The green & blue of Black Forest

Anand and Madhura Katti 

The Black Forest in Germany is as alluring as memories of the delicious cream and cherry-filled cake on those special occasions. A range of low mountains with thick spread of dark green pine trees on the forest highlands cast a continuous dark shadow, giving it its name. Tucked within the Black Forest is Titisee, the lake with crystal clear water. The high altitude lake is formed from the water flowing down from the Feldberg glacier. According to a belief, the opulence and eventual waste created by people once angered the gods so much that it made them sink the town and Titisee appeared above the sunken city. A ride on an eco-friendly electric boat, which carries more than 100 persons, or on a small donut or peddle boat is a fun way to immerse yourself in nature. You can buy a bollenhut, the hat comprising 14 woollen pom-poms that’s typically Black Forest folk costume. Traditionally, the hat decorated with red pom-poms is worn by spinsters while the one with black pom-poms is flaunted by married women.

Take a ride on the mountain gondola to the Feldberg tower or simply view the unique Alpine panorama over Black Forest Highlands from the highest peak (1448 m). The place doubles up as a ski drop-off point during winters. The Feldberg rise experience is one of 70 plus activities that are offered complimentary by the Black Forest Tourism through a Red Pass that comes free if a visitor is staying for two nights in the area. 

Among popular attractions here is the historic Hofgut Sternen hotel at the Hells valley in the Black Forest village. The hotel is known for making cuckoo clocks, has glass-blowing workshops and hands-on experience of decorating a Black Forest cake. The tourist complex situated close to the highway is set in the Ravenna valley with a high stone arch rail bridge as a backdrop. A red train passing through the green ravine every 15 minutes is a delight. The 600-year-old place displays a painting of Princess Mary Antoinette’s marriage entourage, as a memory of playing host to it. One can experience the whole continent at Europa Park amusement park. Each section represents a different country through its architecture, lifestyle and cuisine. The park keeps adding roller coasters, the latest addition being the Voletarium. You can fly to 14 picturesque locations from across Europe from your special seat at Voletarium through a visually advanced technique.

Also visit the majestic Hohenzollern Castle located on top of Mount Hohenzollern at an elevation of 855 m in the Swabian Alb. The Hohenzollern Castle was the ancestral seat of the Prussian Kings and German Emperors as well as the Swabian branch of the Princes of Hohenzollern. A climb up the 200-odd spiraling stairs offers a panorama of the picturesque landscape of the Swabian albs and the Black Forest.