There are few regions of Germany that evoke more mystery and beauty than the Black Forest. Famous for its dense forests, enchanting villages, cascading waterfalls, and thermal spa towns, the Black Forest is an ideal destination for a road trip. Called Schwarzwald in German, the Black Forest offers endless things for any type of traveler.
It is beloved by German travelers and international tourists alike. My husband and I went on a road trip with my parents this fall, and we were absolutely blown away by the beautiful scenery, delicious food, and charming villages.
The Black Forest is roughly kilometers long and 60 kilometers wide. There is technically a Black Forest National Park, but when most people refer to the Schwarzwald, they are talking about the larger region. It is best known for its enchanting fairytale forests, quaint villages, spectacular waterfalls and mist shrouded mountains.
The easiest way to get around in the Black Forest is by car. Highway A5 runs along the western edge of the Black Forest while Highway A81 runs through the valley on eastern side of the region. From these two highways, there are a number of connections to cross the forest, and cut into some of the smaller towns. There are a couple of predetermined driving routes that you could follow in the Schwarzwald.
This is the oldest tourist route in the Black Forest, visiting a number of famed locations with excellent panoramic scenery. If it is your first time in the Black Forest, this route is an easy choice. Like most highways in Germany, the road conditions in the Black Forest are excellent, well-marked, and easy to navigate. Adverse weather happens regularly in this region, especially fog, so make sure you are comfortable driving.
