Visit The Black Forest, Baden-Württemberg

If history enthusiasts choose The Brandenburg Gate to be among the best places to visit in Germany, then nature lovers would choose The Black Forest to be in the same spot. The Black Forest is a large forested mountain range in the state of Baden-Württemberg in southwest Germany, bounded by the Rhine Valley to the west and south and close to the borders with France and Switzerland. Historically, The Black Forest was known for forestry and the mining of ore deposits, with several ruined military fortifications dating back to the 17th century.

Today, The beautiful Black Forest with its dark, densely-wooded hills is one of the most visited upland regions in all of Europe. It's a hiker's paradise, stretching 160 kilometers from Pforzheim in the north to Waldshut on the High Rhine in the south of Germany. The Black Forest slopes more gently to the upper Neckar and Danube valleys on the east side while descending steeply to the Rhine on the west. Popular locations include the charming resort of Bad Liebenzell, the excellent spa facilities of Baden-Baden, and the oldest ski area in Germany, Todtnau. The magnificent Black Forest Railway is one of the other highlights. It is headquartered on Triberg, which is home to the Black Forest Open Air Museum and the famous falls.