Black Forest High Road

Route description

Baden-Baden is a spa town with thermal baths and a grand Kurhaus. From here the B500, the Black Forest High Road, climbs south along the ridge of the northern Black Forest, with views over the Rhine valley.

The Mummelsee is a dark lake in the pines right beside the road, with pedal boats and a legend of water nymphs. The route continues south through Freudenstadt, with its huge market square, to Triberg, where the Triberg waterfalls tumble through the forest.

Triberg is also known for cuckoo clocks, and one of the two rival “world’s largest” cuckoo clocks is here; the bird comes out on the half hour. From Triberg, the B500 continues south to Titisee, a lake with boats, shops and walks, and the route ends in Freiburg, with its red sandstone minster and the small water channels, the Bächle, running through the streets.

The B500 is popular with motorcyclists at weekends, and in winter snow can close the higher sections. The Titisee lakeside and the Triberg waterfalls get very busy in summer, so arrive early.