Some excursions don't require hiking boots, a drive to the parking lot, or searching for the right starting point. You sit down on a train, find a window seat – and the Black Forest glides past you as if someone had booked a panoramic cinema for you. That's exactly what the Black Forest Railway is.
Between Hornberg , Triberg and St. Georgen, it winds its way up the mountain on one of the most spectacular mountain roads in Europe. Tunnel follows tunnel, the valley suddenly drops away far below you, and when you see the same church for the second time – but this time from above – you understand what the engineers accomplished here over 150 years ago.
This guide shows you what makes the route so special, which side you should sit on, where to get off along the way, and how to turn a train journey into a full day of vacation.
What makes the Black Forest Railway so special
The Black Forest Railway connects Offenburg on the edge of the Rhine plain with Singen (Hohentwiel) at the foot of the Hegau region. Its key figures read like a record book:
- 149 km route length
- period 650 meters in altitude Difference between the lowest and highest points
- 39 tunnel along the route
- two reversing loops – a completely new idea in railway construction at the time
- Construction time 1863 – 1873, continuously passable since the 10 November 1873
The engineer Robert Gerwig from Baden was responsible for this masterpiece . His guiding principle sounded simple, yet was revolutionary: few bridges, many tunnels. Instead of spanning expensive and maintenance-intensive viaducts over every side valley, he bored into the mountain – and designed the route in such a way that it compensated for the gradient through its length.
You can find more background information on the construction history in the detailed Wikipedia article on the Black Forest Railway.
The trick with the loops: 11 kilometers become 26
The real highlight lies between Hornberg and Sommerau . Here, the railway has to overcome an altitude difference of 448 meters : from 384 meters in Hornberg up to 832 meters at the summit.
As the crow flies, it's just eleven kilometers . A direct route would have required a gradient that no train could manage without a cogwheel. Gerwig's solution: He lengthened the route to 26 kilometers , laid it in wide curves along the valley slopes, and led it back through the mountain in two large loops .
The result is a maximum gradient of only 20 per mille – gentle enough for normal trains, without a rack and pinion or pusher locomotive. On the journey, you notice this through a wonderfully disorienting effect: you see the same place multiple times, each time from a different height and angle.
The longest tunnel on the route is the Sommerau Tunnel at 1.697 meters . It has a unique geographical feature: the watershed between the Rhine and Danube rivers runs beneath it . On one side, the water flows towards the North Sea, and on the other, towards the Black Sea.
The Reichenbach Viaduct in Hornberg
If Gerwig hardly built any bridges – where is the one big bridge? In Hornberg . Shortly before the train station, the railway crosses the Reichenbach Viaduct , the only significant bridge on the entire route to Lake Constance.
- 150 Meters later
- 24 Meters hoch
- seven arches
- built 1924/25 made of concrete and granite as a replacement for the previous building
From Hornberg Castle Hill you have a really good view of the building – and if a train happens to be passing over it, you get the postcard motif for free.
Which side should you sit on? The most important tip
This question determines half the journey. The clear recommendation:
- Towards Constance (uphill, from Offenburg): Sit in Right-hand driveYou look down into the Gutach valley and see the route you just drove lying below you.
- Towards Offenburg (downhill, from Konstanz): Then exclusive links the better choice.
Second tip: Avoid traveling during rush hour. Trains are less crowded in the late morning and early afternoon, and you'll get a window seat without the hassle. Have your phone handy – but don't stare at the screen the whole time. The best moments only last a few seconds before the next tunnel appears.
The route section by section
Offenburg – Gengenbach – Haslach – Hausach: A leisurely start through the Kinzig Valley . Half-timbered towns, orchards, gentle slopes. Here you'll build anticipation.
Hausach – Gutach – Hornberg: The valley narrows, the slopes become steeper. In Gutach , right on the route, lies the Vogtsbauernhof Open-Air Museum – one of the most beautiful stops along the way. You can find everything you need to know about it in our article on the Vogtsbauernhof Open-Air Museum.
Hornberg – Triberg: Now the spectacular part begins. Tunnel after tunnel follows, the view changes every second between rock, forest and panoramic vistas.
Triberg – St. Georgen: The hairpin bends, the Sommerau tunnel, the summit. Once at the top, the landscape opens up to the Baar plateau.
St. Georgen – Villingen – Donaueschingen – Singen: Open spaces instead of narrow confines. In Donaueschingen lies the famous source of the Danube in the castle park, and in Villingen, one of the best-preserved old towns in the region.
The Black Forest Railway Adventure Trail: the route on foot
Do you want to not just see the technology from the window, but understand it? Then the Black Forest Railway Adventure Trail is just the thing for you.
- Length: period 12,5 km
- Duration: etwa 4 hours 15 minutes
- Difficulty: light
- Start and finish: Station Triberg, where a historic steam locomotive is on display
- 16 stations using original material from railway construction
The trail explains on-site how the tunnels were built, how Gerwig laid out the route, and what it meant to work here without machinery. Along the way, there's a skywalk offering views of the route. Details and a route map can be found directly on the Triberg town website.
Hornberg: more than just a train station
Hornberg lies where the Reichenbach valley meets the Gutach valley – at altitudes between 344 and 970 meters, with around 4.300 inhabitants in the Ortenau district. The town is the ideal location if you want to make the Black Forest Railway the focus of your vacation.
You should check this out:
- The historic castle hill. The castle of the Lords of Hornberg was built around 1100. Among the preserved features are the approximately 20-meter-high castle tower and the massive Powder tower, which now houses a multimedia exhibition. In addition, there is a Rococo garden, an adventure playground, and viewpoints overlooking the valley.
