Holiday in the Black Forest: Regions, Best Time & Planning

The Black Forest stretches about 160 kilometres – there is no single "Black Forest" base. Roughly: the north (Baden-Baden, Freudenstadt) is good for spas and scenic roads. The southern high Black Forest (Titisee, Feldberg) is the classic lake and winter sports area. The middle around Triberg and Gutach means waterfalls, cuckoo clocks, the open-air museum and short distances.

If you want to see several corners, start in the middle: from Triberg, Freiburg, Lake Titisee, the Feldberg and Europa-Park are all day trips.

Spring (April to June): snowmelt, powerful waterfalls, open hiking trails and quiet towns.

Summer (July to September): high season with long evenings and every attraction open – but busy at weekends.

Autumn (October to November): reliable hiking weather, autumn colours and lower prices.

Winter (December to March): Christmas markets, snow at altitude and ski lifts on the Feldberg. The valleys are not always snowy.

Accommodation and travel are the big items. You can save on transport and entry fees: in many towns overnight guests receive the KONUS guest card, which makes buses and regional trains free across the whole Black Forest. Over a week for two people that quickly replaces the cost of many journeys.

Second tip: choose an apartment over a hotel if you stay at least two nights and make your own breakfast.

Yes, if you pick a town on the railway. Triberg sits on the Schwarzwaldbahn line between Offenburg and Konstanz with hourly trains, and a local bus takes you from the station into the centre. With the KONUS card both rides are free.

• Day 1: arrive, town centre and the Triberg Waterfalls.
• Day 2: Vogtsbauernhof open-air museum in Gutach (approx. 20 minutes).
• Day 3: Freiburg with its minster and old town (approx. 1 hour).
• Day 4: Lake Titisee and the Feldberg (approx. 40 to 45 minutes).
• Day 5: a hiking day around Triberg, Black Forest gateau in the evening.