What is the Black Forest?
The Black Forest is an area of dense evergreen forest, deep valleys and lakes stretching 100 miles from Karlsruhe down to Lake Constance in south-west Germany. It got its name from the Romans who called it Silva Nigra because the trees blocked out the light.
What is the Black Forest like?
From a distance, the forest itself looks dark and quite foreboding - like something from Hansel & Gretel. But the area itself is beautiful with many small towns perched on hillsides.
Where is the Black Forest?
Baden-Württemberg in south-west Germany
When did we go?
I lived there for an academic year in 1994-5. I went back for a day in September 2026.
How did we get there?
I was in Munich for work, so took a long train journey across to Lake Constance and then up to St Georgen im Schwarzwald, the town I had lived in.
Worth noting:
The area is rightfully famous worldwide for its Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte, or Black Forest gateau, so make sure you get a slice. The Schwarzwaldbahn is also great - it's a train line that runs down through the forest, giving you the chance to see the various towns. If I had to recommend two towns for a visit, they'd be Baden-Baden, an upmarket spa town, and Triberg, home of a big waterfall and a lot of cuckoo clocks.
What was the Black Forest's place in the 2015 edition of the Lonely Planet Ultimate Travel List?
It was 458 last time, so a huge leap up - it ascended 370 places.
Does the Black Forest deserve its higher place on the 2020 Lonely Planet Ultimate Travel List?
It definitely deserves to be on the list.
