Introduction

When it comes to lore, the Brothers Grimm are possibly the most influential creators with their many fairytale stories accounting for a majority of our childhood favorites. They are responsible for the likes of Hansel and Gretel, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, Sleeping Beauty, and more. What makes these tales all the more interesting is how deeply they are connected to German folklore. Now, what might surprise many is that these brothers aren’t actually considered writers per se  but instead cultural specialists. The Grimm brothers spent many years traveling throughout Germany collecting these tales from German commoners which were passed down from generation to generation with the intention of teaching important lessons to their kids. 

How might this all tie into a Sparked Travel Guide you might ask? Well, the famous Black Forest in Germany (Schwarzwald in German) serves as the setting for many of the Grimm fairy tales as well as other German folktales. This forest is known for its lush, dense green flora which blocks out sunlight giving the forest its name and the perfect eerie setting. This itinerary holds dear to me as it fills me with memories of my many visits to the Black Forest and even of that German Fairytales class I took while pursuing my undergraduate degree. So, I hope you find this day trip as enjoyable as I did!

Schwarzwald

The Black forest has been a German wanderlust staple for years with adventurers from all over the region entering the forest to escape and connect deeper with nature’s beauty. As travelers make their way through the woods they might even start to catch a glimpse of the little red riding hood herself. Our hike is in the Allerheiligen region of the Black Forest and can be found on the AllTrails app. The specific hike is titled Rund um Allerheiligen Wasserfälle und Schliffkopf. This is an eight mile loop where hikers will see waterfalls and the ruins of an old monastery. The abbey can be dated back to 1192 and saw its fair share of setbacks. The monastery had gone up in flames a handful of times over the years before the monks finally figured it was time to abandon all efforts to save this structure from bursting into flames. It’s almost as if the abbey’s fate was part of a Grimm’s tale. Walking the grounds surely creates an eerie feel with the aging ruins encircled by the dark green woods. This hike is the perfect way to kickstart your day and will have you feeling accomplished once you pass that finish line. 

Our next stop on this Black Forest adventure is just a short drive from the morning’s hike. Lake Mummelsee is the perfect spot to stretch the legs and revel in more of the lore these woodlands have to offer. This lake dates back to the Ice Age and over the years has picked up quite the reputation within German folklore. Villagers have said that this lake is home to water nymphs who bathe and enjoy the waters each night until their leader calls them back to the depths at first light. There is even a story of one of the nymphs falling in love with a young peasant man and each night they would meet. The peasant’s love and curiosity for the mysterious woman grew strong and he began to beg her to tell him who she was. The woman told him not to go searching for these answers for if he did, there would be dire consequences. He of course couldn’t resist. One night he secretly watched as she plunged into the waters. Suddenly, there was a cry of horror and the waters became violent. The peasant had realized his curiosity killed his lover and in despair he joined the very monastery at Allerheiligen. A story like that makes this lake too interesting to pass up. Stroll along the lakeshore where you will even spot the statue of the mystical nymph. 

Baden-Baden

As we wrap up our fantasy-filled Black Forest adventure with many steps under our belt it’s time to focus on total relaxation within this historic town. Baden-Baden has been known for its healing hot springs since Roman times and was recently crowned one of the great spa towns of Europe by UNESCO. Your body will surely thank you for this experience. The two main thermal bathing sites belong to Friedrichsbad and the Caracalla Spa both offering an experience of tranquility. Friedrichsbad is the more traditional approach, opening in 1877 but the waters have been used since the Romans. Caracalla Spa is the modern approach and is housed by a massive modern facility. So, the choice is more up to what interests you the most but either way travelers will enjoy the rehabilitating waters at either site. The town of Baden-Baden has a certain elegance surrounding it and if travelers so choose they should spend the night here. Travelers will wake up feeling refreshed and will have an opportunity to explore the other sites Baden-Baden has to offer such as its gorgeous gardens, eye-catching architecture, and maybe even a visit to its world-class casino.