Hiking & Exploring Black Forest in Spring

Hiking to explore Black forest in Spring

Embark on a soul-stirring journey through the enchanting landscapes of the Black Forest, a verdant haven nestled in the heart of southwestern Germany. In spirng & summer months, this majestic region transforms into a hiker's paradise, offering an array of trails that wind through ancient forests, meadows blanketed with wildflowers, and rugged peaks.

Begin your adventure in one of the picturesque villages that dot the forest's edge, where charming guesthouses and cozy cafes welcome weary travelers. Lace up your boots and set out along well-marked paths.

As you hike, immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of nature's symphony. Listen to the rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze, breathe in the earthy scent of pine, and marvel at the dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy above.

Discover hidden treasures along the way, from cascading waterfalls tucked away in secluded gorges to panoramic viewpoints that offer sweeping vistas of the rolling hills below. Keep an eye out for wildlife, from deer and wild boar to elusive foxes and birds of prey.

After a day of exploration, unwind with a hearty meal of traditional Black Forest cuisine, featuring hearty stews, savory sausages, and decadent desserts like Black Forest cake. Then, as the sun sets behind the horizon, retreat to your accommodations, where you can rest and rejuvenate before another day of adventure in this natural wonderland.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS?

• Discover Triberg (Cuckoo Clock Capital): Known as the unofficial cuckoo capital of the world and also houses the world’s largest cuckoo clock. Cuckoo clocks are an important part of Black Forest history, and they have been made in the region since the 1700s. Besides that, Triberg is also famous for one of Germany's highest waterfalls with the area around the entrance to the waterfalls being reminiscent of Disneyland.
• Discover Freiburg: A vibrant city in southwest Germany’s Black Forest, is known for its temperate climate and reconstructed medieval old town, crisscrossed by picturesque brooks (bächle). Situated in the heart of the major Baden wine-growing region, Freiburg also serves as the primary tourist entry point to the scenic beauty of the Black Forest.
• Feldbergsteig: A hiking trail with many superlatives! Stunning views and impressive nature make this path exciting and varied from the first to the last step. You are led over pastures, through steep slopes and forests. Feldberg at 1,493 meters (4,898 ft) is the highest point in the Black Forest, the highest point in Germany outside of the Alps, offering vast panoramic views – you can even see Mont Blanc during good weather. the crowning glory with being the cherry on top.
• Feldsee : The Feldsee, also known as the Feldbergsee, is located in the Southern Black Forest Nature Park. A circular path around the lake shows interested hikers all sides of the cirque lake, known as the dark eye.
• Panoramic Trail (Baden-Baden - time perrmitting): Varied and exciting trail that takes you along Castle ruins from the Middle Ages, hidden forest paths and the large rock pillars of the Battert. The cliffs always promise a fantastic view over the city of Baden-Baden through to Alsace.
• Discover Baden Baden: Considered one of the most beautiful spots in Black Forest, this 19th–century town is filled with striking french architecture and old-world luxury. Baden-Baden is part of the transnational UNESCO World Heritage Site under the name "Great Spa Towns of Europe", because of its famous spas and architecture that exemplifies the popularity of spa towns in Europe in the 18th through 20th centuries.
• Caracalla Thermal Baths in Baden-Baden (optional): Named after the Roman Emperor Caracalla who came to Baden-Baden in the third century to soak his arthritis away, Caracalla is the modern response to a traditional bathing culture - an experience of all senses.
• Schwarzwald Bahn: Schwarzwald Bahn (Black Forest railway) passes directly across the Black Forest, through spectacular scenery, and passing through numerous tunnels and viaducts.
• Baden -Baden Casino (optional & based on ticket selection): Baden-Baden casino combines style, history, exclusivity and elegance like no other casino and is one of the most traditional casinos in Europe. Experience the fascination of gambling in one of the most beautiful casinos in the world.

Trip Details:

Start & End Date:

• Option A - Thursday afternoon, 8 May - Sunday evening, 11 May .
• Option B - Thursday afternoon, 8 May - Monday morning, 12 May .

