Black Forest Excursion Destinations: 12 Tips from Hotel Sonnenhof

The most beautiful Places of interest in the Black Forest are a maximum of one hour's drive away for guests of our Hotel Sonnenhof & Sonnhalde in Ühlingen-Birkendorf. From Lake Titisee and Lake Schluchsee to the Wutach Gorge: here are our ten favourite excursion destinations in the Black Forest, including travel times, tips and recommendations for various interests.

Black Forest attractions: The 12 most beautiful places around the hotel

Titisee – The classic in the Black Forest

Lake Titisee is one of the most famous lakes in the Black Forest and an absolute highlight for visitors to the region. Nestled in the gently rolling hills and surrounded by dense forests, Lake Titisee provides a dreamlike backdrop for relaxing walks and boat trips. There are numerous cafés and restaurants on the shores of the lake where you can enjoy regional specialities while gazing out over the glistening water.

Things to do at Lake Titisee

• Boat trips and sailing tours
• Hiking and cycling on the paths around the lake
• In summer, the Titisee invites you to swim

Schluchsee – pure nature and tranquillity

Schluchsee is the largest lake in the Black Forest and an ideal place for anyone who wants to experience pure peace and nature. This former glacial lake is particularly popular with water sports enthusiasts as it offers plenty of space for sailing, surfing and diving. Thanks to its secluded location and the surrounding forests, Schluchsee is also a retreat for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Recommended activities at Schluchsee

• Walks along the 18 kilometre long riverside path
• Picnic spots with wonderful views
• Fishing and birdwatching

Mummelsee – Mysticism and Tradition

Lake Mummelsee is a small, legendary lake on the Black Forest High Road and one of the most famous sights in the region. The lake lies at an altitude of over 1,000 metres and is surrounded by dense fir forests, which gives it a particularly mystical atmosphere. Lake Mummelsee is famous for its legends about mermaids and ghosts that are said to live in the water. A walk around the lake or a boat trip offer a special insight into this fairytale world.

Highlights at the Mummelsee

• Boat hire and circular trail around the lake
• Visit to the Mummelsee Hotel with café and souvenir shop
• Panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and forests

Old Rhine and Rhine meadows – Untouched river landscapes

In addition to the lakes, the river landscapes of the Rhine also offer a unique opportunity to enjoy nature. The Rhine floodplains and the Old Rhine loops are particularly impressive and are home to a rich variety of flora and fauna. On a canoe trip on the Old Rhine, you can experience this landscape up close and observe rare bird species. The Rhine floodplains are ideal for anyone who wants to get off the beaten track and enjoy the tranquillity of nature.

Activities along the Old Rhine

• Canoe trips and kayak tours through the floodplain landscapes
• Hikes on the unspoilt paths
• Birdwatching and photography

Kirnbergsee – The hidden gem for families

The Kirnbergsee is a smaller, lesser-known lake near Bräunlingen and is a real insider tip, especially for families. The calm waters and beautiful sunbathing lawn invite you to relax, and there is a separate swimming area for children. In summer, the Kirnbergsee with its clear water and clean beaches offers welcome refreshment, while the surrounding forests offer numerous hiking opportunities.

Special features of the Kirnbergsee:

• Family-friendly bathing area and barbecue areas
• Hiking trails through the neighbouring forests
• Peace and seclusion for undisturbed relaxation

Wutach Gorge - a special kind of river experience

The Wutach Gorge is not so much a lake as an impressive gorge with a wild and romantic river. Here, the Wutach carves its way through rugged rocks and dense forests, making the Wutach Gorge a paradise for hikers. The varied landscape and the wild beauty of the gorge offer a natural experience that is unrivalled in the region. The river and the surrounding vegetation create a refreshing microclimate that is particularly pleasant in summer.

Activities in the Wutach Gorge

• Hiking on the well signposted Wutachschlucht hiking trail
• Nature photography and observation of the diverse flora and fauna
• Picnic at designated spots along the river

Feldsee - A hidden gem in the Black Forest

The Feldsee is a remote mountain lake at the foot of the Feldberg and can only be reached on foot. This idyllic lake is surrounded by almost untouched nature and therefore seems to have fallen out of time. A hike to the Feldsee is particularly worthwhile, as the path leads through impressive Black Forest landscapes and once you reach the lake, there is absolute peace and quiet. The Feldsee is ideal for anyone looking for a short break from everyday life and to experience nature in its purest form.

Recommended activities at the Feldsee

• Hiking and enjoying nature
• Peace and meditation in nature
• Observing the flora and fauna around the lake

Conclusion

The lakes and rivers in the region around the Black Forest offer a multitude of opportunities to enjoy nature and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Whether on a canoe tour, a relaxing hike or a picnic on the banks - the Black Forest's water landscapes offer pure relaxation and nature experiences. Pack your hiking boots and discover the unrivalled beauty of the waters around the Hotel Sonnenhof-Sonnhalde.

Black Forest excursion destinations for every taste

Anyone in the Upper Black Forest region looking for Black Forest tourist attractions is looking for, finds everything from peaceful nature experiences to action-packed family destinations. From Wellness Hotel Sonnenhof & Sonnhalde most destinations are a 20 to 60 minute drive away. We recommend combining every stay with two to three different excursion destinations.

