Northern Black Forest

Travel Guide

Baden-Baden which includes a bridge
Caracalla Spa which includes heritage architecture and interior views
Baden-Baden showing a park
Baden-Baden which includes food
Baden-Baden showing hiking or walking

Stay in charming towns with luxurious spa facilities, enjoy scenic drives along forested mountains and see ancient monasteries in this beautiful German region.

The Northern Black Forest is a region and large mountain range in southwestern Germany. The region is known for its stunning evergreen forests, imposing mountains and winding scenic roads. Hike to a glacial lake or visit many historic villages for wellness spas and local markets.

The Black Forest inspired the famous Grimms' Fairy Tales by the Brothers Grimm. With dense native forests and endless moors, it is a place of enchanting natural beauty. Stop at a nature park for hiking, mountain biking, swimming, bird watching and more outdoor activities. The Northern Black Forest also features secluded 12th-century monastic ruins and numerous award-winning restaurants.

Allerheiligen Monastery is located in an isolated Black Forest valley. The ruins date to the 12th century and show signs of a 17th-century Baroque restoration. Admire the nearby Büttenstein Waterfall or watch an open-air theater performance at Allerheiligen Monastery during the summer. The monastery is an excellent place to stop and relax when hiking the surrounding forest areas.

Hornisgrinde is one of the highest mountains in the Northern Black Forest region. Take a long-distance footpath across the forest ridge to the summit plateau. The mountain features spectacular views of the surrounding moor landscape. It also has a 107-foot-tall (32.5-meter) observation tower, called Hornisgrinde Tower.

Mummelsee is a pretty lake on the southern mountainside of Hornisgrinde. The lake features exceptional views and a luxurious alpine-style hotel. Enjoy delicious cuisine at the hotel restaurant or take a paddleboat around the lake. Mummelsee is also near miles of hiking trails through picturesque forest areas.

The Northern Black Forest is located in the state of Baden-Württemberg in southwestern Germany. Take the Schwarzwald-Bäderstraße (Black Forest Spa Route) through scenic valleys to historic villages and resort towns. The Northern Black Forest also features peaceful spa towns, such as Bad Wildbad and Baden-BadenOpens in a new window. Alternatively, stay in Pforzheim, a large city at the Black Forest’s northern entrance.

Dine in a Michelin Star-decorated restaurant between exploring many vast natural areas in the Northern Black Forest.

Where to stay in Northern Black Forest

Trinkhalle featuring a park

Baden Baden Old Town

5/5(54 area reviews)

Baden Baden Old Town is known for its relaxing spas, and you can plan a trip to Friedrichsbad and Casino Baden-Baden while you're in town.

Baden Baden Old Town
Karlsruhe which includes art and interior views

Karlsruhe City Centre

4/5(28 area reviews)

The museums and gardens are just a few things visitors like about Karlsruhe City Centre. Marketplace Square and Karlsruhe Palace are worthwhile spots to check out, and you can hop on the metro at Ettlinger Tor U-Bahn or Ettlinger Tor Tram Stop to get around the larger area.

Karlsruhe City Centre
Gardens of Karlsruhe Palace, Germany
#GreatOutdoors

Innenstadt-West

Get to know Innenstadt-West and its many features like its museums and gardens. You might want to explore sights like Karlsruhe Palace and Prince Max Palace, and you can jump on the metro at Marktplatz (Kaiserstraße U) Tram Stop or Karlstor/Bundesgerichtshof Tram Stop to get around the city.

Innenstadt-West
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Geroldsau

While there might not be top attractions in Geroldsau, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Geroldsau Waterfall and Cistercienserinnen-Abtei Lichtenthal.

Geroldsau
Radisson Blu Hotel, Karlsruhe

Radisson Blu Hotel, Karlsruhe

4 out of 5
Am Hardtwald 10 Ettlingen BW
$80 nightly
The price is $86 total per night from Jan 11 to Jan 12
$86 total
Jan 11 - Jan 12, 2026
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Ettlingen. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (720 reviews)
👍

Reviewed on Sep 29, 2025

Radisson Blu Hotel, Karlsruhe
Parkhotel Pforzheim

Parkhotel Pforzheim

4.5 out of 5
Deimlingstrasse 32-36 Pforzheim BW
$86 nightly
The price is $92 total per night from Dec 28 to Dec 29
$92 total
Dec 28 - Dec 29
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Pforzheim. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Theatre Pforzheim and Pforzheim ...
9/10 Wonderful! (531 reviews)
Excellent hotel! It is clean, amazing atmosphere, the staff was genuinely interested in making our stay top notch. I give it a 5 star clean rating and really enjoyed the spa. We will definitely be back!

Reviewed on Oct 15, 2025

Parkhotel Pforzheim
Hotel Watthalden

Hotel Watthalden

Pforzheimer Strasse 67a Ettlingen BW
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
$78 nightly
The price is $84 total per night from Jan 3 to Jan 4
$84 total
Jan 3 - Jan 4, 2026
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this hotel in Ettlingen. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Buhlsche Mühle and Albgaubad Outdoor Pool ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (457 reviews)
All ok

Reviewed on Oct 29, 2025

Hotel Watthalden
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
ADORO Aparthotel

ADORO Aparthotel

Henri-Dunant-Platz 1a Bühl BW
Stay at this aparthotel in Bühl. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Windeck Castle and Old Wine Cellar are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (39 reviews)
All is good except the heavy duty winter duvets still in use. Too hot under, too cold without. Didn't sleep too well.

Reviewed on May 29, 2024

ADORO Aparthotel
Beautiful, cozy holiday apartment in the heart of the Black Forest

Beautiful, cozy holiday apartment in the heart of the Black Forest

Bad Peterstal-Griesbach BW
Stay at this apartment in Bad Peterstal-Griesbach. Enjoy free WiFi, cable/satellite TV service, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions West Trail and ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (67 reviews)
Great
Every thing was good at the house. It would have been great if heating would have been faster. We were feeling cold when we entered the house. Other than that every thing was really good.

Reviewed on Sep 27, 2024

Beautiful, cozy holiday apartment in the heart of the Black Forest
Boutique Charme Apartments 5

Boutique Charme Apartments 5

Büttenstraße 5 Baden-Baden
Stay at this apartment in Baden-Baden. Enjoy free WiFi. Popular attractions Caracalla Spa and Stiftskirche are located nearby.
9.2/10 Wonderful! (10 reviews)
This stylish and comfortable apartment was even nicer than the photos. We were very pleased with the location as it was close to so many shops, restaurants amd public transportation. Would stay here again.

Reviewed on Mar 7, 2025

Boutique Charme Apartments 5
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Cities near Northern Black Forest

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