Visiting the Black Forest and the town of Triberg, Germany
We traveled through Germany’s Black Forest, located in a mountainous region in Southwest Germany, on days four and five of our two-plus week trip through the southern half of Germany and northern tip of Austria.
A visit to the Black Forest promises over 100 miles of vast woodlands, timber homes and majestic waterfalls. We drove down the Schwarzwaldhochstrasse (the Black Forest Highway) and arrived to the area with windows down as a light snow began to fall, gracing the tops of the deep green trees. Fresh pine smells wafted through the windows and small flakes hit the dashboard.
I read somewhere that the Black Forest got its name because the pine trees are so dense, the sun struggles to reach the forest floor. The Black Forest is known as the home of the cockoo clock, the Brothers Grimm fairy tales and its famous spa towns; but the area as a whole is vast and unique, not as easy to sum up. While the Black Forest town of Seebach, where we stayed our first night in the Black Forest, did gave off a fairy tale vibe, the nearby town of Baden-Baden (where we’d stopped the day before) was an out-of-the woods happening spot with lots to do and see.
See the photos below.
Baden-Baden, Germany
Views above Seebach, Germany
The whole area is popular for tourists and locals alike. Whether you’re looking for vast hiking trails or days of relaxation, you’ll find it in the Black Forest. And if you make it to this magical area, I hope you are able to check out the town of Triberg. We spent just one afternoon in Triberg, perusing the cuckoo clock shops, trying the region’s famous Black Forest gateau, welcoming the snow and hiking to the region’s highest accessible waterfall. Here’s a recap of our day spent in Triberg, and some tips on what to check out when you’re there!
As soon as we arrived, a light snow began to fall on the town. We watched out the windows as we had lunch and I hopped out to dance in it a bit. As Minnesota residents, we are used to long winters and were hopeful for Spring-like temperatures and sunshine on our Germany trip, but the fresh snow hitting the old shops and evergreen trees was pure magic, so we couldn’t complain.
The snow left a slick coating on the trails, so we were thankful to have substantial boots as we ventured into the Triberg forest. (Tip: if you’re heading to Europe in the Spring or the Fall, be sure to pack a good pair of hiking boots that you can layer in warm socks with, if needed!)
We didn’t realize the Triberg waterfall is one of the most visited natural spots in the country. (Note: there is a cost to enter the trail, which almost drove us away as we did not have a ton of time to explore, but it was well worth it!) We were lucky to be there when the town was relatively quiet, which allowed for a more peaceful walk through the forest. It truly felt otherworldly and the coolness from the light, new snow touching down was so refreshing. It felt like walking through a snow globe!
After our hike, we stopped into Cafe Schaefer to try some Black Forest gateau. We’d decided Triberg was the place to do it, so we resisted all temptations in route (and trust me – there were plenty!) until we made it into town. Black Forest cake is made of (heaps of) dark chocolate (cocoa powder), whipped cream, Morello cherries and Kirsch (cherry alcohol). There are at least a dozen bakeries in Triberg, so do a little digging, decide what place sounds the most enticing to you, and prepare to indulge.
Another recommended place to check out in Triberg (though we did not have the time to do so) is the Schwarzwaldmuseum, located on the main road, a few miles outside Triberg. The museum provides a great summary of the history of the Black Forest with its unique culture and community. The world’s largest cuckoo clock in the world (as noted in the Guinness Book of World Records) is located in Eble Clock Park just outside of Triberg. The giant clock is 15 feet high and a shop has been built within that contains plenty of cuckoo clock souvenirs and more history.
Triberg was a magical town and our time there is one of my favorite memories of our trip to Germany. During the Holiday season, Triberg is a popular Christmas Market location. Germans go to the Black Forest (and Triberg) to unwind and recharge - and it makes sense. If you find yourself in the breathtaking Black Forest region of Germany (as you should!), plan for an afternoon in Triberg. You won’t regret it!