For families with children

• Schluhuwanapark Grafenhausen — Adventure park with high ropes course and animals
• Naturena Swimming Lake Birkendorf — Right on the doorstep, diving rocks and playground
• Marble Run Trail — Discovery trail in Ühlingen-Birkendorf
• Black Forest House of the Senses — Interactive museum for all ages

For active holidaymakers and hikers

• Wutach Gorge — Germany's largest gorge
• Todtnau Suspension Bridge — 450 metres above the valley
• Feldberg — Highest mountain in the Black Forest (1,493 m)
• Black Forest High Road — Scenic route at an altitude of 1,100 m

For connoisseurs and culture lovers

• Rothaus Brewery + Pleasure World — Germany's highest beer garden (1,000 m)
• Resenhof local history museum - 16th-century farmhouse
• District Museum St. Blasien — Regional history and abbey courtyard
• Winterhalter Museum Menzenschwand — 19th-century painter

Best time to visit for attractions in the Black Forest

Every season offers different excursion destinations in the Black Forest. In Spring meadows bloom and waterfalls carry meltwater, ideal for hikes in the Wutach and Lotenbach gorges. The Summer brings swimming weather to the Titisee, Schluchsee and Naturena. At Autumn the beech forest changes colour, perfect for photographers and mushroom hunters. In Winter the region is transforming into a ski resort with the Feldberg as its main attraction.

Directions and daily schedule

From Sonnenhof & Sonnhalde, the main excursion destinations in the Black Forest can be reached in 20 to 60 minutes by car. Most of them have paid parking spaces (3–6 euros per day). With the Hochschwarzwald Card or KONUS guest card, many destinations are accessible free of charge or at a discount. More info on Hochschwarzwald Card or to the Black Forest Tourism Information.

At reception, we are happy to advise you on daily planning, current opening hours and suggested routes. Upon request, we can pack a lunchbox or make reservations at local inns. Bookings directly at the Hotel Sonnenhof & Sonnhalde save up to 35 percent compared to booking portals.

Frequently asked questions about places of interest in the Black Forest

Which Black Forest attractions are free?

The Wutach Gorge, Lotenbachklamm and the Kugelwaldpfad are accessible free of charge all year round. Only a small parking fee is due for Schluchsee and Titisee.

Which attractions are suitable for rainy weather?

When it rains, indoor destinations such as the Black Forest House of the Senses, the Resenhof local history museum, or a brewery tour at Rothaus are recommended. Our wellness area with its 450 m² pool and sauna landscape is also a perfect bad-weather alternative.

Which excursions are suitable for children under 6 years old?

Naturena Badesee, Kugelwaldpfad and the Schluhuwanapark are specifically tailored for younger children. For the Wutachschlucht or the Feldberg, children aged six and over or a child carrier backpack are recommended.

Black Forest excursions: What hotel guests value the most

If you regularly look for suitable Black Forest day trip destinations, you will appreciate above all the region's diversity. In just an hour's drive, you can reach one of Germany's most beautiful lakes, one of Europe's deepest gorges or one of the republic's highest-altitude beer gardens. This range of Black Forest excursion destinations is unique nationwide and makes the Upper Black Forest one of Germany's most popular holiday regions.

Our regular guests often return several times a year because they continually discover new excursion destinations in the Black Forest. In spring it is waterfalls and wild garlic meadows, in summer bathing lakes, in autumn mushroom foraging walks, and in winter ski and cross-country ski paradises. This seasonal variety of excursion destinations in the Black Forest makes the Sonnenhof & Sonnhalde the ideal base for repeat visitors.

Hidden gems away from the well-known tourist spots

Alongside the classic Black Forest destinations, there are many lesser-known places that we are happy to recommend to our hotel guests. The Tannenmühle near Grafenhausen is a historic mill museum with a brown trout hatchery. The Hüsli Museum in Grafenhausen was a filming location for the ARD series Schwarzwaldklinik. The Albert Schweitzer House in Königsfeld showcases the life and work of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

Also the Schluchsee, as the second-largest lake, offers less tourist hustle and bustle than the Titisee. Hiking on the Schluchsee circular trail takes about five hours and leads through quiet forest areas. Those looking for Black Forest excursion destinations featuring peace and nature will find their paradise here.

Discover all Black Forest excursion destinations with the guest card

Hotel guests receive the KONUS guest card at reception. With it, you can travel free of charge by bus and train throughout the entire Black Forest region. Many Black Forest excursion destinations, including the Feldberg, Schluchsee and Titisee, can thus be reached without a car. This protects the environment, your wallet and your nerves.

Black Forest attractions: Further tips from hotel guests

Regular guests often recommend Black Forest excursion destinations that rarely appear in travel guides. These include the Schlüchtsee near Grafenhausen (15 mins from the hotel), the Resenhof local history museum in Bernau (60 mins), and the Black Forest House of the Senses in Bad Rippoldsau (90 mins). These Black Forest excursion destinations are lesser-known insider tips, often quieter than the famous sights.

Black Forest destinations by season

Seasonal destinations in the Black Forest vary greatly: in spring, waterfalls and gorges beckon; in summer, mountain lakes and high-altitude hikes; in autumn, mushroom-hunting walks and beech forests; in winter, ski resorts at the Feldberg and Christmas markets. The choice of Black Forest destinations depends on the weather and personal preferences.