Germany: Castles, Hiking, and Black Forest Cake

Esslingen, Germany

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Want more Germany? Follow along with the vlog of my week long adventure in Germany.

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The suspension bridge swayed gently beneath my feet as I gripped the railings, 40 meters above the Black Forest canopy. Below me, evergreens stretched endlessly toward the horizon. While behind me, my cousin Madeline was probably questioning her decision to go on this particular adventure.

But this moment of terror-mixed-with-awe perfectly captures what I discovered during my week exploring Germany's Baden-Württemberg region: sometimes the most rewarding experiences come from pushing past your comfort zone in the most beautiful places imaginable.

Whether you're castle-obsessed like I am, a hiking enthusiast, or someone who simply can't resist authentic Black Forest cake (guilty as charged), Baden-Württemberg offers a perfect blend of fairy-tale landscapes, rich history, and practical adventures that don't require speaking German…though Google Translate definitely helps.

While my cousin Madeline is currently working in Stuttgart, Germany, I took the opportunity to check another country off my bucket list.

However, I did not anticipate the beauty that is Germany’s Baden-Württemberg state. Even with the cold temperatures of March, I was blown away by how beautiful the country is.

Black Forest - Bad Wildbad Treetop Walk

Nestled in the southwest part of Baden-Württemberg, lies the majestic Black Forest. I was definitely living out my Brothers Grimm fairy tales for this excursion. We traversed the Treetop Walk in Bad Wildbad, and let me tell you, the views were spectacular! However, the suspension bridge is not for the faint of heart if you have a huge fear of heights. The gentle swaying of the bridge did not help with my already jittery nerves. We rewarded our bravery with Black Forest cake later. I am still dreaming about that cake.

The Treetop Walk (Baumwipfelpfad Schwarzwald): Take the Sommerberg Cable Car (Sommerbergbahn) from Bad Wildbad town center directly to the treetop walk entrance. The cable car station is easy to spot and runs regularly throughout the day.

Other Activities in Bad Wildbad

• Thermal Baths: Bad Wildbad is famous for its thermal springs - perfect for relaxing after your treetop adventure

• Hiking Trails: Multiple marked trails start from the Sommerberg area

• Mountain Railway: The historic funicular itself is an attraction worth experiencing

• Wildline Suspension Bridge: Another thrilling walkway experience in the area

Heidelberg Castle

Madeline had already been living in Germany for a year by the time I visited, but somehow she hadn’t visited Heidelberg yet. This town was at the top of my list and it did not disappoint. Although we did not tour the inside of the Heidelberg Castle, the outside still had plenty to see. The castle ruins were so fascinating and left me dreaming of what life would be like to live there. This was definitely my favorite part of the trip!

Heidelberg Castle attracts around a million visitors annually and has been synonymous with Romanticism since the early 19th century. The red sandstone ruins perched above the old town offer some of Germany's most iconic views, and the history spans over 800 years.

Other Heidelberg Attractions:

• Walk the Philosopher's Path (Philosophenweg) across the river for the best castle views

• Explore the baroque Old Town and University of Heidelberg

• Visit the Old Bridge (Alte Brücke) with its iconic monkey statue

• Browse the longest pedestrian shopping street in Europe (Hauptstrasse)

The Heidelberg Tun

While exploring the Heidelberg Castle, you can help but feel small next to one of the largest wine vats in the world. This massive barrel holds 220,000 liters and has its own dance floor on top!

Ludwigsburg Castle

I had originally planned a day trip to Strasbourg, France while Madeline had to go into the office for work. However, I forgot to check the planned strikes in France before I left for Germany. To my credit, I had planned around the strikes in Germany but did not even consider that my train to Strasbourg would be operated by the French. So I pivoted to a day trip to Ludwigsburg instead.

Ludwigsburg Palace

With 452 rooms in 18 buildings, the Ludwigsburg Palace is one of Europe's largest original Baroque complexes to survive in its original condition. It showcases 300 years of architectural evolution from Baroque to Rococo to Neoclassical.

Since it was the off season for tourism, they only had tours of the palace in the German language. At first, I was ok with just walking around with the group to see all the rooms without knowing any details (I do not speak German). After the first joke that our tour guide cracked and everyone laughed but me, I quickly turned on my Google Translate so I didn’t miss anymore jokes as well as the history of the Palace. I did not want to miss out!

Pro Tips for Future Visitors

1. Book English tours in advance during peak season

2. Allow 3-4 hours total for palace and gardens

3. Check for seasonal events - the palace hosts festivals and special exhibitions

4. Combine with other nearby attractions - it's worth spending a full day in Ludwigsburg

Ludwigsburg Palace

From conquering my fear of heights on treetop walks to navigating palace tours in a language I don't speak, this trip reminded me that the best adventures happen when we say "yes" to the unknown. Whether you're drawn to medieval castle ruins, breathtaking forest views, or simply the promise of authentic Black Forest cake, Baden-Württemberg offers the perfect blend of comfort and challenge that makes for unforgettable travel.

Ciao for now!

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