Health-Giving Climate in the Black Forest Highlands

When it comes to the Black Forest Highlands unique climate, sports scientist and tourism expert Nicolaus Prinz is quick to enthuse. He is particularly passionate about a little-known activity with close ties to the region: ‘air bathing’. This is how he describes spending time in the climatic health resorts of the High Black Forest.
To understand what makes this health-giving climate so special, we join Nicolaus Prinz for a walk through the forests around Lake Schluchsee. Today is not about peak athletic performance, but something quite different: consciously experiencing the effects of fresh air and sunshine on the body.


This means deliberately going without a thick jumper or hat. The reason is that the body has to respond to external stimuli to maintain a constant temperature. ‘The body always wants to stay at the same temperature. I like to compare it to a Thermos flask,’ Prinz explains. This stimulates the body’s natural thermoregulation, which may in turn activate the immune system.
Sunshine also plays an important role. ‘We shouldn’t demonise the sun,’ says Prinz. Brief exposure to UVB rays in the High Black Forest’s climatic health resorts can stimulate the body’s production of vitamin D. In Prinz’s view, this, together with the clean mountain air and intense sunshine, contributes to the region’s health-giving qualities.