Note: Thursday, 8 May is a public holiday in Germany

Meeting location & time: Meet outside Freiburg(Breisgau) Train station from 2 pm on Thursday.

Finishing location & time:

• Option A - Baden Baden Train station at 5 pm on Sunday.
• Option B - Baden Baden Train station on Monday morning.

Note: If you are arriving / departing earlier or later, please make us aware, so that we can make relevant arrangements.

Price: Starting from 345 euros (before any discounts).

Hiking Distance:

• Day 0 (No hiking): Meet and greet in Freiburg.
• Day 1: 5km - Discover Triberg & the famous waterfalls
• Day 2: 15km - Hiking Feldbergsteig with with ascent & descent of around 300m over the course of the day.
• Day 3: 10km - Exploring Baden-Baden and the doing the Panaromic trail.
• Day 4 (No hiking): - Heading back home

Hiking Difficulty: Intermediate – Hiking moderate distance at moderate pace with multiple break times on steep paths and stairs (in certain parts), moderate elevation, sure-footedness & good fitness is required.

What is included ?

• Community guide & leader for the entire trip (Speaks English & hindi). Note: English is the main language on this trip.
• 3 x nights shared accommodation in Freiburg (triple-share rooms). Note: Refer to add-on's for accommodation upgrade options possible.
• 1x night shared accommodation in Baden-Baden(based on ticket selection).
• Guided hike Feldbergsteig
• Guided hike in Triberg and around Triberg waterfall
• Entry to Black Forest museum
• Entry to Triberg waterfalls.
• Complimentary Black Forest cake from one of the best cafe's serving this amazing cake.
• Guided hike to castle ruins & panaromic trail in Baden-Baden
• Short guided walking tour of Baden-Baden.
• All transportation included from the meeting location to the finishing location (based on your ticket selection).
• Breakfast supplies provided on all days.
• Organizing lunch & dinner places (payment to be made by participants).
• Access to a dedicated whatsapp group for this event to connect with other trip mates, coordinate arrival options & stay in touch (link to whatsapp group in the ticket).
• Access to a google photos album dedicated to this trip, where you can share all your amazing pics & videos.

How to get to Freiburg?

• Flight: Closest airports are Basel (Switzerland) or Frankfurt (Germany) and from there you can catch a train that will take 1 - 2 hours to get to Freiburg.
• Train: Flixtrain & Db Bahn have cheap train tickets currently from Berlin to Freiburg (Breisgau) train station.
• Please reach out directly for Flight or Train inclusive offers from anywhere in Europe.

WHAT IS THE PLAN?

Day 0 (Thursday) - Meet & Greet in Freiburg: Meet your guide and the rest of the participants outside Freiburg train station and then head to the accommodation or if you are arriving earlier or later, can meet directly at the accommodation in Freiburg. Note: We would be staying in Freiburg for the next 3 nights

Day 1: Discover Triberg (Cuckoo Clock Capital of the world) - Starting early Saturday morning, we take a train to Triberg from Freiburg that is considered one of the most beautiful train journeys in Germany. Once in Triberg we do a short hike to get to the world's biggest cuckoo clock and also discover the area around the waterfalls. Once we have explored Triberg, we head back to our accommodation in Freiburg.

Day 2:Hiking Feldbergsteig - Post an early breakfast, we catch public transport to get to the starting point of Feldbergsteig hike. Today we would be hiking to the summit of the Feldberg, the highest mountain outside of the German alps . Once at the summit, we capture the stunning sights of Black forest before grabbing a bite/drink at the historic huts and possibly having a “black forest cake” (if they have not already sold out of it) before heading down and catching public transport to get back to our accommodation in Freiburg. For those that are interested, once back at Freiburg and post dinner, we head out for a few drinks in Freiburg.

