HomeJourneysEurope › The Black Forest

The Black Forest: Route Guide

Last updated:

Triberg's falls dropping through dark pines
Photo: Mrunal Sompura · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Spa towns, cuckoo clocks, Germany's highest waterfall and ridge roads through dark pines, with cake as a daily obligation.

The Black Forest is a 160 km one-way journey (self-drive). It works best as 3–5 days; the plan below is the 4-day version for September, built from 134 verified places, with real road-routed transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.

3–5
days
160km
distance
5
Stops
134
curated stops

Plan your own version → 3-day plan · 4-day plan · 5-day plan · best time to go

The route

Baden-Baden→ 55 kmFreudenstadt→ 45 kmTriberg→ 30 kmTitisee→ 30 kmFreiburg

What you'll see

Friedrichsbad
Experience elegant historic baths in a grand, domed setting.
Baden-Baden
Hauff's Märchenmuseum
Step into the world of Hauff’s enchanting fairy tales.
Freudenstadt
The World's Largest Cuckoo Clock
See the world's largest cuckoo clock towering above.
Triberg
Heimatstuben
Explore stories of local clock makers in a charming museum.
Titisee
Schauinsland
Take in distant alpine views from the mountain's peak.
Freiburg
Fabergé Museum
Marvel at intricate, historic Fabergé eggs on display.
Baden-Baden
Hiking on "Genießerpfade"
Trek scenic trails with sweeping views of lush valleys.
Freudenstadt
The House of 1000 Clocks
Admire a vast array of unique clocks, including cuckoos.
Triberg

Choose your length

3-day plan19 stops · 7.7 h transit6.3 stops/day · 2.6 h transit/daySee the full plan →4-day plan21 stops · 8.0 h transit5.2 stops/day · 2 h transit/daySee the full plan →5-day plan27 stops · 7.4 h transit5.4 stops/day · 1.5 h transit/daySee the full plan →

When to go

Best months: May, June, July, August, September, October

Clear ridge views on the Schwarzwaldhochstrasse and hiking weather in the gorges.

See the month-by-month breakdown →

Similar journeys

Plan your own version →