Nature Holidays in Baden-Württemberg

The video, which is around thirty seconds long, is accompanied by typical sounds from nature and presents the diverse recreational opportunities in Baden-Württemberg's natural surroundings. It is quickly edited and focuses on the facets of nature, sustainability and regionality.

Our look at the green side of Baden-Württemberg begins with a view from above of the dense fir trees of the Black Forest with birdsong and the sound of the wind. The intro says: Sustainable Holidays.

A moss-covered trunk appears in the picture before a ranger walks through an enchanted path through the forest. He looks through a telescope and observes a bird of prey in flight, screaming and flapping its wings.

We cross a bridge on the moving train, accompanied by the rattling of the tracks. Then it's quiet again and we look down on an idyllic village with old half-timbered houses.

We enter a marketplace where regional and seasonal produce such as smoked sausages, pumpkins, nuts, plums, carrots and apples are sold. We buy a bowl of pears.

In the kitchen, we process the produce with a large knife. The chopping of the knife on a wooden board takes us into the soundscape of the kitchen. A piano solo introduces the exquisite presentation of the dish. The dish is refined with a white sauce.

A beekeeper shows a family what a honeycomb looks like. Countless bees are at work on the honeycomb, buzzing loudly. A cow grazes and looks at us for a moment. Geese waddle loudly across a meadow and sheep bleat on a mat with a view of the Swabian Alb. A family feeds red deer in an animal park while bells ring in the background.

A child's hand dives into a flowing body of water before we glide through a cave in a boat and have to duck our heads. The water gurgles soothingly.

Purple bluebells grow in a meadow. The sounds of a summer meadow are captured: Butterflies fly, crickets chirp and bees pollinate flowers. A group of young people observe the busy insects together with a nature guide.

The ranger from the beginning is sitting on a fallen tree trunk that leads over a stream. The water gurgles below him and birds chirp. He smiles contentedly and gazes into the sun-drenched forest.

The credits say: We are Southwest Germany - Baden-Württemberg.

Be inspired and experience the natural side of Baden-Württemberg!

A nature holiday refers to a trip that focuses on experiencing nature, landscapes and outdoor activities. These include, for example, walking, cycling, birdwatching, trekking, canoeing or relaxing breaks in accommodation close to nature. Nature holidays can be active, relaxing or family-oriented, and usually take place in regions with a distinctive landscape and natural heritage.Many travellers deliberately seek out places with forests, lakes, river valleys, mountains, moors or nature reserves in order to escape everyday life and spend time in nature.


In Baden-Württemberg, nature holidays include, amongst other things:

Trekking adventures in the Black Forest and the Swabian-Franconian Forest
with official trekking camps for multi-day tours and overnight stays in the heart of the forest.

Experiencing the wilderness in the major protected areas
from the protected forests and moors of the Black Forest National Park to the juniper heaths, caves and rocky landscapes of the Swabian Alb Biosphere Reserve.

Discover nature in Baden-Württemberg’s seven nature parks
for example on the panoramic trails in the Southern Black Forest Nature Park, along the Danube cliffs in the Upper Danube Nature Park, or amongst the woods and vineyards in the Neckar Valley-Odenwald Nature Park.

Hiking and cycling through varied landscapes
from the vineyards of the Kaiserstuhl, through the river valleys of the Neckar and Danube, to the lakeside paths around Lake Constance.

Birdwatching and moorland experiences
at Federsee, with its birdlife of European significance, or on the wooden walkways through the Wurzacher Ried, one of the largest raised bogs in Central Europe.

Countryside holidays on farms, at vineyards and in hideaways
with direct access to walking trails, nature parks and regional experiences.

Getaways in Baden-Württemberg’s 20 Small-Town Gems
from Endingen am Kaiserstuhl via Eberbach im Odenwald to Tettnang on Lake Constance, where nature experiences often begin right on your doorstep.

