Titisee and Schluchsee: The Best Day Trips from Feldberg
Both lakes are 15 to 20 minutes by car from Feldberg and are worth it for different things: Titisee is the lively strolling and boating lake with a promenade, shops and the Badeparadies next door. Schluchsee is the larger, quieter one — and the one you may swim in almost anywhere. If you want both, do Schluchsee in the morning.
At a glance
- Titisee
- Lively — promenade, shops, boats, Badeparadies next door
- Schluchsee
- Largest lake in the Black Forest — quieter, more expansive, sportier
- Swimming
- Allowed almost everywhere at Schluchsee
- From Feldberg
- Titisee about 15, Schluchsee about 20 minutes by car
- If it rains
- Badeparadies Schwarzwald, open in every season
Two lakes, one perfect holiday day
If you are staying at Feldberg, two of the Black Forest’s most famous lakes are practically on your doorstep: Titisee and Schluchsee. Both are reachable within 15 to 20 minutes by car, and both are worth a visit — though in quite different ways. Titisee is lively, touristy, and full of atmosphere. Schluchsee is quieter, more expansive, and ideal for those who prefer a more relaxed pace.
Here is an honest overview of what both lakes have to offer and how to plan your day out.
Titisee — the postcard motif
Getting there from Feldberg
Titisee lies about 10 kilometers east of Feldberg. Via the B317, the drive takes around 15 minutes. There are several car parks in Titisee-Neustadt; most are paid and charged per day — the current rates are posted on the machine. In summer and on public holidays it can get busy — all the more reason to set off early.
Boat trip on Titisee
The classic activity at Titisee is a boat trip. Pedal boats and rowing boats are rented at several stations along the lakeside — charged per boat and per half hour started, not per person; the current rates are posted at the rental station. For a more relaxed experience, take the round trip on the excursion boat run by Titisee-Schifffahrt — about 25 minutes, during which you can enjoy the lake from the water while the captain shares a few stories about the region.
Seestrasse — strolling and souvenirs
The Seestrasse along the northern shore is the main tourist strip. Souvenir shops line the street selling cuckoo clocks, Black Forest ham, and Kirschwasser. It is unmistakably touristy, but in a charming way. A few stops are worth making: the Drubba cuckoo clock workshop (you can watch the clocks being made), the Confiserie am See for handmade pralines, and of course at least one slice of Black Forest gateau.
Badeparadies Schwarzwald
Right on the edge of Titisee-Neustadt lies the Badeparadies Schwarzwald — a huge water park with a palm tree oasis, wave pool, slides, and a generous sauna area. On rainy days or in winter, it is the perfect alternative to the lake. The palm tree oasis has tropical temperatures and is excellent for families, while the Galaxy slide area is aimed more at older children and teenagers.
Schluchsee — the quiet giant
Getting there from Feldberg
Schluchsee is about 20 minutes east of Feldberg by car. The route via the B500 and then the L170 runs through forest and is scenic in its own right. In the town of Schluchsee there is ample parking, which is also paid in summer.
Lido and swimming
Schluchsee is the largest lake in the Black Forest — and unlike Titisee, swimming is allowed almost everywhere here. The Strandbad Schluchsee (Aqua Fun) has a shallow entry area, sunbathing lawns, a diving tower, and a kiosk. The water is clear but fresh — typical of a reservoir at 930 meters elevation. In high summer, the water temperature reaches about 20 to 22 degrees Celsius, which most people find refreshing (and not cold).
SUP, kayak, and water sports
Schluchsee has become one of the most popular SUP spots in the Black Forest in recent years. Stand-up paddle boards, kayaks, and canoes can be rented directly at the lake. Especially in the morning, when the lake is mirror-smooth, a SUP tour is a real experience. Courses are also available for beginners.
Dam wall and lake circuit trail
Schluchsee is a reservoir, and the dam wall at the western end is worth a walk — if only for the view across the entire lake. If you have more time, you can hike the complete lake circuit: about 18 kilometers, relatively flat, with changing perspectives on the lake and the surrounding forests. The train can also shorten the route — the Dreiseenbahn stops at several stations around the lake.
