Wunderhiking in the Black Forest -- You can see the loveliest parts of the Black Forest by hiking the ancient trail of the cuckoo clock traders. Really. The trail follows the route of the traders who, centuries ago, carried the famous Black Forest clocks across Europe. On the village-to-village journey, you pass through deep, fragrant pinewoods and sunny pastures where farmhouses are set scenically on hillsides.

The circle trail starts at Triberg, with its waterfalls. An arrangement with a series of hotels along the trail, beginning with the Parkhotel Wehrle , allows you to hike with only a small rucksack; vans haul your luggage on to the next hotel. You can hike from 1 to 10 days and more if you have the time (but most hikers have their fill long before this). Distances for a day's hike between hotels range from 20 to 27km (12-17 miles).

Clearly marked signs guide you across this easy trail, and the Parkhotel Wehrle provides a road map and detailed road descriptions (in English) to set you on your way. Restaurants and farmhouses offering food and refreshment are not far apart, and the area is quite safe, even for a woman walking alone.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.