Black Forest, Titisee & Rhine Falls Day Trip from Zurich

The Black Forest

The Black Forest, or Schwarzwald, is a wooded mountain range in south-west Germany, named for its dark fir and spruce forests. It has long been associated with fairy tales, hiking trails, spa towns and traditional crafts, above all the cuckoo clock, which developed here in the eighteenth century.

Your coach drives from Zurich into the region, past Lake Schluchsee and small villages such as Lenzkirch, with a guide explaining the landscape and local traditions. If you are planning a Black Forest day trip from Zurich, this is the easiest way to see the area's scenery without driving and to cross the border without any hassle.

Titisee and the cuckoo clocks

Titisee is a glacial lake at around 850 metres in the Black Forest, with a lakeside promenade and a small town of cafés and souvenir shops. It is one of the most popular destinations in the region, and its most famous product is the cuckoo clock.

On the trip you receive a short introduction to how the clocks are made and how the cuckoo is made to sing, then have free time to explore the town, walk along the water, or buy a boat ride, which is not included. Titisee is a very pleasant place for a lakeside stroll, and a slice of Black Forest cake is a classic treat.

The Rhine Falls

The Rhine Falls, near Schaffhausen in northern Switzerland, is the largest plain waterfall in Europe, about 150 metres wide and around 23 metres high, and it is loud, misty and dramatic. It formed after the last Ice Age, and it carries an enormous volume of water, especially in early summer.

You have free time to walk to the viewing platforms, watch the water thunder past the rock in the middle of the river, and take photographs. Boat trips to the rock are available, but they are not included in the tour. The Rhine Falls is a very popular day trip from Zurich, and it is easy to see why.

Planning your day trip and border crossing

Because the Black Forest is in Germany, you should carry your passport or ID card, even though border checks are usually minimal. The tour starts and ends near Zurich main station, so it is very easy to reach from central hotels.

The best time to visit is from late spring to autumn, when the forests are green or golden and the Rhine Falls is at full strength. In winter the forest is very atmospheric but colder, and some services are reduced. Bring a jacket, comfortable shoes and cash or a card for your own food, souvenirs and optional boat rides.