Eating at the lake — a few honest recommendations
At Titisee, the dining scene ranges from tourist traps to solid restaurants. The Alemannische Stube on the Seestrasse offers good regional cuisine at reasonable prices. If you like fish, try the Felchen — a freshwater whitefish that traditionally comes from the lake (though it is mostly farmed these days).
At Schluchsee, the selection is smaller but more authentic. The Gasthaus Unterkrummenhof between Schluchsee and Aha serves hearty Black Forest food in a rustic setting — Schaufele, Bragele, and Black Forest gateau that actually earns the name.
As a general rule: eating away from the main promenades means lower prices and often better food.
Summer vs. winter — when is each lake at its best?
In summer (June to September), both lakes are at their best. Titisee thrives on its atmosphere — boat trips, eating ice cream, strolling along the Seestrasse. Schluchsee is the better choice for swimming and water sports. If you want to fit both into one day: Schluchsee in the morning (swimming, SUP), Titisee in the afternoon (browsing, coffee).
In autumn, the Schluchsee circuit trail is particularly rewarding when the foliage changes colour. Titisee has less foot traffic then, which makes it more pleasant than in high summer.
In winter, Titisee occasionally freezes over — a rare natural spectacle that only happens in particularly cold winters. The Badeparadies is open year-round and becomes the main attraction in winter. At Schluchsee, winter walks along the shore are appealing, but water sports naturally take a break.
Centrally located at Feldberg — short distances to both lakes
The great advantage of accommodation right at Feldberg: you are exactly in the middle. Titisee and Schluchsee are each reachable in about fifteen minutes, the ski area is on your doorstep, and the entire Upper Black Forest region fans out in every direction.
Our holiday apartments at Black Forest Dream offer the ideal base — with free parking, a fully equipped kitchen for provisions on the go, and self check-in so your day can start as early as you like.
Frequently asked questions about Titisee and Schluchsee
Can you combine Titisee and Schluchsee in one day?
Yes, and that is even the most sensible order: Schluchsee in the morning for swimming or a SUP session, Titisee in the afternoon for strolling and coffee. From Feldberg each of the two lakes is roughly a quarter of an hour to twenty minutes away, so both fit comfortably into one day. Setting off early also avoids the full car parks at Titisee.
Which of the two lakes can you swim in?
Swimming is allowed almost everywhere in Schluchsee — it is the largest lake in the Black Forest, and the Strandbad Schluchsee (Aqua Fun) adds a shallow entry, sunbathing lawns, a diving tower and a kiosk. Swimming at Titisee is possible in high summer too, but not everywhere along the shore; Titisee is above all the strolling and boating lake. If you are planning a swimming day, go to Schluchsee.
What boat trips are there on Titisee?
Two options. Pedal boats and rowing boats are rented at several stations directly on the lakeside — charged per boat and per half hour started, not per person. If you would rather be taken along, there is the round trip on the excursion boat run by Titisee-Schifffahrt, which shows you the lake from the water while the captain shares stories about the region. Current rates and departures are posted at the rental station and at the pier.
What is there to do at the lakes in the rain or in winter?
The Badeparadies Schwarzwald on the edge of Titisee-Neustadt is open in every season and becomes the main attraction in winter — a palm oasis for families, a slide area for older children, and a large sauna area. At Schluchsee, winter walks along the shore stay rewarding while water sports naturally pause. And in particularly cold winters Titisee occasionally freezes over — a rare spectacle you cannot plan around.
Do you need a car for a day trip to the lakes?
No. Both lakes sit on the Dreiseenbahn: the line links Titisee via Feldberg-Bärental with Seebrugg at Schluchsee and stops at several stations around Schluchsee. From Feldberg that puts each of the two lakes within reach without a car, and it saves you hunting for a parking space on hot summer days. Current timetables are on bahn.de.
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