Black Forest with Kids Under 5: A Practical Family Guide

Travelling to the Black Forest with small children — does it work?

Yes. Not just “works”, but “works really well”. The High Black Forest is one of the few holiday regions in Germany where families with children under five can genuinely move around in a relaxed way — short distances, plenty of nature, child-friendly infrastructure, and a climate that stays comfortable even in high summer.

That goes double for the area around Feldberg. The mountain climate stays cooler than the valleys even during heatwaves — ideal for children who overheat quickly. And the highest point reaches 1,493 metres: well away from city noise, but without having to drive all the way to the Alps.

We give an honest overview of what realistically works on a Black Forest holiday with under-fives, and what is better skipped.

Pram-friendly trails around Feldberg

Not every hiking trail in the Black Forest works with a pram — many paths are narrow, root-laced, or steep. But there are several genuinely good routes that work with a pushchair:

• Feldberg summit circuit (Gipfelrundweg) (5.78 km, about 2.5 hours, easy) — accessible and pushchair-friendly according to Hochschwarzwald Tourismus. It starts with a Feldbergbahn ride to the Seebuck station and leads along the Franz-Klarmeyer-Weg to the summit.
• Windgfällweiher — a loop at the lake between Feldberg and Schluchsee. In summer, the quieter alternative to Titisee.
• Titisee promenade — fully paved, with ice cream parlours, toilets, and playgrounds along the way. A classic morning out.
• Schluchsee promenade — similar but less touristy.
• Wichtelpfad at Feldberg — 1.8 km, a good 2 hours, easy, ends at a playground; not pushchair-friendly, so carry the little ones in a carrier.

What does not work: the path from the Parkhaus Feldberg to the Feldsee — not suitable for pushchairs according to the Raimartihof —, the Feldbergsteig and the Zastler Loch. These routes are great, but definitely not for prams.

Tip: If you mostly stick to such trails, a normal buggy is enough. For more off-road capability, a sturdy jogger or a pushchair with air tyres pays off — especially after rain, when even the good trails get a bit muddy.

Sling or carrier? An honest assessment

For hikes off the main trails, a child carrier (Kraxe-style backpack) is worth its weight in gold. Models from Deuter, Osprey, or Vaude work well for children from about 6 months to about 3 years — as long as they weigh under 18 kg.

For shorter distances or with a baby under 6 months, a good sling or comfort carrier (Manduca, Ergobaby) is perfectly enough. At the viewpoints on the Seebuck or Feldberg summit, we have often seen parents with babies in slings — it all works if you adjust your pace.

Safe swimming spots for toddlers

Titisee and Schluchsee are about 15 minutes away by car from our apartments.

Naturstrandbad Seebrugg (Schluchsee)

At the Schluchsee there is the Naturstrandbad at Seebrugg: an enclosed bathing area with lake access, sunbathing lawn, kiosk, showers and WC, and a children’s playground. There is also the aqua fun outdoor pool, whose operating status you should check with the municipality of Schluchsee before you go. Admission and age limits are set by each operator.

Badestelle Titisee

The Badestelle Titisee has a sunbathing lawn, toilets and changing rooms, and a children’s paddling pool. It is operated with no water supervision, so bathing is at your own risk — never let toddlers out of your sight.

Badeparadies Schwarzwald (indoor)

In cool weather or rain, the Badeparadies in Titisee-Neustadt is an alternative: it is open 365 days a year and consists of the areas Galaxy Schwarzwald, Palmenoase and Saunawelt. Which areas suit toddlers is best checked with the operator beforehand.

What does not work

Swimming in the Feldsee is generally forbidden (nature reserve). With toddlers, it is best to swim only at designated bathing spots.

Breastfeeding and emergencies

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding in public is relaxed in the Black Forest — we have never experienced negative reactions. On the viewpoint benches at Feldberg, in cafes, on the promenades: just do it. A light blanket or breastfeeding scarf helps on windier days at the summit.

Emergencies

In an emergency, call 112. Before arrival: save emergency numbers and look up the nearest paediatric practice and a clinic with a paediatric department.

A daily schedule with toddlers

What works for us in practice:

• Morning: One activity — hike, swim, or excursion. Maximum 3 hours, with a snack break.
• Lunch: Back to the apartment. Lunch in your own kitchen (this is gold), then nap.
• Afternoon: Something quieter — playground, ice cream, short walk.
• Evening: Eat in the apartment again, early to bed. Mountain air makes you tired — even the parents.

The biggest mistake with toddlers on holiday is over-programming. Better one good thing per day than three half ones.

Frequently asked questions about the Black Forest with kids under 5

Which trails around Feldberg work with a pram?

According to Hochschwarzwald Tourismus, the accessible Feldberg summit circuit (Gipfelrundweg, 5.78 km, about 2.5 hours, easy) is pushchair-friendly; it starts with a Feldbergbahn ride. Add to that the loop at the Windgfällweiher and the promenades at Titisee and Schluchsee. What does not work with a pram: the path from the Parkhaus Feldberg to the Feldsee (according to the Raimartihof), the Wichtelpfad (use a carrier there), the Feldbergsteig and the Zastler Loch — great routes, but not with a buggy.

Sling or backpack carrier — what is worth taking with toddlers?

As a rule of thumb: under six months a good sling or comfort carrier is the right choice, after that a framed child carrier becomes more practical — up to the weight limit the manufacturer states. On the surfaced trails the pushchair is enough anyway; the carrier earns its place on everything off them.

Where can toddlers swim safely at Feldberg?

At the Schluchsee, the Naturstrandbad at Seebrugg is a good choice: an enclosed bathing area with lake access, sunbathing lawn, kiosk, showers and WC, and a children’s playground. The Badestelle Titisee has a children’s paddling pool but is operated with no water supervision — bathing is at your own risk. In cool weather the Badeparadies Schwarzwald in Titisee-Neustadt, with Galaxy Schwarzwald, Palmenoase and Saunawelt, is an alternative. Swimming in the Feldsee is forbidden.

What does a realistic day with toddlers look like?

One activity in the morning, three hours at most, with a snack break. Back to the apartment at midday, eat there and nap. Something quieter in the afternoon — playground, ice cream, a short walk. Eat in the apartment again in the evening and go to bed early; mountain air makes you tired, parents included. The most common mistake is over-programming: better one good thing a day than three half ones.

What does a holiday apartment need to work with small children?

A fully equipped kitchen, so baby food and porridge can be prepared without a foreign restaurant kitchen, and a separate sleeping area, so the children can go to bed early without ending the parents’ evening. Add parking right at the building for car seats, buggy and carrier, and an arrival without reception stress. That is exactly how our apartments at Feldberg are laid out.

Why a holiday apartment with small children is almost mandatory

With a hotel room, a family holiday with two small children quickly becomes a logistics exercise. Where to change? Where to warm the bottle? Where do the children sleep when the parents are still awake? In a holiday apartment, these questions solve themselves.

In our apartments at Black Forest Dream there is:

• Fully equipped kitchen — warm baby food, cook porridge, prepare snacks without a foreign restaurant kitchen
• Separate sleeping area — children can sleep early, parents still have their evening
• Self check-in — arrive after the nap, without reception stress with tired children
• Free parking right at the building — child car seats, buggy, baby carrier: everything stowed in two minutes
• Pet-friendly — the family dog is welcome too
• No staircase traps — apartment layout without risky spots for walking two-year-olds

Apartment 1 with terrace or Apartment 10 with two bedrooms are particularly suitable for families. Both offer enough space that everyone has their own area — which can become the deciding variable after three days of bad weather.

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