Black Forest High Road
Germany, europe
60 km
1,164 m
easy
May to October
# The Schwarzwaldhochstrasse: Germany's Perfect Scenic Drive
Want to experience one of Germany's best-kept scenic secrets? The Schwarzwaldhochstrasse—or Black Forest High Road—is a glorious 60-kilometer ribbon of pavement that'll make you feel like you're floating along the spine of the northern Black Forest. Running from Baden-Baden to Freudenstadt, this route has been charming travelers since the 1930s when it officially became the B500 federal road.
As you climb between 800 and 1,164 meters, you'll be wrapped in dense coniferous forests, passing moody glacial lakes (called tarns) and stopping at viewpoints that honestly steal your breath. On clear days, your gaze stretches across the Rhine Valley all the way to the Vosges Mountains in France—it's the kind of view that makes you pull over repeatedly.
The drive hits some genuine highlights too. There's the Mummelsee, a dark, mysterious glacial lake loaded with local legend, and the Hornisgrinde, the region's highest peak at 1,164 meters. What's great about this road is how accessible it is—the gradients are surprisingly gentle and the road is plenty wide, so whether you're driving a sedan or towing a caravan, you'll be fine.
Beyond the drive itself, the whole area is brilliant for exploring. Hiking and cross-country skiing trails branch off through the forest, and charming traditional Black Forest guesthouses dot the route serving up regional specialties and, yes, the famous Black Forest cake that actually tastes incredible when you've earned it with a day of driving and hiking.
Where is it?
Black Forest High Road is located in Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany (europe). Coordinates: 48.6082, 8.2318
Driving Tips
# Road Travel Tips
This road stays open all year long, but heads up – you'll want to watch out for fog, especially when autumn rolls around. It's pretty common in that season, so just keep your speed down and visibility in mind when you're driving through.
There's a really nice spot called the Mummelsee where you can pull over and stretch your legs with a walk around the lake. It's worth the quick stop if you've got time!
One more thing – they take speeding seriously on this route, so stick to the posted limits. It's not worth the ticket, and honestly, the speeds are set for good reasons given the road conditions.
Road Surface
Paved asphalt
Road Details
- Country
- Germany
- Continent
- europe
- Region
- Baden-Wurttemberg
- Length
- 60 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,164 m
- Difficulty
- easy
- Surface
- Paved asphalt
- Best Season
- May to October
- Coordinates
- 48.6082, 8.2318
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