Working out how to visit the Black Forest from Stuttgart was one of my main priorities when visiting the city. It’s one of the most incredible landmarks in Germany, steeped in mystery and fairy tales, who wouldn’t want to visit? The only challenge? The Black Forest is massive, and planning a day trip can feel overwhelming. That was until I found a little town called Bad Wildbad. Here’s my guide on how to visit this magical part of the Forest!
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I absolutely loved visiting Bad Wildbad. It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen and definitely fits the bill of a storybook town. There’s so much to see and do here, for me, this was the perfect way to visit the Black Forest from Stuttgart. I can’t recommend visiting enough!
How to visit the Black Forest from Stuttgart: An epic day trip to Bad Wildbad
All about Bad Wildbad
Originally known as “Wildbad,” the town gained the prefix “Bad” (the German word for “bath”) due to its reputation as a spa town. Sat in a gorge surrounded by the Black Forest, Bad Wildbad sits along the Enz River, offering incredible views in every direction.
If you’re looking for a spa retreat, Bad Wildbad is the perfect destination, famous for its two renowned thermal spas. But if adventure is more your style, head up Sommerberg mountain, where you can explore the Black Forest in an exciting treetop adventure!
How to get there
Whenever I was looking at how to visit the Black Forest from Stuttgart a lot of places were quite far away, luckily that isn’t the case for Bad Wildbad! I went via train and it was incredibly easy to get to – plus the journey through the forest is beautiful!
By train
If you’re travelling by train the total journey time is around 1 hour 15 minutes depending on your connections. It couldn’t be easier, you only have to take the following two trains:
- Stuttgart to Pforzheim Hauptbahnhof – There are a few different services that run this route
- Pforzheim Hauptbahnhof to Bad Wildbad – This is the S6 train, it runs twice an hour
Bad Wildbad is pretty much laid out in a straight line with the train route running through it. When arriving I recommend getting off at the Bad Wildbad Bahnhof, this allows you to walk along the river and see most of the town. When you’re leaving get back on at the Bad Wildbad Kurpark station at the opposite end of town, this way you won’t have missed anything out!
Above is a picture of the train stations, it’s only around a 10-minute walk between Bad Wildbad Bahnhof and Bad Wildbad Kurpark. There isn’t a lot going on at Bad Wildbad Nord, so head straight to Bad Wildbad Bahnhof.
By car
The drive from Stuttgart to Bad Wildbad is just over an hour. There are a a few different places to park in town, here are the most central:
- P1 Parkhaus Stadtmitte
- Parkplätze Zentrum Bad Wildbad
- P3 Palais Thermal / Quellenhof
What to do in Bad Wildbad
Sommerberg
Sommerberg is an outdoor resort area on top of one of the mountains surrounding Bad Wildbad. It offers a wide range of activities and over 200km of hiking trails through the Black Forest, all with incredible views down into the town and beyond. If you’re visiting Bad Wildbad, a trip to Sommerberg is an absolute must! Here’s a taste of what you can expect to find there:
Sommerbergbahn – Funicular Railway
There are two ways to reach the summit of Sommerberg: either by walking or taking the Funicular Railway. The train covers 756 meters, climbing 324 meters in just over three minutes. The panoramic views from the carriage are great, especially if you manage to grab a front seat! However, the ride does get quite steep in some sections, so if you’re not a fan of heights, it might be best to avoid looking down the track!
Baumwipfelpfad -Treetop walk
If you want to see the Black Forest from a different angle you have to go on the tree-top walk. This 1,250-meter pathway winds through the forest, reaching heights of up to 20 meters, and even stretches out over the edge of the mountain. At the end of the walk, you’ll reach the Observation Tower, which is 40 meters high and stands over 800 meters above sea level. And for a fun way down, you can skip the walk and take the 55-meter-long slide back to the bottom!
WILDLINE Hängebrücke – WILDLINE Suspension Bridge
Unfortunately, I can’t give you a first-hand experience of the WILDLINE suspension bridge as I don’t think my fear of heights would let me even step a toe on here. But I can tell you about it! 380 meters long and sitting nearly 60 meters above the treetops, this bridge is not for the faint-hearted. However, if you’re brave enough to cross, you’ll be rewarded with unparalleled views of the Black Forest and the valley below.
Märchenweg – Fairytale trail
If you’re looking for something a little more relaxing, let the Fairytale Trail guide you on a walk through the forest. This 3.2-kilometre circular route is dotted with 10 information boards that tell the tale of The Cold Heart. While the boards are in German, there’s an app available that provides the story in both English and French
Thermal spas
Bad Wildbad is a spa town, so if you’re not a thrill seeker who’s desperate to head up the mountains, don’t worry! The town has two main spas: Palais Thermal and Vital Therme, each offering unique experiences and treatments. A visit to these thermal baths can make for the ideal weekend getaway if you’re exploring the Black Forest from Stuttgart!
Kurpark – Spa Park
Kurpark is a scenic park located at the end of the railway line. With around 15 kilometres of trails winding along streams, through the forest, and leading to several exciting spots, it’s the perfect place for a walk. A few highlights include the English Church, Rose Garden and Swan Lake. This park really is beautiful and I can’t recommend factoring in some time to give it a good explore enough!
Summary
I absolutely loved visiting Bad Wildbad, for me, this was the perfect day trip to the Black Forest from Stuttgart. I can’t tell you how beautiful this place is, someone actually asked me if I was lost because I was just stood staring at the town when I was in Kurpark.. It’s super easy to get to and has some really unique activities to have a go at, what’s not to love?