Day 3:Explore Baden-Baden & hike the Panaromic trail + Caracella Baths (optional) + Baden Baden Casino (optional) - Post breakfast & checkout, we head to Baden-Baden to explore this beautiful town filled with stunning French architecture along with a hike that takes you along ruins from the Middle Ages, offering a unique panoramic view of Baden-Baden and the Rhine valley. Post the hike, we head back to Baden-Baden and say our good bye's to everyone that is heading back home and for the rest that are staying over for in Baden-Baden you have the option of either visiting Caracella baths (100% recommended) or just taking a stroll in Baden-Baden and then meeting up for dinner later. Post dinner we visit the famous Baden -Baden Casino that combines style, history, exclusivity and elegance like no other casino and is one of the most traditional casinos in Europe. Experience the fascination of gambling in one of the most beautiful casinos in the world.

Day 4 (Monday): Exploring Heidelberg & heading back home- Post breakfast & checkout, we head to Baden-Baden train station where we say our good bye's.

F un Fact

• The Romans gave the mountain range the name “Black Forest” because of the densely packed conifer trees — which are very dark green — found in the area. The forest is not actually black when you look at it, but the Romans felt it was scary and dark because no light showed through the dense canopy of spruce, hence giving it the name silva nigra.

• There are thermal springs that are popular in the region with the Romans starting the communal bathing trend that continues today with the 12 thermal springs surrounding the town of Baden-Baden and the 30 spas you can visit. The mineral water supposedly has healing properties, so be sure to spend a day or two soaking, especially great after a long hike.

• Many famous German tales are believed to be set there, including the famous story of Hansel and Gretel. When you walk amongst the woods, soak up the magical atmosphere and look around carefully – you might see something even more magical than the old trees and ruins.

WHO IS THE COMMUNITY GUIDE FOR THIS TRIP?

Maddy Satya (See pics below) - Founder of Urbanature Travel & Community Guide

A bit about me, I have lived in 5 countries including India, New Zealand, Australia, UK and Germany (Berlin) presently. I have also travelled to just under 40 countries and love travelling to meet people and further broaden my horizons and also lastly to challenge myself. Travelling is my passion & way of life.

I founded Urbanature Travel with the aim of providing options to travel to amazing places with me & my fellow like-minded guides. Our trips involves a mash-up of urban exploring and comfortable nature trails & hikes planned & designed by us to ensure that you have a great time & have a more holistic experience.

Looking forward to seeing you on this trip!!!

WHAT ARE YOUR REVIEW'S LIKE FROM PREVIOUS TRIPS?

We have over 250+ 5 -star reviews in Google and to go through our amazing reviews by participants, click on the links below:

• Google Reviews
• Facebook reviews

WHAT IS NEXT ?

• WhatsApp Group: In the ticket confirmation page, you will find a link to a whatsapp group dedicated to this event. This group is where you can connect with trip mates, coordinate arrival options & stay in touch.
• Trip Briefing: You will find a link in the whatsapp group description to a detailed trip briefing document providing details on what to expect, how to prepare etc.
• Google Photos Album: You will find a link in the whatsapp group description to the shared google photos album where you can upload & view all shared photos & videos from the trip.

HOW DO I CONTACT YOU FOR ANY QUERIES / CONCERNS?

• WHATSAPP (fastest): Reach out to us directly by clicking here.
• EMAIL: Reach out to us by clicking on "Contact the event organizer" option below.
• FACEBOOK: Message our facebook page @urbanaturetravel
• INSTAGRAM: Message our Instagram page @urbanaturetravel

WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?

• Free cancellation up to 14 full days before the start of the trip. After that, cancel up to 7 days before the trip to get a 50% refund.
• If the event is cancelled on our end, you will get a full refund.
• Please note that the program, as well as the venue is subject to change due to extreme weather conditions, as well as to the characteristics and size of the group.
• Urbanature Travel (UNT) needs a minimum of 5 participants for this trip to take place, else we may cancel this trip.
• UNT reserves the right to cancel the trip, modify the route, change the accommodation or re-schedule hikes and without prior notice.
• UNT is not responsible for any loss, theft, damage or personal injury that occurs during the trip.

Check out some pics below from our previous trip to Black Forest.