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.
Sustainability from the start: short driving distances, lots of walking and public transportation, local cuisine, and—where possible—reusable and locally sourced items.
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
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
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
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
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
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
Sustainable & practical
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
Leave No Trace
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.
Met een passie voor reizen en fotografie én meer dan 30 jaar ervaring in de reisbranche, deel ik graag mijn bijzondere natuur-reistips. Reizen is heerlijk en belangrijk, je ontmoet nieuwe mensen en culturen en het opent je blik op de wereld.
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Laat je inspireren
Ben je op zoek naar de mooiste wandel- en fietsroutes? Of wil je informatie over reizen met de trein of advies voor de mooiste roadtrips door de natuur. Laat je inspireren voor je volgende reis in het groen; ideeën om je eigen reis te plannen of te kiezen voor een georganiseerde reis.
