After visiting the beautiful Colmar, we headed towards the German border. Our destination was the Black Forest and the picturesque tourist town of Triberg im Schwarzwald, a perfect introduction to our exploration of Germany.
A typical village in the heart of the Black Forest
Just the name “Black Forest” evokes dreams of vast, dense forests, and that’s exactly what you’ll find here. The landscapes are stunning with thick, deep green coniferous forests, meadows, and flowing streams.
The Black Forest invites you to contemplate and hike. Stretching 160km from Baden-Baden to the Swiss border, you’ll traverse through valleys, lakes, hills, waterfalls… the scenery is breathtaking.
Located in the heart of the Black Forest, this small mountain town is a former clockmaking center. The town is famous for its cuckoo clocks and also boasts Germany’s highest waterfall.
Being a highly touristy town, life revolves around the main street where you can wander from restaurants to cuckoo clock shops. However, the town is also renowned for its famous cake: the Black Forest gateau! It’s said to have been invented here, although we couldn’t verify that ourselves!
The town of a thousand cuckoo clocks
Curiously, we chose this first stop in Germany for its forest hikes, waterfall, and of course, the cuckoo clocks! When you think of Germany, certain stereotypes come to mind, and for us, cuckoo clocks were one of them!
All along the main street, you’ll discover numerous cuckoo clock shops, varying in their origins from more or less authentically German-made…
The most famous shop is the House of a Thousand Clocks. The storefront alone is worth a visit with its giant cuckoo clock in constant animation. Upon entering, you’re greeted by saleswomen in Bavarian attire, immersing you immediately in the ambiance. The shop is a true treasure trove and lives up to its name of a thousand clocks.
You’ll find clocks at nearly every price point, but for a genuine German-made cuckoo clock (not from China), expect to pay a minimum of 200 euros for a small model! We passed on making a purchase due to the price, but we enjoyed observing all the intricate details of these beautiful clocks and hearing the cuckoos sing. It’s kitschy but incredibly charming!
Things to do in Triberg im Schwarzwald
Although small, the town offers plenty of activities for both children and adults:
- Explore cuckoo clocks at the House of 1000 Clocks. Visit this shop and perhaps indulge in a cuckoo clock purchase.
- Visit Germany’s highest waterfall. Witness the seven cascades of Triberg Waterfalls plunging 163 meters, illuminated every evening. There’s an entrance fee of approximately 8 euros per person, conveniently located in the center of Triberg. The pathway to the falls is stroller and wheelchair accessible. Once at the top, continue your hike through the forest. The waterfall is quite popular; it’s best to visit on weekdays or early mornings. The walk is enjoyable, though the climb to the top can be a bit steep.
- Schwarzwaldmuseum (Black Forest Museum). This museum is a maze of discovery, showcasing traditional life in the Black Forest. While everything is in German, it spans multiple floors depicting clockmaking, regional costumes, mining life, and automatons. Entire rooms feature mannequins portraying old trades—a delightful museum to visit with children. Admission is free if you’ve already visited the waterfalls; remember to keep your ticket.
- Triberg-land. A fantastic model railway museum that will delight both kids and adults. Again, entry is free with your waterfall ticket.
- Triberg-Fantasy. An attraction for Instagrammers! Explore various themed sets perfect for Instagram photos. Entry is free with your waterfall ticket, though it may not appeal much beyond photo opportunities.
Where to Stay in Triberg im Schwarzwald?
As Triberg im Schwarzwald is highly touristy, you’ll find numerous hotels and youth hostels in the area. You can make your reservations or explore options here.
For those traveling by camper van, the town offers a designated area, although it can be a bit small. It’s advisable to arrive early to secure a spot! The camper van area provides all necessary services including sanitary facilities, with a fee of approximately 15 euros for 24 hours.
Where to park in Triberg im Schwarzwald?
For cars, you’ll find numerous parking lots throughout the town and close to the waterfalls.
For camper vans, there are 3 daytime parking areas available, but they fill up quickly! Alternatively, you can do as we did and park directly along the main street; it’s not prohibited, and there are plenty of sufficiently large spots as you go down the street.
Our tips for visiting Triberg im Schwarzwald:
- Don’t miss trying the famous Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (Black Forest Cake), a delight for the eyes and taste buds! We enjoyed ours at the hotel restaurant Le Pfaff. It’s affordable and delicious.
- If you’re short on time, start your visit with the waterfalls, then visit the House of a Thousand Clocks, and finish with the Black Forest Museum.
- The town gets very crowded during the day for viewing the waterfalls. To enjoy them almost alone, visit in the evening after 6 PM when they are illuminated!
- For camper vans, since parking spaces are limited, arrive early in the morning to secure a spot.
