Bernau in the Black Forest: Nature, Art and Tradition

You can get to know Bernau in the Black Forest through its nature, art and local traditions. The nature adventure trail combines play, storytelling and information; permanent exhibitions introduce the painters Hans Thoma and Karl Hauptmann. There are also recurring events in August and a custom during Carnival week.

Nature and cross-country skiing nearby

The nature adventure trail in Bernau in the Black Forest has 15 play, storytelling and information stations for the whole family. This combination offers different ways to experience nature and invites you to explore nature-related topics together in a variety of ways. For families, the trail is a specific excursion highlight alongside the town’s cultural events. When planning your stay, you can consider how much space to give the nature adventure trail in your itinerary.

A different highlight lies nearby: the Rot-Kreuz cross-country skiing centre is in a side valley in the highlands between Bernau in the Black Forest and Todtmoos. This adds a cross-country skiing destination in the area around your holiday destination to consider. Skiing conditions depend on the season, so check them before planning an excursion. Unlike the cultural events, these conditions are a separate factor to consider when planning.

Art and events in Bernau

Bernau celebrates Hans-Thoma-Tag every year on the second weekend in August. On the third weekend in August, the town hosts the Holzschneflertage and a nature park market. The two weekends take place one after the other and offer different reasons to visit in August. The exact dates and programme may vary from year to year. If you want to plan your trip around one of the festivals, check the latest schedule before deciding when to travel.

Art also connects Bernau to its history. A permanent exhibition in a museum displays around 50 works by the painter Hans Thoma (1839–1924), who was born in Bernau. A smaller permanent exhibition in a museum is dedicated to the Black Forest landscape painter Karl Hauptmann (1880–1947) and displays 14 of his paintings. The exhibitions have different focuses: Hans Thoma is represented by around 50 works, while Karl Hauptmann is represented by 14 paintings. You can encounter a painter born in Bernau and an artist of Black Forest landscape painting in two distinct collections.

Throughout Carnival week, people from Bernau gather from around 6 p.m. on the slopes above their districts. This gives Carnival week its own place in the calendar alongside the August events. If you are considering travelling at this time, check the current local programme. These gatherings offer another reason to consider more than just the summer events when choosing when to travel.

When to travel and where to stay in Bernau

The nature trail and permanent exhibitions offer different experiences. Base your search on the experiences that matter most to you, and check which location suits your planned stay.

In the wider Waldshut destination area, the ferry connection between Waldshut and Switzerland dates back more than 600 years. For travellers who also want to include regional history in their plans, this long historical connection offers another point of interest.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Altenrond, Wutach, Stühlingen, Laufenburg, Waldshut-Tiengen, Bad Säckingen, Sankt Blasien, Albbruck

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