The Nationalpark Schwarzwald was founded on 1 January 2014 as Baden-Württemberg’s first national park. It covers around 10,000 hectares in two sections along the Black Forest High Road — a northern part around the Hoher Ochsenkopf and Plättig, and a southern part around Ruhestein and the Schliffkopf, just south of the Mummelsee.
The idea is simple and radical: across most of the park, nature is left to take its own course. Storm-felled trees stay where they fall, bark beetles are allowed to work, and a new, wilder forest grows up among the old spruce and fir. It is home to capercaillie, deer and, increasingly, the returning lynx.
Top things to do at Black Forest National Park
Visit the national park centre at Ruhestein
The modern visitor centre on the High Road at Ruhestein has an interactive exhibition about the park’s forest, animals and weather, plus a treetop walkway. It is the best first stop, and rangers run guided walks from here.
Look down on the Wildsee
From Ruhestein a trail leads to the Wildsee, another dark cirque lake surrounded by a forest that has been protected from logging for over a century. The viewpoint above the lake is one of the park’s signature sights.
Walk the Lotharpfad
Near the Schliffkopf, this short adventure trail crosses an area flattened by Hurricane Lothar in December 1999. Stairs, walkways and fallen trunks show how quickly a forest renews itself when left alone.
How to get to Black Forest National Park
- From the Mummelsee: Ruhestein is about 8 km south along the B500 — a 10-minute drive or a few stops by bus.
- From Baden-Baden or Freudenstadt: follow the B500; the northern section starts near Plättig and the southern section around Ruhestein.
- Guided: join a ranger walk from the visitor centre, or a guided Black Forest hike.
Insider tips
- Entry to the national park is free; the visitor centre exhibition may charge — check current prices before you go.
- Stay on marked trails, especially in the core zones where fallen trees are left in place.
- Early morning and evening are the best times to see wildlife — and the quietest times on the trails.
Best tours & tickets for Black Forest National Park
These top-rated experiences are the easiest way to see Black Forest National Park and the rest of the Black Forest:
Guided hike from US$17 Baden-Baden: Guided Hike with a Black Forest Guide
A half-day walk into the hills of Baden-Baden with a certified Schwarzwald-Guide who knows the plants, the history and the viewpoints. The tour is run in German, so it suits German speakers best.
- Forest trails in the hills around Baden-Baden
- A certified Black Forest guide
- Small group, budget price
Winter hike from US$216 From Heidelberg or Baden-Baden: Snowshoe Hike in the Black Forest
In a good winter the ridge along the High Road lies under deep snow, and snowshoes are the best way into it. This guided small-group day takes care of the route and the logistics; you bring warm layers. Availability depends on the snow, so check dates early.
- Snowshoe hiking in the high Black Forest
- Pickup available from Heidelberg or Baden-Baden
- Small group, winter season only
Private tour from US$888 per group The Best in Baden-Baden and Blackforest
A private, flexible day for up to six people starting in the spa town itself. The guide shapes the route around your interests — thermal baths, wine cellars, Black Forest food and the forest roads above Baden-Baden — which makes it the natural choice if you want someone else to handle the driving.
- Casino, Kurhaus and Lichtentaler Allee with a private guide
- Black Forest food and historic wineries
- Forest scenery tailored to your group