- The open-air stage. This is where the story that made Hornberg world-famous is played out: the "Hornberg Shooting"The saying represents a lot of effort with little result. Its origin is not historically documented – but it is still celebrated, and with enthusiasm. The current program can be found on the website of... Hornberg Open-Air Stage.
- The Protestant city church, between 1600 and 1603 according to plans by Heinrich Schickhardt built – an early example of Protestant church architecture.
- The Hornberger-Schießen-Weg, a themed hiking trail around the city.
You can find all current information about opening hours and events on the website of the city of Hornberg.
Triberg: Waterfalls, clocks and the most famous train station on the route
Just a few minutes further on lies Triberg – for many, the highlight of the journey. The Triberg Waterfalls plunge approximately 163 meters in seven stages , making them among the highest waterfalls in Germany. A well-maintained path leads directly to them from the train station.
Added to this is the clockmaking tradition: cuckoo clocks , workshops, and museums still shape the town today. Those interested in the craftsmanship behind them will find fascinating insights in our article about Trenkle clocks from the Black Forest.
For tips on how to best combine Triberg with other destinations, see our guide to Triberg and the Triberg Waterfalls.
Tickets, KONUS and the best way to travel
Regular tickets: The Black Forest Railway is a completely normal train line. You don't need a special ticket, a time slot, or a reservation. You can find timetables and prices on the Deutsche Bahn website.
The best money-saving tip – the KONUS guest card: If you stay in participating accommodation in the Black Forest, you'll usually receive the KONUS guest card free of charge. This allows you to travel free of charge on buses and trains in around 150 Black Forest municipalities – including the Black Forest Railway (Schwarzwaldbahn) for local transport. This makes the scenic journey practically free. Simply ask when booking whether your host offers KONUS.
For groups and families, it's worth taking a look at day tickets for Baden-Württemberg. You can find practical planning tips in our article on group trips to the Black Forest.
Driving with children works surprisingly well: tunnels, bridges, and the view below are more exciting for most than any screen time. Our article on family outings in the Black Forest offers further ideas.
Before you set off: The quickest way to check current construction sites or track closures on the Black Forest Railway is directly with Deutsche Bahn.
The best time of year for the scenic drive
Spring: Fresh greenery on the slopes, clear air, good visibility. The waterfalls are flowing strongly.
Summer: Long days, plenty of light in the narrow valleys. On hot days, the train ride is pleasant – and the waterfalls in Triberg provide welcome refreshment.
Autumn: For many, the most beautiful time of year. The beech-covered slopes glow yellow and red, fog lies in the valleys in the mornings, and when the train emerges from a tunnel into the sunshine, you get images that no summer day can offer.
Winter: Snow covers the high plateaus around St. Georgen, and bare trees reveal the trail. You can often see the route more clearly in winter than in the dense summer foliage. If the weather is completely uncooperative, our ideas for activities in the Black Forest in bad weather will help.
This is how you make a whole day out of it
A tried and tested routine for a relaxed day on the train:
- Morning: Start in Offenburg or Hausach, leisurely drive through the Kinzig Valley.
- Stopover in Gutach: Vogtsbauernhof Open Air Museum, approximately two to three hours.
- Onward to Hornberg: Ascent to the Schlossberg, view of the Reichenbach viaduct, lunch break.
- Afternoon to Triberg: Waterfalls and a section of the Black Forest Railway adventure trail.
- Return journey or continue towards St. Georgen, to include the hairpin bends and the Sommerau tunnel.
For those who prefer to travel without a fixed plan: The trains run regularly, and you can get off spontaneously at any time. That's precisely what makes the journey so relaxing.
Photographing along the route: the best spots
The Black Forest Railway is a classic among railway photographers. If you want to bring your own good pictures:
- Hornberger Schlossberg: A view of the Reichenbach viaduct and the town below.
- Viewpoints along the adventure trail near Triberg: Several locations open the route with tunnel portals.
- The slopes above Niederwasser: Here you can see how the route winds its way through the landscape in loops.
Two requests that should go without saying for photographers: Always stay outside the track area and respect private property . The best perspectives are on public paths anyway.
Vacation in Hornberg
To truly experience the Black Forest Railway, it's best to stay for a few days. Hornberg is the perfect starting point: situated in the heart of the Gutach Valley, directly on the railway line, with Triberg, Gutach, Schramberg, and the Kinzig Valley all within easy reach. From the train station, you can reach the hiking trails in just a few minutes – and in the evenings, you'll discover a Black Forest town that, after work, belongs entirely to itself again.
From cozy inns to holiday apartments with valley views, you'll find down-to-earth, family-run accommodations here. And with the guest card in your luggage, every train journey becomes an inclusive experience.
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Accommodation in Hornberg
Frequently Asked Questions about the Black Forest Railway (FAQ)
How long is the Black Forest Railway?
The route between Offenburg and Singen (Hohentwiel) is approximately 149 kilometers long and overcomes about 650 meters of altitude.
How many tunnels does the Black Forest Railway have?
There are 39 tunnels along the entire route. The vast majority of these are located in the mountain section between Hausach and St. Georgen. The longest is the Sommerau Tunnel at 1.697 meters.
Who built the Black Forest Railway?
It was designed by the Baden engineer Robert Gerwig. Construction took place between 1863 and 1873; the entire route has been continuously passable since November 10, 1873.
What are the reversing loops of the Black Forest Railway?
Between Hornberg and Sommerau, the route winds through the mountain in two large loops to gain altitude. This increases the distance from eleven kilometers as the crow flies to approximately 26 kilometers – with a maximum gradient of 20 per mille.
