Year: 2020

Taking the train is the best way to get to, and explore, the Black Forest.

The Black Forest, or Schwarzwald, in southwest Germany’s Baden-Württemberg state, is one of Germany’s finest locations for walkers, skiers, cyclists and cake-eaters alike. Covering more than 6000km², the northern reaches of the Forest were given National Park status in 2014. The icing on the cake for train travellers is that it is very well connected by rail, its main gateway being the aptly named city of Freiburg. Because in the Black Forest, that is exactly what you will feel. Freedom.

Getting to the Black Forest by train
Given that the Black Forest is around 160km in length and 50km wide, there are plenty of places where you can access it by train. You can even reach the Black Forest in under 6 hours from London. As well as the main gateway city of Freiburg, stations within the bounds of the Forest area include Karlsruhe, Baden-Baden, and Offenburg.

The Black Forest - home of hiking
Hiking maps and guidebooks have been promoting the area for well over 150 years. Indeed, Philipp Bussemer opened up the first tourist information centre in Baden-Baden to serve this purpose in the 19th century. Within the Forest, you’ll find over 24,000km of hiking and cycling trails. The Black Forest’s Westweg is one of Germany’s most famous hiking routes, climbing from Lake Titisee to Feldberg Mountain.

Cycling trails in the Black Forest
The range of high-speed trains to Freiburg makes the city an excellent base to explore the Black Forest by bike. The Southern Black Forest Cycle Route is a 250km circular from Freiburg, following mainly flat terrain through ancient woodland and farmland. The river Danube’s source is in the Black Forest near Donaueschingen and you can pick up some of the world-famous Danube Cycling Trail between Donaueschingen and Ulm.

Cross country skiing in the Black Forest
Cross country skiing, or langlaufen, is at the core of Black Forest culture and, indeed, throughout the country. One of Germany’s most celebrated routes is the Black Forest High Road (Schwarzwaldhochstrasse) which runs over 60km from Freudenstadt to Baden-Baden. This route, as the name suggests, covers high-ground in the north section of the Forest and offers stunning views of the Black Forest valleys, Rhine Valley and Vosges Mountains.

Black Forest spa towns
The Black Forest’s Spa towns’ curative waters, restorative treatments and thermal baths have been fashionable places to visit since the 1800s. Any town with the word ‘bad’ refers to there being a bath or mineral spa tradition. Baden-Baden is its most celebrated spa town, but the best way to explore them is on the Black Forest Spa Route, a 270 km stretch between Pforzheim and Freudenstadt, taking in spa greats of Bad Herrenalb, Bad Rippoldsau, Bad Wildbad and Baden-Baden of course.

Kilauea Lighthouse
The view alone is worth the drive to Kilauea on the island’s northernmost tip, upon which is perched the historic Kilauea Lighthouse. Built in 1913, this lighthouse has guided ships and boats safely along Kauai’s coastline for 62 years. (It was turned off in the 1970s.) Today, it attracts more than 500,000 visitors a year, lured by the breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and one of the largest populations of nesting seabirds in the main Hawaiian Islands.

Mountain Tubing
The sugar plantations play an important part in Hawaii’s history, and this unique inner tube tour takes you through the historic irrigation system of the former Lihue Plantation. This water system runs through some of the most beautiful and remote parts of Kauai and provides views of the ocean, coastline, mountains and valleys. The water flow originates near the top of Mount Waialeale, the wettest spot in the world, and is channeled through ditches and tunnels.

Hoopii Falls
Visit one, two or all three waterfalls during this idyllic hike along Kapaa Stream.Enter at the almost-hidden yellow gate tucked alongside a residential neighborhood and follow the trail through the lovely river valley until you reach the clearing and the stream, then turn right. At this point, it’s easiest to walk the dirt path as it winds high above the river, then when you hear the roar of the waterfalls – in only 15 to 20 minutes.

Kauai Hiking Tours
The Food & Foraging Tour not only is fun, interesting and exciting, it’s practical. You’ll learn skills that will help you survive if you ever find yourself lost in a forest. You’ll hunt for edibles in wilderness regions of Kauai, collect them and prepare them. You’ll weave cordage from vines, build shelters from branches and leaves and make fire by rubbing dried branches together (it works!).