Unique nature experiences found nowhere else
such as the orchid bloom on the Kaiserstuhl, punting trips through the Taubergießen nature reserve, walks amongst giant sequoias in the Weinheim Exotic Forest, rock hikes in the Upper Danube Valley or tours through the Wutach Gorge.

Explore waterfalls, gorges, and river landscapes
from the Allerheiligen Waterfalls in the Black Forest to the Margareten Gorge in the Neckar Valley, and canoe and bike tours along the Danube.

Enjoy regional products right where they’re produced
on blossom-viewing hikes in the Swabian Orchard Paradise, visits to cider mills and farm stands, as well as at direct-sales vendors and “Schmeck den Süden” establishments that bring the region’s specialties to your table.

A nature vacation in Baden-Württemberg is therefore much more than just hiking and biking: it combines unique landscapes, nature-oriented accommodations, protected natural areas, and regional experiences into a getaway that begins right on your doorstep.

Baden-Württemberg offers a wide variety of nature holiday destinations. Particularly well-known are the Black Forest, with its dense forests, lakes and waterfalls; the Swabian Alb, with its spectacular rock formations and caves; and Lake Constance, which combines nature experiences by the water with impressive views. Visitors can also expect unique landscapes in the moorland areas of Upper Swabia, including the Wurzacher Ried and the Federseemoor, which are among the most valuable natural areas in southern Germany. Other highlights include the Black Forest National Park, the Upper Danube Valley and the Wutach Gorge. Whether it’s hiking, cycling, wildlife watching or simply relaxing in nature: Baden-Württemberg offers the perfect region for every kind of nature holiday.

Nature holidays in Baden-Württemberg are particularly enjoyable in places where nature-friendly accommodation is situated right next to walking trails, nature reserves and natural attractions. These include the trekking camps in the Black Forest and the Swabian-Franconian Forest, the moorland landscapes of Upper Swabia, the natural regions around Lake Constance, the Upper Danube Valley and the Swabian Alb.

Those wishing to combine nature and culture will find suitable options in Baden-Württemberg’s Small-Town Gems. Places such as Wolfach, Bad Urach, Blaubeuren, Waldkirch and Wertheim offer easy access to forests, river valleys, cliffs, gorges and scenic hiking trails. The range of options is complemented by rural hideaways, holiday farms, nature campsites and sustainable accommodation set amidst the countryside.

The spectrum thus ranges from trekking adventures in the forest to holidays by a moor or lake, right through to a nature-filled break in a small town with direct access to Baden-Württemberg’s most beautiful landscapes.

Baden-Württemberg is one of the destinations in Germany where a nature holiday can be easily combined with a journey by train. Among the most popular regions are the Black Forest, the Swabian Alb, the Upper Danube Valley, the Lake Constance region, the moorlands of Upper Swabia-Allgäu, and the natural and wine-growing landscapes of the ‘Im Süden ganz oben’ (Northern Baden-Württemberg). Many hiking trails, cycle paths, nature parks, lakes, viewpoints and nature reserves can be reached directly from the station or via short bus journeys.

offer additional travel benefits, providing free or discounted use of buses and trains depending on your holiday destination. Well-known examples include the KONUS visitor card in the Black Forest and the AlbCard in the Swabian Alb. Numerous other holiday regions also offer visitor cards with integrated transport services, making it easy to reach day-trip destinations, hiking areas and nature experiences.

Anyone wishing to explore nature in comfort by train and bus will find ideal starting points in Baden-Württemberg’s 20 Small-Town Gems. These ‘hidden champions’ of the state combine good public transport links with close proximity to unique natural experiences. Endingen provides access to the Kaiserstuhl, Tettnang to the Lake Constance region, Bad Wurzach to the moorlands of Upper Swabia, Münsingen to the Swabian Alb, Sigmaringen to the Upper Danube Valley, and Eberbach and Buchen to the forests and valleys of northern Baden-Württemberg, ‘Im Süden ganz oben’.