3 Must-see family-friendly destinations in the Black Forest
We've all heard that the Black Forest was the inspiration for the Brothers Grimm fairytales, but what I didn't realize was just how large it is. According to Britannica, it spans 2,320 square miles in Southwestern Germany and borders France. With such a sprawling area, this means there are plenty of hiking and other activities to be enjoyed in this region. Today, I am sharing three things we've done as a family in the Black Forest that we've really enjoyed.
1) Triberg
Located a little over an hour from Stuttgart, Triberg was one of the first places in the Black Forest we explored. We went down for the giant cuckoo clock and waterfalls on a Saturday in early fall. The giant cuckoo clock was underwhelming, but the waterfalls were beautiful, the shops filled with clocks mesmerizing, and the famous Black Forest Cake at the end was perfection. Within Triberg, there are several walking loops you can embark on, all rated easy to moderate in difficulty. The most popular one is the Cascade Trail, which takes you through town and by the waterfalls. This is what we did. It takes roughly 45 minutes to complete, but we took our time at the waterfalls, letting the kids take in the mushrooms, falling leaves, and fresh air.
Adler Triberg: Where to get your Black Forest Cake!
Triberg Waterfalls: €8 per adult, children 6 and under free (summer rates)
2) Allerheiligen Wasserfälle
Allerheiligen Wasserfälle
Located in Schwarzwald National Park, this beautiful nature trail takes you past trickling streams, gorgeous waterfalls, and eventually to the ruins of an old monastery, All Saints' Abbey. Along the way, you will see cows, goats, and other animals, much to our children's delight. This was the perfect way to spend a half-day in the Black Forest and an effortless stroll (after you get past the steps near the waterfalls). There are plenty of other, more challenging trails nearby; make sure you check them out on AllTrails. Near the Abbey, there are restrooms and a restaurant.
3) Treetop Walk Black Forest (Baumwipfelpfad Schwarzwald) + Adventure Forest Sommerberg
Treetop Walk Baumwipfelpfad Schwarzwald
Pack a picnic lunch and prepare to spend the day among the trees. We started the morning with the treetop walk, which was filled with obstacles and fun facts about the vegetation and wildlife occupying the forest. Although it was one of the hottest days we've seen this year in Germany, the tree canopy kept us nice and cool throughout the day. When you reach the end of the treetop walk, you arrive at the spiraling tower, which provides endless views of the rolling forest around you at the top. If you dare, you can pay €2 and ride the 55-metre slide down to the bottom.
Located just outside the treetop walk exit is the Adventure Forest Sommerberg, an 8,000-square-meter fenced-in playground for children of all ages. It has learning stations, swings, a trampoline, and fantastic tree forts with spiraling slides that our kids spent over an hour on alone. If you plan to spend the day there, you can have your hand stamped, allowing you to come and go as you please. There is also a small concession stand at the entrance, which is cash only. Of note, if you don’t want to pay to do the tree-top walk and only want to go to the kids play area, you can just walk there from the parking lot.
Hours: 9:30-18:00 (changes by the season, check their website for updates)
Admission Treetop Walk: €13.50 per adult, children 6 and under free
Admission Adventure Forest: €22 for a family of four, kids ages 4 & 2
Though we have yet to explore all of what the Black Forest has to offer, these have been our favorite experiences so far. We are looking forward to two more years of family adventures in Germany!
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