Weekend trip with wellness in the thermal baths in the Northern Black Forest

“Bad-Teinach Neubulach” announces the tinny loudspeaker announcement. For a moment we are irritated. “Is this our station?” A check on Google Maps confirms the assumption. This is the only train station near Bad Teinach. And that’s where we want to go. We almost started our weekend trip to the Northern Black Forest in the pampas. The short adrenaline rush is not a big deal. In the next two days, there will be plenty of time to slow down.

Black Forest happiness at the Hotel Therme Bad Teinach

The fact that we were right with our decision to get out is confirmed by the sight of our pick-up service. Punctual to the timetable, our host – the Hotel Therme Bad Teinach – is waiting for us at the train station, which is 4 kilometres from the town centre. Up to this point, the journey by train from Zurich via Schaffhausen has been uncomplicated and entertaining. Travel time just under three hours. In my opinion, the most stylish way to get to the nature park and a region classified as a “sustainable destination”.

The starting point for our discovery tour through the Northern Black Forest is the stately grounds of the Hotel Therme Bad Teinach. The construction of the bathhouse with drinking hall and hotel was initiated by King Wilhelm I of Württemberg in the 19th century. However, the healing effect of the spring water of Bad Teinach attracted nobles as early as the 17th century. Since this early summer, a fresh wind has been blowing through the venerable facility. After an extensive renovation phase, the spa was reopened, including additional hotel rooms. From a purely external point of view, the new building fits perfectly into the historic complex with its park turnaround. Inside, the new building presents itself as youthfully fresh. The old part of the building inspires us with its magnificent staircase and in our room in the new thermal wing we first sniff the pleasant scent of Swiss pine. The wooden floor, the light basic tones with purposefully placed colour accents and the historical unique pieces create a harmonious overall picture. We immediately feel at ease.

Nature on the hotel’s doorstep

And although the deck chair on the balcony tempts us to do nothing, we resist the temptation. After all, there is a lot to discover around the thermal baths. Entertaining hiking routes start directly at the hotel, which lead right through the Teinachtal. For example, up to Zavelstein or around Bad-Teinach – where you can find out on the way why there is a deer statue in the Kurparksee.

For the sake of our growling stomachs, we choose the direttissima to the Schlossberghütte. At least that’s what we think, and we are horrified to discover that we actually set off 180 degrees upside down. To do this, we hike through a fairytale forest and finally find the right turn-off to the Schlossberghütte. We definitely deserve the Maultaschen.

Back in Teinach we visit the Bad Teinacher noodle factory. Dietrich Morlok has over 100 types of homemade pasta on offer. In addition, there are fresh bread specialties, chocolate creations and the muesli bar, which is known far beyond the borders of the Black Forest. Despite his success, he remains modest. Customer contact and the daily work with high-quality products are more important to him than growth at the expense of quality.

Mit ZOE into the wild

The next morning we are up early. Not because we slept badly. On the contrary. I would have liked to stay longer. But we really wanted to capture the morning mood in the Kaltenbronn high moor. For guests who, like us, arrive without a car, the Tourismus GmbH Northern Black Forest has Zoe on offer. Zoe is a sleek electric car that amazes at first glance with an almost silent driving experience. The rental price for one day is 19 euros! Awesome, isn’t it?

Despite all the euphoria, Zoe worries us after just a few kilometers of driving. We started with a range of 100 kilometers and when we reach our destination Kaltenbronn after 30 kilometers, the range is only 30 kilometers. Before we take care of Zoe’s battery, let’s charge ours first. And with pure nature. Unfortunately, the foehn has blown away the hoped-for ground fog, but the hike over Germany’s largest natural high moor area inspires us. We fortify ourselves with a huge blueberry pancake in the well-known Grünhütte and then make a detour to the treetop walk on the Sonnenberg near Bad Wildbad. Our gaze wanders from treetop to treetop to the horizon. Colorful leaves as far as the eye can see. You can quickly descend to Bad Wildbad with the Sonnenbergbahn.

Back from Sonnenberg we have to take care of Zoe’s batteries. They have recovered from the cold shock in the early morning and show a range of 50 kilometres again – but better safe than sorry. After a good half an hour of charging at a fast-charging station at Calmbach station, Zoe has enough juice again for a spin to Nagold. The small town is located south of Bad Teinach and offers a charming, clear pedestrian zone with nice shops and cafés.

Recharge your batteries at the Bad Teinach thermal spa

After a good 20 kilometres of hiking, we have earned the relaxing moments in the Bad Teinach thermal spa at the end of the day. The complex with spacious outdoor and indoor pool, fire pool, spring water basin and Black Forest sauna in a log cabin is simply fantastic. For hotel guests, it also has a separate panorama spa. We let ourselves be enveloped by the steam clouds and glide through the warm healing water.

… and be amazed

We’ll take it easy on Sunday. After we left the lecture without breakfast with Zoe, we try our way through the delicacies of the breakfast buffet today. Afterwards we make our way to the center of the German jewelry and watch industry. In 2017, Pforzheim celebrates its 250th anniversary as the city of gold. On this day, we are interested in a newer figurehead. The world’s largest 360-degree panorama by the artist Yadegar Asisi, which has been on display in the redesigned Gasometer since December 2014. The current panorama “Rome 312” shows ancient Rome at the time of Emperor Constantine. Impressive! Impossible to process all the visual impressions the first time. I can well understand why people buy a season ticket and visit the Panorama regularly. Without a doubt, you will discover exciting image details every time.

The eventful weekend trip to the Northern Black Forest is over in no time. The Northern Black Forest offers a wealth of nature experiences off the beaten track and Bad Teinach is a wonderful place to relax. The driving experience with Zoe was also exciting for me – if the parking spaces in Zurich weren’t so expensive, I would seriously consider buying one.

Practical tips about the Hotel Therme Bad Teinach

• Overnight stay incl. breakfast in a classic double room Thermenflügel from 165 Euro/night
• Half board with 4-course menus per person and day 28 Euro
• The mineral spa in Bad Teinach is also open to non-hotel guests (entrance fee 15 euros)
• Currently, Tourismus GmbH offers an e-mobile package for 39 euros (2 days electric car rental incl. entrance tickets to the treetop walk and the gasometer as well as to selected thermal baths).
• The treetop walk is barrier-free and suitable as an excursion destination for families
• The hiking offer is huge (and sometimes you can’t see the forest for the trees …). You can find more route tips for the Northern Black Forest here
• The nearby Hermann Hesse town of Calw is also worth a detour

I was invited to this stay by the Hotel Therme Bad Teinach and the Tourismus GmbH Nördlicher Schwarzwald. Thank you very much! All impressions and opinions are, as always, ours.