Landschaft im Dreisamtal bei Oberried
Black Forest Drone

Out into the countryside

The best excursion destinations in Freiburg's surroundings

As much as we love our city: There are also some good reasons to get out and about. To explore unique landscapes such as the Black Forest, the Dreisamtal or the Kaiserstuhl on foot or by bike. To immerse yourself in history at historical sites such as the ruins of Staufen Castle. To enjoy a glass of wine at one of the many vineyards or state wineries. Or to experience a real adrenaline rush at the nearby Europa-Park. Whatever you fancy, this region is a real all-rounder. So let's head out into the beautiful surroundings of Freiburg!
 

  • Blick auf den Schauinslandturm bei Sonnenaufgang
    Black Forest Drone
    Schauinslandturm
    Where is this place?
    The most beautiful trails on Freiburg's local mountainSchauinsland

    There are many beautiful routes to climb the 1,284-metre-high Schauinsland on foot or by bike – and a convenient option with the Schauinslandbahn cable car. All routes up Freiburg's local mountain are worthwhile: the view from the summit over the Rhine Valley and the Kaiserstuhl to the Vosges is unique!

    Discover the Schauinsland!
    Discover the Schauinsland!
  • Blick auf die Weinreben im Kaiserstuhl
    Chris Keller Schwarzwald Tourismus
    Freiburg's wine region – a real rarityKaiserstuhl

    Northwest of Freiburg, the volcanic massif of Kaiserstuhl and Tuniberg forms a real gourmet region: the wine-growing area is often referred to as the ‘Burgundy oasis’ – after all, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris are the most commonly grown grape varieties here. But you can also find botanical rarities at Kaiserstuhl: in the Liliental Forest Arboretum.

    More about the Kaiserstuhl
    More about the Kaiserstuhl
  • Paar wandert in Kirchzarten im Dreisamtal
    TMBW Christoph Düpper
    On the sunny side of the southern Black ForestDreisamtal

    What a location: this sunny valley with the four villages of Kirchzarten, Oberried, Buchenbach, and Stegen is located in the Southern Black Forest Nature Park. In the forests, you will find many cycling and hiking trails, and on the Giersberg, Kirchzarten's local mountain, there is also a baroque pilgrimage chapel and a beer garden where you can enjoy home-style cooking under the linden trees while gazing into the distance.

    More about the Dreisamtal
    More about the Dreisamtal
Top destinations for hiking, cycling & enjoyment

Nature highlights

Probably the most beautiful sight in Freiburg's surroundings? The nature! And the best thing about it: the unique mix of forests, mountains and wine regions begins just beyond the city limits.

Pure wilderness

Black Forest Biosphere Reserve
They are the "primeval forests of tomorrow": In the core zones of the 63,000-hectare Black Forest biosphere reserve south of Freiburg, nature can develop without any human influence. These zones are particularly beautiful to explore on the 5-kilometre-long wilderness adventure trail in Oberried-St. Wilhelm. There are 14 stations along the way where you can learn more about this landscape - skill and athletic endeavour are also required!
Discover the biosphere reserve
Best theme park in the world? Europa-Park!

Adrenaline rush for the whole family

Europa-Park in Rust, less than 40 kilometres north of Freiburg, has already dusted off this title several times: best theme park in the world. No wonder: there are over 100 attractions and a 23-hour show programme on around 950,000 square metres. Star of Europa-Park: At a height of 73 metres, the Silver Star is the highest and, at 127 kilometres per hour, also the fastest roller coaster in the park. Incidentally, Europa-Park has also had its own water park, Rulantica, since 2019. In addition to 28 water slides - including an eight-lane racing slide - there is also a water carousel and several virtual reality adventures to experience.

More about Europa-Park
Europa-Park Rust Themenbereich Frankreich mit Blick auf den See
Katrin Lehr
Europa-Park
Where is this place?
Ed Euroamaus Statue und Blick auf Achterbahn Voltron im Europa-Park Rust
Europa-Park
Europa-Park
Where is this place?
Pleasure, history, greenery: 4 must-sees

Excursion destinations around Freiburg

Fancy discovering the history and traditions of the unique landscape around Freiburg? These excursion destinations will inspire you:

  • State Winery Freiburg
    Staatsweingut Freiburg
    FWTM Spiegelhalter
    Wine tasting at the Freiburg State Winery

    Sustainable enjoyment

    Making viticulture more environmentally friendly and resource-efficient: This is the declared aim of the Freiburg State Wine Institute. On the Blankenhornsberg on the Kaiserstuhl and in Freiburg and Ebringen, the state winery cultivates a total of 37 hectares of vineyards to the highest quality standards. You can taste the results at the regular wine tastings in the Blankenhornsberg vinotheque: a lasting pleasure!
    Vinotheque Blankenhornsberg
  • Blick auf die Burg Staufen
    TMBW Achim Mende
    Far-reaching view from the Staufen castle ruins

    A walk into the past

    It's just a 15-minute walk from the small town of Staufen with its 8,500 inhabitants to the ruins of Staufen Castle - and at the same time, this walk takes you far back in time: the castle was first mentioned in 1248; it was destroyed during the Thirty Years' War in 1633. What remains are the ruins overlooking the town, from where you have a sweeping view of the Rhine plain and the Vosges mountains.
    Staufen castle ruins
  • Blick auf das forstliche Arboretum Liliental
    Chris Eltjes
    Why sequoias grow at the Kaiserstuhl

    A visit to exotic plants

    Oaks, birches, lime trees and beeches, as well as orchids, Japanese tree species and an impressive redwood forest can be found on the southern edge of the Kaiserstuhl: an 80-hectare forestry test site was established here in the 1950s, which has since inspired foresters and scientists as well as walkers. There are also regular guided tours of the Liliental site!
    Liliental Forest Arboretum
  • Frauen in Tracht im Vogtsbauernhof Gutach
    Hansen Schwarzwald Tourismus
    Black Forest traditions in the open-air museum

    History you can touch

    In the 1960s, the more than 300-year-old Vogtsbauernhof was renovated and turned into a museum - in the meantime, various historic farms, houses and winegrowing estates from the entire Black Forest region have been rebuilt here. There are also outbuildings such as mills or sawmills, farm and herb gardens or enclosures with animals of old breeds. The tour through the open-air museum is around two kilometres long: history you can touch!
    Vogtsbauernhof Open-Air Museum
Sweeping views from the Waldkirch treetop walk

On a par with the Black Forest

The view of the Rhine Valley, the Kaiserstuhl and the Vosges Mountains stretches as far as the eye can see from the Waldkirch treetop walk, which is up to 23 metres high: you can walk 200 metres from platform to platform with the most beautiful views - and get very close to the treetops and the unique Black Forest landscape.

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