Hello from Europe! After six months in Thailand, I am back in the fields of Germany, wearing my winter coats. Last year, after my escape from Spain, I based myself south of Nuremberg, in the little town of Dietfurt. This time, I have chosen Oberkirch, a small town on the edge of the famous Schwarzwald, or Black Forest Germany.
Surrounded by beautiful vineyards and plenty of hiking trails, it feels like the perfect place for my next adventure. Not to mention lots of new opportunities for cycling in Schwarzwald.
Read more about Dietfurt here: My summer in Bavaria – best of the best
The best part is that the French border and one of my favourite cities in France, Strasbourg, are just next door. Although I still have to wait until I am “officially” allowed to cross the border and get my croissant! It’s easy to see why the area of Black Forest Germany is so popular.
Until then, there is plenty to do in the Black Forest Germany. I can explore the many hiking paths through the countryside, go cycling in the Schwarzwald and walk up to Schauenburg Castle in Oberkirch, just to name a few things.
That said, the weather is testing my patience at the moment, though. There are far too many cold and rainy days for my liking. Especially after coming back from Phuket.
Nevertheless, I adore this part of Black Forest Germany, especially its pretty, half-timbered, gingerbread-style houses. So cute! And cycling in Schwarzwald is certainly fun.
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Black Forest Germany
With its dense forests and pretty half-timbered houses, this region certainly feels like the setting of a Brothers Grimm fairy tale. Hansel and Gretel, Rapunzel or Sleeping Beauty, take your pick! Awesome!
When the sun finally appears, the scenery around Oberkirch is absolutely breathtaking. The countryside is filled with strawberry fields and flowering fruit trees. It is wonderful to see spring in Black Forest Germany in all its glory.
Did you know that the Romans reportedly called the dense woodland “silva nigra”, meaning “black forest” (Schwarzwald)?
I am especially excited to see the vineyards turn green and fill with grapes later in the season. They will make the landscape even more beautiful. Let’s go cycling though!
My plans for Europe
Between settling in, cycling in the Schwarzwald and exploring the area on foot, there are plenty of things to discover and do here in the German countryside, especially for an outdoor person like me.
So, what are my plans for summer 2021 in Europe? Well, there is a wedding in Poland. After all, it has been a while since the last one! You can read about it here.
And how about cycling along the Rhine River? Perhaps 1,400 km towards Rotterdam? At least that would be considerably shorter than my 2,600 km cycling trip from the Czech Republic to Spain two years ago. Read: Cycling the Main River – off to Spain!
Instead of cycling through the Pyrenees mountains again, perhaps I could hike them this year? That would certainly be something different. There is also so much more of France to explore. After learning French for four years, I really need to practise it!
Either way, as you can see, there is plenty to do here. Stay tuned!
Afterword: And who would have thought that the Black Forest Germany would become my home and cycling in Schwarzwald an almost daily activity! I absolute love this part of Germany and I am glad I came here originally to explore this beautiful area.
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