Scenic Road Trip
Black Forest High Road
Dark Forests, Cuckoo Clocks & Cake
The 60-km Black Forest High Road is Germany’s most charming shorter drive. No hairpins, no white-knuckle sections — just smooth tarmac through a forest so dark and dense that the Brothers Grimm set their fairy tales here. Stop for cake, walk to a lake, and breathe air that smells of pine and legend.
Quick Facts
| Route | Baden-Baden to Freudenstadt |
| Country | Germany |
| Distance | 60 km |
| Recommended days | 1 |
| Total drive time | ~2 hours |
| Best months | May–October |
| Toll cost | None |
| Est. fuel cost | ~EUR 8 |
| Motorway speed limit | 130 km/h |
| Alcohol limit (BAC) | 0.05 |
| Drives on | Right |
Top 5 Highlights
1. Mummelsee
A dark, legend-rich lake at 1,036 m — the Brothers Grimm wrote stories about it
2. Hornisgrinde
The highest peak of the Northern Black Forest (1,164 m) with a raised-bog boardwalk
3. Sand Waterfall
Baden-Baden’s local waterfall set in dense forest
4. Lotharpfad
A ‘storm path’ boardwalk through forest destroyed by the 1999 hurricane — a nature recovery lesson
5. Allerheiligen Waterfalls
A series of seven cascades in a steep gorge with monastery ruins at the top
Road Conditions & Terrain
Terrain: Mountain ridge road through dense coniferous forest with occasional clearings revealing sweeping valley views
Road type: Smooth two-lane B-road (B500) with gentle curves and frequent pull-off viewpoints
Best Time to Drive
Best months: May–October
Autumn foliage (October) is spectacular; winter brings snow and cross-country skiing along the route
Key Driving Rules
Germany has no motorway tolls for cars. The B500 speed limit is 100 km/h but frequently drops to 70 km/h through forested sections. Watch for deer crossing at dawn and dusk. Winter tyres required in icy/snowy conditions (situational mandate).
Speed Limits
| Road Type | Limit |
|---|---|
| Urban | 50 km/h |
| Rural/Open road | 100 km/h |
| Motorway | 130 km/h |
Required Equipment
- Warning triangle
- Reflective vest
- First aid kit
- Fire extinguisher
Estimated Costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Fuel (petrol, round trip) | ~EUR 8 |
| Tolls/vignette | None |
| Petrol price (per litre) | ~$1.95 USD |
| Diesel price (per litre) | ~$1.72 USD |
Practical Tips
- Start in Baden-Baden for a spa visit before or after the drive
- The Mummelsee car park has a hotel, restaurant, and easy lake loop — great for a break
- Try Schwarzwalder Kirschtorte (Black Forest cake) at any Gasthaus along the way — it’s the real deal here
- The Schwarzwald-Hochstrasse is gorgeous in fog too — the forest takes on a fairy-tale quality
- Extend to the B28 and B500 south for a longer loop through Triberg (Germany’s highest waterfall)
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Frequently Asked Questions
The Black Forest High Road covers 60 km and takes approximately 2 hours of pure driving time. We recommend 1 days to enjoy the highlights and stops along the way.
The best months are May–October. Autumn foliage (October) is spectacular; winter brings snow and cross-country skiing along the route
Germany drives on the right side of the road.
The blood alcohol limit in Germany is 0.05 BAC.
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