvings. The charming city centre with its historic buildings everywhere shows traces of a rich past.

Freudenstadt is situated on a high plateau in the northern Black Forest and is built around the Marktplatz, which, with its characteristic arcades, is the largest in Germany. The Stadtkirche from 1601 has a rare L-shape where the two wings are at a right angle to each other. On the 799-meter-high Kienberg, you can climb the Friedrichsturm for a view over the pine forests. In the local restaurants, you can taste the traditional cuisine of Baden-Württemberg.

Baden-Baden is a spa town at the foot of the northern Black Forest, known for its mineral springs and the nineteenth-century Kurhaus with its casino. You can stroll through the Lichtentaler Allee, a 2.3-kilometer park strip along the Oos river, or visit the historic Friedrichsbad from 1877. The MerkurBergbahn takes you to the top of the 668-meter-high Merkurberg for a view over the city and the Rhine Valley.