Black Forest Sports and Recreation

Where Time Stands Still

If you love nature, you will absolutely adore the Black Forest in Germany. The land and villages look relatively unchanged, as if you've stepped back in time, and when you walk through the forest, you can get an insight into what ancient Germany might have been like. Some of the houses you'll find in the villages are over *three hundred years old.

Black Forest Germany is perhaps the best location for cross-country skiing. Discover over 600 miles of snowy trails through the woods and hills. There are even lit trails for those night owls that want to get in a run.

Hiking and Ski Trails

The most central town in the Black Forest is *Freudenstadt, which is the starting point for hundreds of miles of hiking and ski-trails through the nearby hills. Most visitors, however, prefer to find accommodation in guest lodges in the small villages sprinkled throughout the region, exploring by car, on foot or bicycle. See *German Resources Freudenstadt.

If you want a challenge, look for *Neustadt which boasts a great 60 mile trail.

You can find many miles of skiing treks. *Feldberg is the highest mountain in the area, and its 75 mile trail in the Black Forest is one of the most popular.

Sledding and Tobogganing

Need a break from skiing in Germany? Cozy up with a hot beverage in one of the many lodges in these resorts. If you'd rather stay outside you'll often find sledding and tobogganing. See *Black Forest Sports.

Stuttgart

Sitting near the *Neckar River and ringed by verdant forests and vineyards, Stuttgart is the capital of the state of Baden-Württemberg in south western Germany. The city's center rests comfortably in a valley and has a population of approximately a half million. Stuttgart is one of the best known and acclaimed German towns due to its cultural and economic importance.

Originally founded in the tenth century, Stuttgart previously was known by the name Stuttengarten ("mare garden") and was used as place for breeding horses for the Emperor's cavalry. It acquired its present name as an abbreviation of Stuttengarten. Later, Stuttgart gained prominence by becoming the residence of the dukes of Württemberg.

During World War II though, the center of the city was almost completely destroyed by air raids. After the war, the Marshall Plan merged the two states of Baden and Württemberg and declared Stuttgart as its capital.

The history of Stuttgart Germany hosts several important inventions. Two of these include the creation of the motorcycle, and the four-wheeled automobile.

The city was the start of the automotive industry and car manufacturing remains prominent in it today. Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Maybach are all made in Stuttgart. Additionally, the first design of the Volkswagen Beetle was produced there.

Further cementing Stuttgart's importance as an economic center is its stock exchange--it's the second largest in the nation behind *Frankfurt's. Also see *Freiburg,Germany. As a result of this, many important German companies keep their headquarters in Stuttgart.

But there's more to Stuttgart, both in history and in present times, than automobiles, and high tech industry. The city is famous for its culture and vineyards with a rich wine-making tradition.
See *Stuttgart Landmarks

Nature Abundant

Those that love red wine will find it here. Over half of the vineyards here contain red wine varieties. The rare "Trollinger," can be found here and hardly anywhere else. Full-bodied vintages are the norm with some light and fruity ones also available.

Parks and lakes, forests, fields, orchards and vineyards cover more than half the area within Stuttgart's city boundaries. Read more *Stuttgart Nature and Greenery