Baumwipfelpfad, a wooden tower in the middle of the forest
If in the middle of a conversation we let you go, just like that, “Baden-Württemberg” , the safest thing is that you look at us strangely. But if we expand and tell you that it is **the German state where the famous Black Forest is located ** your eyebrows will probably start to stop being arched.
And it is that this vast **forest in the southwest of Germany ** is an essential destination for anyone who prides himself on being a traveler. However, the region also hides other treasures and deserves a thorough tour. This is what we knew, but there is much more!
Black forest
Enigmatic and unapproachable. The Black forest is a green lung that occupies a large part of the state of Baden-Württemberg with its lush vegetation, its lakes and its towns taken from stories of fairies that requires a few days to go through it thoroughly.
Baden-Wuerttemberg beyond Hohenzollern Castle
At another time we will talk about such media icons as the Hohenzollern castle, the town of Freiburg im Breisgau or the Triberg waterfalls , but this time we are going to focus on its northern part.
our destiny is Baumwipfelpfad , a name that has cost us so much to write that we have directly given up pronouncing.
Baumwipfelpfad is an impressive spiral wooden tower raised in a forest clearing from whose highest point, that exceeds the treetops , you can contemplate the immense green sea to which no end can be guessed.
But how do you get to this surprising construction that, as if that were not enough, also has a steep slide to slide when the good weather returns?
The locality that you have to put in the GPS is Bad Wildbad , an idyllic municipality that very reminiscent of alpine villages and that it is the product of the merger, a few decades ago, of several towns in the area.
If you travel from nearby Pforzheim, you will be surprised by the sudden change of landscape that the road takes you through, which plunges into the bucolic hollow , the trees at the foot of the asphalt, the river Enz happy and mighty.
The walkway leading up to the Baumwipfelpfad tower
The Baumwipfelpfad tower is located at the end of a curious wooden walkway that runs between the trees and reaches in some sections 20 meters high due to the unevenness of the terrain.
This path between the branches, which can generate a lot of impression, also has some little games to give more emotion to about a mile and a half that you have to go until you reach the tower.
Once you have admired the landscape from above, it is not compulsory to return along the same walkway, but you can follow one of the perfectly signposted routes through the forest and lose yourself among the trees.
But watch the clock because otherwise you won't be on time. relax in the hot springs or spas that make the town of Bad Wildbad famous, the best option after an intense day in the nature .
Heidelberg
The city of Heidelberg, **seat of the oldest university in Germany**, is without a doubt an essential visit in this German state. University but with economic muscle, touristy but not overcrowded (at least in winter), this town that rests next to the river Neckar has been able to preserve its romantic charm.
The university city of Heidelberg
Its old quarter is structured by the pedestrian and commercial haupstrasse , which leads to wide squares like the Kornmarkt or the Marktplatz , where stands the imposing church of the Holy Spirit, part of a beautiful trio next to the Jesuit church and the church of San Pedro.
There is no doubt that the center of Heidelberg has remarkable monuments but none can be compared with the city castle . Majestic despite the fact that many areas are in ruins, you will be captivated by the almost fabled charm of this construction of reddish tones that dates from around the year 1300.
Despite its poor condition, it is possible to visit it inside although, if you do not want to go in, the collapse of certain walls allows you to get a very rough idea of its interior.
The enclosure is not limited only to the castle, you can walk through what long ago were some pompous gardens and admire the construction from other perspectives. If you are one of those who makes you envious with your trips, we give you a clue: the facade of the Friedrich wing is very instagrammable.
It is not mandatory, but to visit Heidelberg it is advisable to wear good hiking boots.
The reason is that on the other side of the icy Neckar, crossing the charming bridge of Carlos Teodoro by its characteristic door, is the Philosopher's Walk , a path in the forest It has several viewpoints. to enjoy the fantastic panoramic views of the city.
heidelberg castle
The boots will be very useful if you decide to take the path and go into the thicket a bit. As exploring Heidelberg leaves you quite tired, it is best regain strength in some of the city's restaurants where they serve typical German dishes, another way to continue immersing yourself in the German environment.
We liked them so much the schnitzel, a kind of very tasty escalope , What spätzle, a type of pasta that is cooked in the south of the country.
stuttgart
The capital of the state of Baden-Würtenberg does not have as strong a tourist charm as other towns in the region, but that does not mean that it is not worth a visit. surrounded by hills , resting on a soft valley, the city center is home to some of the most prominent buildings and its most famous and spacious squares.
The Scholssplatz, the palace or castle square , is the nerve center of the city and its size makes it easy to organize fairs, concerts or the Christmas market. In the same square is the new palace , which currently and unfortunately, having administrative functions, not open to the public.
We can continue the visit eating a pretzel from a nearby bakery. The fame of these buns has crossed borders and some will say that only tourists eat them but don't pay attention to them: the Germans love them and that's why They don't cost a single euro , give yourself the pleasure!
From Scholssplatz you can easily walk to nearby Karlsplatz, Schillerplatz and the city's opera , the latter located next to a small park.
The Scholsplatz in Stuttgart
If Stuttgart is famous for anything, it is for hosting its headquarters and also the museums of two major vehicle brands : Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. If you are passionate about cars, one of these manufacturers or just curious, you will leave these museums with a smile from ear to ear.
And what do you think if once we have explored the center of Stuttgart we see it from above? As we said before, the capital is surrounded by hills , populated by the wealthiest people in the city and adapted with multiple viewpoints to enjoy the views.
Our first and closest stop is Killesberg, a bucolic and large park much appreciated by the local population and which leads to a tower from which to enjoy views of the city.
And as we are going to talk a lot about palaces later, we are already preparing the ground for you with this proposal. We refer to Solitude Palace , a small but proud construction of rococo style from the second half of the 18th century, standing alone on top of a hill.
Killesberg's tower
It can be accessed by car, bus or as we did: on foot from Bergheimer Hof U-Bahn station , a tour of about three kilometers uphill but -and here comes the reason for this madness- crossing the beautiful forest surrounding the palace.
Louisburg
The German taste for palaces finds its highest expression in the city of Louisburg (Ludwigsburg in German). The town is located a few kilometers from Stuttgart and about twenty minutes on the S-Bahn, the German metropolitan train.
Wide streets and squares, rather low buildings and extensive parks are the characteristic elements of this city of palaces. Located in the center, the most majestic of the three that Luisburgo has: the Residential Palace, the 'Swabian Versailles' .
Built at the beginning of the 18th century, it is one of the great German baroque palaces and can be visited today . It is accompanied by one of those large gardens that we always associate with these buildings and without a doubt the complex, despite not resisting comparison with Versailles, is of great magnificence.
Not far from the Residential Palace we find the Favorite Palace, a charming summer residence and hunting lodge from the first quarter of the 18th century in which we were surprised that its exterior was baroque when the interior belongs to the neoclassical.
Louisburg Residential Palace
This palace, much smaller in size than the Residencial, is located in the middle of the quiet and extensive Favorite park, a place where in the past they were introduced various types of deer that still roam free , totally accustomed to human presence.
Crossing the entire park and walking a while longer, we end up at the third and last palace of Luisburgo. Its about Palacio Monrepos, a small construction -this time in rococo style- raised by a lake.
In addition to enjoying a walk around the water, you can rent a boat to row on the lake, and in summer, when the good weather arrives, concerts are organized.
Favorite Palace