Explore the Black Forest and other natural sights

You chose Baden-Württemberg for its excellent study and research opportunities, but the natural environment outside the lecture halls and labs will delight you, too. Lake Constance, the Swabian Alb and the Black Forest are internationally known as great travel destinations.

Baden-Württemberg will charm you with its hills and mountains, unique moorlands, serene lakes and stunning waterfalls. You’ll also find thermal and mineral springs, creeks, rivers and gorges in many areas.

Baden-Württemberg has several major nature reserves: Seven nature parks, two biosphere reserves and one national park. Many additional nature and landscape conservation areas from the Northern Black Forest to areas around Freiburg and Tübingen offer beautiful trails and vistas.

Explore hidden valleys and hike through vineyards and along lively creeks. Your trail may also lead you to picturesque villages with the typical timber-framed houses or to magical stalactite caves in the Swabian Alb, which has been recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark. Freshwater lakes such as the Schluchsee or the Katzenbachsee invite you to a refreshing swim. The Allgäu, a region in Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria and Austria, with its beautiful mountain range is also worth a visit.

One must-see is the highest peak in the Black Forest, the Feldberg, with a height of 1493 meters. The funicular takes you to the top. The panoramic view of the Black Forest is stunning. On clear days, you can even see the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest peak in the Alps.

During the warmer months, the Feldberg is a great hiking destination. During winter, it offers 38 ski lifts and 63 km of slopes for all levels.

No matter where your path leads you, the varied landscape offers countless opportunities for hiking, biking, swimming, boat tours, climbing and many other outdoor activities. Not surprisingly, Baden-Württemberg is one of the most popular travel destinations in Germany. Famous castles and fortresses in historical cities such as Heidelberg, Tübingen and Freiburg invite you to explore and discover the intersection between the natural landscape and civilization.

If you are a fan of natural history and biology, don’t miss the State Museum of Natural History in Stuttgart and the House of Nature at Feldberg/Black Forest. You’ll learn interesting facts about the biodiversity in Germany, about dinosaurs that roamed the area and about many intriguing aspects of the natural world. With more than 12 million exhibits, the Museum of Natural History in Stuttgart is one of the largest natural history museums in Germany.

Lake Constance is the third largest freshwater lake in Europe. It connects Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The German states of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria share the shoreline of Lake Constance on the German side. With a length of 63 km and a maximum width of 14 km, Lake Constance is ideal for sailing, fishing and other recreational water sports. You can also take one of the ferries or tourist boats to experience the lake from the water. Many hiking and biking trails line the lake and lead through historic towns and villages.

If you are looking for wellness and recreation, you’ve come to the right place. Baden-Württemberg is the home to 56 spas and health resorts, making it number one when in comes to wellness in Germany. Many Black Forest spas feature thermal baths and relaxing health treatments. Health tourism is especially important for the economy of the Black Forest region.