Wutach Gorge

The gorge carved by the Wutach and its tributaries is a true hiker’s paradise. The region is characterized by its overwhelming primeval landscape, with romantic gorges and primeval forests. It is located in the heart of Germany’s largest protected region – the Southern Black Forest Nature Park. There are many charming places here that are well worth a detour, including Bonndorf, Blumberg, Bräunlingen, Lenzkirch, Hüfingen, Friedenweiler, Löffingen, Wutach and Stühlingen. A ride on the acclaimed historic railway Sauschwänzlebahn is a special treat.

For more information about the Wutach Gorge:

www.wutachschlucht.de

Bildsteinfelsen

The views over the Schluchsee reservoir from the uplands of the Bildstein are breathtaking. A hike to this vantage point can be combined with a section of the well-maintained circular Schluchsee trail. And don’t miss a detour to the lakeside inn Unterkrummenhof, where wholesome snacks and delicious cakes await the traveler.

www.suedschwarzwald.biz/schluchsee/bildsteinfelsen/

Southern Black Forest / High Rhine

This region includes the most elevated part of the Black Forest. The Feldberg and the Herzogenhorn offer challenging hiking tours in summertime and skiing in the winter. And the peaks of the Belchen, Schauinsland and Blauen dominate the skyline above the Rhine plain. Some of the largest nature reserves in Baden-Württemberg and a European bird sanctuary are also situated within the Southern Black Forest. The High Rhine region is the southernmost vacation area of the Black Forest. It adjoins the Dinkelberg range of hills to the east and extends across Hotzenwald and Klettgau to Randen near Schaffhausen. The towns on both sides of the Rhine provide striking and well-preserved evidence of medieval urban architecture.

Black Forest / Danube headwaters

This region spans the area between the southeastern foothills of the Black Forest and the Swabian Alb. In the south, it borders on Switzerland. Its diverse touristic highlights offer much more than just the well-known landscape of the southern Black Forest. In the locality, a long-established popular rhyme describes the forming of the Danube by the confluence of the two streams Brigach and Breg. Along the course of the two headwaters, this scenically and culturally diverse region extends beyond Donaueschingen over the Baar plateau.

www.schwarzwald-tourismus.info/attraktionen/die-donauquelle-01d07f9409

Southern Black Forest bike trail

This 264-kilometer trail takes in the whole of the Southern Black Forest nature park. It is perfectly suitable for those who cycle for pleasure and can be completed in three to four days. The route starts in Hinterzarten and continues with some easy climbs to Titisee-Neustadt, then downhill along the Bähnle cycle path and through the Wutach Gorge to the High Rhine, before turning westwards towards Rheinfelden, over the Dinkelberg, and along the Upper Rhine towards Freiburg. The 600-meter altitude difference between Freiburg and Hinterzarten can be avoided by climbing aboard the Höllentalbahn railway.

www.schwarzwald-tourismus.info/erleben/radfahren/tourenrad-und-e-bike/fernradwege/suedschwarzwald-radweg

Schloss Bonndorf mit Kreismuseum und Narrenstuben

Das 1952 erbaute und heute rundum renovierte Schloss bietet als Kulturzentrum vielerlei Ausstellungen, Konzerte, Autorenabende und Vorträge. Besonders sehenswert: der große barocke Festsaal. Die einzigartige Narrenausstellung mit über 400 Miniaturen originalgetreuer Nachbildungen der schönsten Fasnetfiguren der schwäbisch-alemannischen Fasnet.

www.landkreis-waldshut.de/kultur-und-tourismus/kultur/kulturzentrum-schloss-bonndorf/

St. Blasien Cathedral

As the site of the fourth largest domed church in Europe and an idyllic location in its own right, St. Blasien is a special place that belongs on the itinerary of every tour of the southern Black Forest. It has an amazing history and offers great hospitality, refined cuisine and stylish stores. You are assured a warm welcome.

www.dom-st-blasien.de

Hans Thoma Museum Bernau

Since its foundation in 1949, the Hans Thoma Museum of Art has established a strong reputation that extends well beyond the boundaries of the Black Forest. Its offering focuses on a permanent exhibition containing around 50 works by the painter Hans Thoma (1839-1924), who was born in Bernau. A smaller long-term showing is dedicated to the Black Forest landscape painter Karl Hauptmann (1880-1947). Among his 14 paintings on display are several magnificent winter scenes.

For more information: www.hans-thoma-museum.de

Black Forest Ham Museum

The interactive Black Forest Ham Museum is located in the listed Feldberg Tower in the Upper Black Forest at an altitude of 1,493 meters. In three languages, it encourages visitors to use all their senses to explore the special characteristics of Black Forest ham (PGI). Insights are provided into traditional production techniques – from curing to smoking, and the recipe cards to take away really whet the appetite. In addition, the museum offers a breathtaking 360-degree panorama of the Alps and Vosges Mountains from its viewing platform. The tower is accessible via hiking trails and the Feldbergbahn cableway. The entrance is barrier-free. For opening hours see: www.schwarzwald-tourismus.info/attraktionen/schwarzwaelder-schinkenmuseum

Black Forest Ski Museum Hinterzarten

The initiator of the museum was Georg Thoma, who made Hinterzarten famous all over the world with his Olympic victory in Squaw Valley in 1960. Its establishment was supported by the local community and its then mayor Hansjörg Eckert.

So it was that the history of winter sports in the region found a home in the community-owned former farmstead Hugenhof, which was built in the 18th century. Its original rooms, on two floors, now house the museum’s departments, including the history of the building, the Georg Thoma room, early days of skiing in the Black Forest, skiing on the Feldberg, early ski films, winter sports equipment, the Black Forest winter and bobsleighing, winter painters, ski club history, and ski fashion.

The museum regularly hosts special exhibitions.

www.schwarzwaelder-skimuseum.de

Schutzverband der Schwarzwälder Schinkenhersteller

The German name of this trade pressure group, which represents the interests of the Black Forest ham producers, describes its purpose well. Ever since its foundation in 1989, it has been resolutely safeguarding the indication. Its members are proud of the high quality of Black Forest ham (PGI) and the tradition of its production in the region. The association pursues a variety of topics, including internal and external quality management, communication and marketing, and offers legal advice, especially concerning the prevention of plagiarism. Among the milestones in its history have been the attainment of EU protection (PGI) in 1997, which shields the link between the products and their production territory; the introduction of a quality seal; and the opening of the Black Forest Ham Museum in 2013.