Road Trip from the Black Forest to Burgundy: 7 Days of Slow Travel Filled with Nature, Culture, and Flavors

We wanted a short, sustainable road trip not too far from home. In about a five-hour drive from the Dutch border, you’ll find yourself in the dark forests of the Hochschwarzwald; three hours further on, you’ll roll into the rolling vineyards of Burgundy. Here’s our 7-day itinerary featuring lovely hikes, culture, great food, and practical (green) tips.

Route at a Glance

• Day 1: Upper Black Forest: Arrival & Rest at Hotel Die Halde
• Day 2: Schauinsland Panorama Tour: 10 km scenic hike
• Day 3 St. Blasien & Schluchsee: Cathedral & Refreshing Dip
• Day 4 Schauinslandbahn: hike down to the valley + cable car back
• Day 5: To Burgundy: via Gevrey-Chambertin (about a 3-hour drive)
• Day 6: Dijon by Train: The Owl Trail & Colorful Roofs
• Day 7 Combe Lavaux: 7–8 km cliff and forest hike with viewpoints

Sustainability from the start: short driving distances, lots of walking and public transportation, local cuisine, and—where possible—reusable and locally sourced items.

Day 1: Arrival & Resting in the Hochschwarzwald

We spent our first day relaxing and enjoying the view of the forests in the surrounding valleys. And we had a delicious meal.

Accommodations: Hotel Die Halde. Perched high on the ridge with panoramic views of the valleys. It’s wonderful to unwind after the ride in the spa or with a good dinner.

A nice touch: the hotel generates its own electricity and heat using a combined heat and power (CHP) system and draws drinking water from the spring on the Haldeköpfle.

Practical Tips

• Check in before sunset to catch that golden-hour view.
• Bring a reusable bottle; tap water is great.

Day 2: Schauinsland Panorama Tour (±10 km)

From an altitude of about 1,000 m, on a clear day you can even see as far as the Feldberg. We chose a different high peak: Schauinsland. The Schauinsland Panorama Trail isn’t a flat stroll, but it’s manageable because the trails are wide and easy to walk on. There are benches all along the way where you can sit and take in the views and spot red kites. Halfway through, in Hofsgrund, there’s a coffee stop (given the warm weather, we opted for the homemade rhubarb lemonade).

Stopover: Gasthof zum Hof for coffee or cake.

Trail Facts

• Distance: ~10 km | Duration: 3–4 hours | Type: loop, hilly
• Footwear: waterproof hiking boots; hiking poles are helpful for descents.

Day 3: St. Blasien & Swimming at Schluchsee

You won’t want to miss St. Blasien —and you certainly can’t: the historic cathedral towers over the village. It’s especially impressive amid all that greenery. A must-try for a sweet treat: a cappuccino at Rosalie im süßen Winkel, a small café along the Alb River.

An afternoon at Schluchsee: spread out a towel, go for a swim, or try SUP. We opted for a refreshing dip.

Practical Information

• Park early when the weather is warm; the lake is popular.
• Please respect swimming areas and boat traffic.

Day 4: Valley Hike & Ride Up on the Schauinslandbahn

We set out on foot from the hotel, walking through open meadows (full of large grazers!) with a view of the Münstertal, then head into the forest. You descend steadily for hours toward the Schauinslandbahn valley station. There are several routes down to the valley; we chose the one on the left side of the little river, a hike that takes a few hours. It’s perfect for taking the cable car back up afterward.

Tips

• With the Black Forest Card you can often get a discount on the ski lift.
• Check the bus schedule in advance if you want to connect to public transportation.
• Long descents are hard on the knees: poles and good traction help.

Day 5: To Burgundy: Gevrey-Chambertin (about 3 hours)

After a few wonderful days in the Black Forest, we continue on to France. A leisurely drive of about 3 hours takes you to Gevrey-Chambertin, just south of Dijon on the Route des Grands Crus. Sun-drenched vineyards and sunflower fields dominate the landscape here; in the village, you’ll immediately sense the Burgundian atmosphere.

Sleep & Food

• Choose a small-scale, intimate place to stay among the vineyards. We stayed at Les Deux Chèvres.
• Pick up some bread, cheese, and fruit at local shops for your picnic.

Day 6: Dijon by train (about 10 minutes)

Leave the car behind: in just 10 minutes, you can take the train from Gevrey to the heart of Dijon (note: there’s also a longer, more circuitous route). No parking hassles and free parking at the station in Gevrey.

Things to Do in Dijon

• Owl Trail (Parcours de la Chouette): perfect for a day trip—follow the bronze owls embedded in the sidewalk past half-timbered houses, churches, and multicolored rooftops.
• Lunch tip: Try the vegan Turnip for a light, healthy meal.
• Dessert: gelato art at Amorino.

Sustainable & practical

• Buy your round-trip ticket on the app or at the ticket machine, and travel during off-peak hours.
• Fill your water bottle at the drinking fountains; bring your own utensils.

Day 7: Hiking in the Combe Lavaux Nature Reserve – Jean Roland (7–8 km)

This hike takes you past several viewpoints overlooking the valley. We’ll walk clockwise: first, through the cool forest with a view of the limestone cliffs across the way. After crossing the road, you’ll climb up and walk back along the top of the rocks. The hike ends with a very steep descent. Take it easy and watch your step.

Trail Facts

• Distance: 7–8 km | Duration: 3–4 hours
• Elevation profile: undulating, with a steep descent at the end
• Start: Parking lot on the D31 toward Chamboeuf, about 1 km from Gevrey (on the left).

Leave No Trace

• Stay on the trails, no grape-picking 😉, and take your trash with you when you leave.

Practical Tips for a Road Trip from the Black Forest to Burgundy

Best Time to Visit & Weather

• Spring through fall is ideal: fresh greenery in May and June, warm days by the lake in July and August, fall colors, and the grape harvest in September and October.
• The weather can change quickly in the mountains: always bring layers, a rain jacket, and sunscreen.

Transportation & Sustainability

• Travel short & smart: we kept our legs short and did a lot of exploring on foot or by train/cable car once we arrived.
• Public transportation discounts: Many accommodations offer guest cards with discounts or public transportation benefits; ask about them when you check in.
• Electric car: Plan your charging stops in mountainous areas before your battery reaches 20% remaining capacity; charging stations are often located near ski lifts and supermarkets.
• Water & food: reusable bottle, lunchbox, and cutlery set; refill and buy local and seasonal items.

Packing List (Compact)

• Hiking shoes (broken in) + lightweight sandals
• Hiking poles (especially for days 4 and 7), rain jacket, warm layer
• Swim gear for Schluchsee
• Sunscreen, cap, mosquito repellent
• Reusable bottle (±1–1.5 L) and snack box
• Basic First Aid + Blister Patches
• Offline maps (e.g., GPX/map on a phone)

Food & Drink (Our Favorites)

• Upper Black Forest: cake & lemonade in Hofsgrund, dinner at Die Halde.
• Dijon: lunch at Turnip, followed by Amorino ice cream.
• Burgundy: a picnic with local cheeses, bread, and (non-alcoholic) grape juice—or, for those who’d like, a glass of Pinot Noir with dinner.

Choose small producers and ask for organic options. Read all our tips for traveling in Germany here, and learn more about our tips for traveling to France here.

Black Forest–Burgundy Road Trip on the Map