HIKING AND BIKING IN THE BLACK FOREST: 18 Walks and 5 Cycle Routes to Explore
Kat Morgenstern (£16.95, Cicerone)
The author’s current home is in the southern Black Forest, so this excellent guide certainly comes from first-hand knowledge of the region. This is a stunning part of Germany, picture-postcard in every sense, with its ancient castles and timber-frame buildings, forest-clad hills and flower-strewn meadows. For the outdoors enthusiast, an extensive network covers 24,000km of well-marked routes, criss-crossing the landscape with its unpretentious charm and sublime views. As Kat points out, a visit will not break the bank either, because contrary to popular belief, Germany is one of the least expensive countries in Western Europe, yet you can expect high standards of infrastructure, quality and service. This guide offers 15 day walks, three multi-stage treks, four day-long cycle routes and the Southern Black Forest Cycle Trail, which makes a circuit of the southern Black Forest without too much effort. The routes are illustrated with original, detailed contour mapping, and the guide is packed with practical information on local facilities and transport options.
