Black forest vs Lauterbrunnen

No, not comparable at all. By far less dramatic, no glaciers. Did you check a map? Pictures online? Black Forest reaches a max. elevation of 1493 m - the Lauterbrunnen area has peaks higher than 4000 m.

you don't get the vistas that you have in the Berner Oberland, no mountains, and you have loads of trees all around - all the trees can make it a little shady, hence the name of Black Forest. Some gorgeous high walks in the hills.

When you get to the lookouts - often a climbing tower - the vistas are impressive. There are plenty of nice small towns in and near the Black Forest - for example, Gengenbach.

The two places are very different.

Once you’ve been to the Lauterbrunnen Valley, it really is hard not to compare all other places to it. I have the same problem. The only other place so far for me that has matched in natural beauty is Iceland.

The Black Forest is a nice area, but if you’re expecting the Lauterbrunnen Valley, you will be disappointed. If you go with the expectation that is a different, new area to explore, than you can enjoy it.

As Carrie said, the hikes and scenery will be different. AND it will be a different experience. AND it is a very DIVERSE area with a variety of landscapes compared with Lauterbrunnen, as it's spread out over some 2,000 square miles! It's a place to visit for more than just the natural scenery as well. Trails often take you to castles and castle ruins, cozy settlements with thatched roofs, old walled towns, old water-driven sawmills... a Nazi-era work-camp memorial site...

"Our other option is to go back to Lauterbrunnen."

There's a surprising number of places to hike in Germany once you start looking around. If the Germans aren't biking, they're hiking, pretty much. Lots of pilgrimage trails there as well.

Both areas are great. If you haven't been to the Black Forest, do it.
Visit Triberg, Titisee, Baden-Baden and nearby Strasbourg, France.

Lots of interesting possibilities in the BF. One German Youtuber I follow once did a ‘Schnapps walk .’ where several farms along the route have little place ( basically a cabinet ) where you can pour yourself ( and pay for - honor system ) a shot !

Thank you all. That sets clear expectations.

We love both areas. Yes…nothing really compares to Swiss Alps…but enjoyed our time in BF! Trains take you to many lovely places. We stayed in Gengenbach and can recommend that as a base. Postcard perfect gingerbread village.

I haven't been to Lauterbrunnen, so I can't compare anything to that. However, I will say I really enjoyed visiting the Black Forest, and if you are looking for walking suggestions, we really enjoyed a circular walk around Feldberg, the highest peak in the Black Forest. You get a cable car up and walk from there, and there are several huts where you can stop for food/drinks. You can see some photos here: https://www.hochschwarzwald.de/en/attractions/feldberg-in-the-black-forest-812ec9c8a3

In terms of landscape, kind of like comparing the Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains with Yosemite.

The Black Forest maybe over hyped. There are nice areas. A car would be essential. You can shop for Cuckoo Clocks until you drop. Its more of a hiking paradise in the woods and fields. Some places in the south you can see the Alps in the distance. The Titisee, Triberg and Feldberg would be my focus. There are many waterfalls in the area too. You can still end up in the middle of nowhere. There are places like the Schwarzwälder Freilichtmuseum Vogtsbauernhof. Some like searching for gem stones from the tailings of mines. Maybe contact the tourist offices? Some nice all inclusive wellness hotels (Wellnesshotel Saigerhöh). The honey schnaps is good. Black forest vs Lauterbrunnen is apples and oranges. It's kind of far away from the rest of Germany.