Kandern

Day Trips

Begin with a freshly baked butter pretzel and a cup of dark roast coffee at a local bakery nestled between half-timbered houses. Wander along cobblestone streets as morning light illuminates the historic market square. Pause to admire the crisp stucco facades and peek through the doors of centuries-old churches.

Browse artisan shops offering handcrafted pottery, leather goods, and traditional Black Forest cuckoo clocks. Join a guided walking tour to uncover anecdotes about Kandern’s medieval past and its porcelain-making heritage. Stop at a café for a slice of Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte paired with herbal tea.

Dine at a family-run Gasthaus serving schnitzel drizzled with fragrant chanterelle sauce. Raise a glass of regional Riesling as folk melodies drift through candlelit windows. End the night with a leisurely stroll beneath the twinkling lanterns of the old town center.

Fuel up with a hearty Bauernfrühstück of bacon, egg, and potatoes before setting out from Kandern’s trailhead. Follow forested paths as dew-tipped ferns brush your ankles. Pause to listen for woodpeckers knocking on ancient spruce trunks.

Reach the summit plateau of Blauen and enjoy panoramic views of the Black Forest and distant Vosges Mountains. Lay out a picnic of cured sausages, local cheese, and a crusty loaf from the morning bakery. Breathe deeply as a cool breeze carries the scent of pine and mountain air.

Descend via a sunlit ridge path that leads back toward town. Stop at a rustic mountain hut for a steaming mug of herbal tee and Bavarian plum cake. Return to Kandern by sunset, the sky awash in rose and gold hues.

Catch a regional train to Staufen, a storybook town steeped in legend. Climb toward the half-ruined castle as morning mist clears from the valley. Explore narrow alleys lined with carved wooden doorways.

Tour Alchemist Paracelsus’s museum to learn about early medicinal practices and mysterious experimental contraptions. Enjoy lunch at a courtyard café, sampling tender bratwurst with mustard and sauerkraut. Wander to the town moat and relax under towering lime trees.

Attend an open-air medieval reenactment if available, featuring costumed archers and minstrels. Sip a tangy Radler beer while savoring roast pork slow-cooked in local herbs. Wander back to the station under lantern light for a short ride home.

Arrive early at the nearby glass studio to watch artisans shape molten glass into shimmering vases. Feel the heat of the furnace and appreciate the precision of each twist and blow. Try your hand at a mini glass ornament under expert guidance.

Head to the Black Forest Museum to uncover rural life exhibits showcasing traditional musical instruments and folk costumes. Participate in a short demonstration on wooden bowl carving or yarn spinning. Break for lunch, savoring a platter of Maultaschen dumplings in rich broth.

Return to Kandern and explore night-market stalls if they’re in season. Sample grilled bratwurst seasoned with caraway seeds, washed down with a pint of locally brewed lager. End the night with a gentle stroll along the riverbanks, where fireflies glow in the reeds.

Hire a sturdy touring bike in Kandern and set off upstream along the Wiese River’s gentle currents. Pedal through wooded groves and sunflower fields drenched in morning light. Stop by a riverside bench to enjoy home-baked streuselkuchen and orange juice.

Continue toward Steinen, passing old water mills and grazing sheep. Pause at a meadow to savor a picnic featuring cured ham, cheese, and crisp apple slices. Visit a family-run distillery to sample schnapps infused with wild elderberries.

Return to Kandern as the sky shifts to lavender and tangerine. Dine alfresco at a terrace restaurant overlooking the river, feasting on smoked trout and roasted root vegetables. Wind down with a glass of tawny port amid gentle chatter of fellow guests.

Drive or cycle to a nearby vineyard in the sun-soaked Markgräflerland region. Meet the winemaker for a tour through rows of Pinot Noir and Gutedel grapes. Sample fresh grape juice and learn about sustainable cultivation methods.

Gather around a long wooden table under a pergola draped in vines. Indulge in a multi-course lunch pairing regional whites and rosés with goat cheese salad, charcuterie, and roasted asparagus. Stroll among barrels in the cool cellar and taste aged Spätburgunder Reserva.

Return to Kandern and splurge on a six-course gourmet menu at a Michelin-recommended bistro. Opt for a wine flight featuring the day’s favorites. Conclude with an espresso and chocolate truffles by an open hearth.

Catch the train to Freiburg im Breisgau, the warm, vibrant university city of the Black Forest’s base. Wander through the Munsterplatz farmers’ market, sampling local honey and plum jam. Admire Gothic spires as morning sunlight dances on stained glass.

Climb Schlossberg Hill via a scenic trail or funicular for sweeping city and vineyard vistas. Enjoy lunch at a hilltop café, devouring Flammkuchen topped with crème fraîche and onions. Descend to explore the old quarter’s quirky Bächle water channels.

Return to Kandern by early evening to avoid peak traffic. Dine at a riverside tavern with golden fried perch and a crisp pilsner. Stroll home under a sky ablaze with stars, listening to distant church bells.

Travel to Germany’s highest peak in the Black Forest, Feldberg, dressed in sturdy boots. Hike forest trails lined with moss-clad boulders and watch mist swirl between fir trunks. Pause at a lookout to spot the mighty Rhine Valley below.

Arrive at the summit station for a hearty lunch of bratkartoffeln and grilled sausages. Warm up in a cozy mountain hut over mugs of spiced glühwein if it’s cooler. Explore scenic ridge trails that reveal hidden glacial lakes fringed by pines.

Descend to the valley for dinner at a traditional mountain inn. Order Käsespätzle smothered in melted Emmentaler and caramelized onions. Relish the peaceful hush of the forest as dusk settles around you.

Board an early train to Basel, Switzerland, passing pastel villages hugging the Rhine banks. Sip coffee on deck as the river winds through vineyard-dotted slopes. Disembark to stroll the historic old town’s Basel Minster plaza.

Cross the Rhine to explore the avant-garde Art Museum or Fondation Beyeler. Pause for a lunch of Basel’s famous Läckerli ginger-spice biscuits and a glass of white Burgundy. Wander through the paper-thin lanes of the Spalenberg quarter.

Return to Kandern by dusk, the train cutting through valley shadows. Unpack memories of Swiss chocolate and medieval cathedral gargoyles. End the night with a bowl of creamy leek soup and crusty bread at your guesthouse.

Treat yourself to a private yoga session in a sunlit studio beside the Wiese River. Sip detox water infused with cucumber and mint while reflecting on your journey. Enjoy a light brunch of avocado toast and fresh grapefruit segments.

Book a full-body wellness massage and soak in a herbal sauna infused with Black Forest spruce oils. Drift into relaxation as gentle strains of classical music fill the spa lounge. Refuel with a farmer’s platter of smoked ham, regional cheese, and crunchy radishes.

Dine at a riverside gourmet grill for a final taste of tender venison medallions with juniper berry sauce. Raise a farewell toast with a glass of local Gewürztraminer under twinkling fairy lights. Stroll the quiet riverbank one last time, committing the scents of pine and evening mist to memory.