What it's like to walk through Germany’s Black Forest

With hidden shadows and misty mountain air, there’s just something magical about Germany’s Black Forest. In fact, for generations, the seemingly sinister woods have made people question if there’s more there than what meets the eye. The forest provided the eerie backdrop for tales like Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White, and Rapunzel, plus plenty of spooky local folklore.

On our tour of Switzerland, Alsace & The Black Forest, traveler Ryan set out to stroll its mysterious wooded walkways and see what all the buzz was about.

The Black Forest seems almost impenetrable with beams of light streaking through the trees’ shadows. It’s definitely understandable why so much folklore and so many fairytales come from this region. Once you venture into the forest, you really understand where the name comes from.

The Triberg Waterfall was a highlight. It’s an incredible sight and a nice way to wrap up after a day of exploring the fascinating region. The waterfall is actually quite large but almost seems to get lost in certain areas due to the tall trees above and the dense moss and foliage all around. It’s a fairly short walk to get to the waterfall itself. Our bus dropped us off at one of the access points on the trail, probably a 10 to 15 minute walk to the bridge, where the best vantage point of the waterfall is.

After walking to the waterfall with my group, lots of my fellow tour mates headed down to the small town below, but I ventured up the path and deeper into the forest. There were other people hiking, taking pictures, and exploring.

As you make your way further from the waterfall, it becomes less crowded and the noise gets diluted. There are massive rocks along the stream, which are almost invisible under a thick black moss that adds to the heaviness of the forest.

When you find a place where the tree line breaks and you are able to see the town below, it gives an interesting perspective and you can understand why people might believe some of the stories that have emerged from this shadowy forest.

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