The Black Forest - Schwarzwald - is not only forest. It has an abundance of high meadows that stretch over hills and on sunny slopes. They are really warm spots in the summer where you can hang out, have a nice picnic and where you occasionally can find the Kreuzotter, the only poisonous snake in Germany. They are very shy - in 40 years I saw only one! The Black Forest has miles and miles of hiking trails, from easy strolling trails to highly strenuous ones. Many of them present you with gorgeous views, often you are able to see the Swiss Alps in the distance. When you're tired you'd stop at a restaurant and have a Radler - a mixture of beer and Sprite. I know it sounds horrible, but it actually is very tasty and just the right thing after a long hike when you're tired and thirsty.
Prost!
Christine has posted about her trip to the Rhine Valley on her blog - you can see her beautiful pictures here.
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