Is Baden Baden the best base to explore the Black Forest? We're thinking of renting a car there and driving the area. Just want to do some small, not strenuous hikes. If we didn't rent a car, what town would be best to explore the Forest? Thank you
Posted by
Paradise
6621 posts
No, it's not.
You can do daytrips by train for free in the Black Forest if you stay in one of the participating KONUS towns.
The scenic Black Forest Railway is a special train ride, one of Germany's best; it cuts across the region between Offenburg and Donaueschingen (where the Danube River begins.) Gengenbach (old half-timbered walled town) is on the BF railway and a good base town for outings to towns and hiking options. Gutach's open-air museum - the Vogtsbauernhof - is nearby and a great experience.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32694 posts
Russ has the right answer - completely agree
Posted by
Greeley, co, usa
2394 posts
Gengenbach is a nice, convenient town if you are using the train. I’ll be going back there this summer. Take a look at www.schwarzwald-tourismus.info for good info is n the BF
Posted by
Noblesville, Indiana, USA
1360 posts
A couple of years ago we did the Short-N-Scenic Drive as mapped out in Rick Steves Germany guidebook from Staufen through Freiburg and on to the end. We enjoyed our time in both Staufen (small town) and Freiburg (city) but only made a few brief stops during the remainder of the drive. It was an all day trip with most of our time spent in the two above mentioned places. The RS guide describes the BF as "gently scenic" and mentioned the possibility of being underwhelming. We would agree although the Black Forest Cake at the Cafe Glotterstuble in Glottertal was yummy.