Blalck Forest Itinerary Q

Hansbach? Are you sure you don't mean "Hausach", at the lower end of the Gutach river and the Schwarzwaldbahn?

Oops. Yes, Hausach. Thanks.

That trip could easily be made by rail. (I know, I've been over every inch of that route at one time or another.) Most of that trip is only accessible by regional trains. The part from Freiberg to Strasbourg could be made by express but there are also regional train. The entire trip for up to 5 people would cost €27, far less that a day of car rental (less than just fuel), with a Baden-Württemberg-Ticket. I believe that there is also a highway up the Gutach, parallel to the Schwarzwaldbahn, but it would be difficult to drive it while watching the scenery.

Thanks, Lee. I appreciate the advice about going by train. And I just found the website that describes the great ticket you mentioned. However, our friends want to drive. (They already have a car.) With that in mind, what do you think of the feasibility of my itinerary?

The train is the best, most enjoyable way to go overall and less expensive with the Baden-Württemberg ticket. However, your itinerary requires numerous time-consuming changes of train - and the roads will cover your route more directly. You could probably do the train for less than the gas alone would cost, but you will probably have more time in the towns you mention if you drive.

That said, you could do that entire BF itinerary for FREE on the train if you stayed in Gengenbach instead of Strasbourg. G'bach is part of the Konus network - you get a free rail/bus pass for the BF for all guests for the duration of your stay.

Feasible? I guess so. There must be roads between the towns. The only route I would have any concern is whether there is a good road between Hausach and Triberg, 'cause the Gutach valley there has to be the highlight of the trip. I know you can go by road from Hausach to Triberg, I just don't know if it is as scenic as the rail line, which is built into the side of the river valley.

I don't know why everyone thinks they have to drive over there. Everywhere I go in this country I have to drive. The great thing about going to Germany, the thing that make going there a real vacation, is freedom from driving.

Just make sure you make your friend drive, so you can enjoy watching the scenery. And, make sure he looks at the road (not the scenery).

Russ, according to Michelin, gas for that trip, in a compact car, which would really be too small for comfort on that long a trip, would be almost €40 compared to €27 for the B-W-Ticket.

Good information Lee and Russ. I do appreciate it. (40+ Euros for gas?-ouch!)

But when we're on a train, we can't stop at scenic overlooks and go for a short hike or take pictures. Also, when we're in each of the towns and cities, do we hire a cab? If not, it seems we'll have just enough time to walk several blocks around the train station before rushing back to wait for/catch the next train (at least 7 trains, I would think for this trip).

So, while the train is definitely more economical and certainly easier in terms of navigation, it has its disadvantages for a one-day trip...especially when our friends-based in Strassbourg- already have a car and want to drive.

So, what do you think about the itinerary itself? Anything you'd omit or add? (Also, would you know if the roads between these towns are good and relatively easy to navigate?

Again, thanks for the suggestions. :-)

"Russ, according to Michelin, gas for that trip, in a compact car, which would really be too small for comfort on that long a trip, would be almost €40 compared to €27 for the B-W-Ticket."

That does not surprise me at all.

"But when we're on a train, we can't stop at scenic overlooks and go for a short hike or take pictures. Also, when we're in each of the towns and cities, do we hire a cab? If not, it seems we'll have just enough time to walk several blocks around the train station before rushing back to wait for/catch the next train (at least 7 trains, I would think for this trip)."

D: I share Lee's opinion on the value of train travel over car travel in Germany. But since you've decided to squeeze too much into one day, I think it's probably wisest for you to use a car. I would never choose to do it like you're doing it. It sounds like a bus tour for Asian tourists. The train not only is more relaxing for all - it civilizes your itinerary so that you dedicate a little time to the places you stop at. Having traveled by car and by train through the region, I would definitely opt for the rails and plot my destinations accordingly. With your itin, you'll have to pass up a whole lot of interesting sights and experiences to cover that much ground. But it's your trip; you've decided that zooming through is a good way to see the BF, so I'm not going to tell you not to.