Pure nature!
Furtwangen is exactly what comes to mind when you think of the Black Forest − pure unspoiled nature. Here you're surrounded by dense forests, clear streams and long hiking trails. There are countless leisure opportunities, especially in the great outdoors. Whether skiing, cross-country skiing, ski jumping in winter, mountain biking in summer, or simply gazing into the distance at the nearest mountain peak −the perfect balance to everyday study or working life is waiting right on your doorstep!
For students, the university's many leisure and sports clubs also offer a wide range of opportunities. And excursion destinations in the surrounding area and beyond are also within easy reach here in the “border triangle” − whether it's to medieval Villingen, to Freiburg, the main town of the Breisgau region, to Basel in Switzerland or across the Rhine to Alsace, everything is close by making for some great day trips!
Black Forest dreamland
We live where others go on holiday. The Black Forest offers a wealth of activities that are fun not only for guests but also for locals. On the External link opens in a new window:www.hochschwarzwald.de website you will find a large selection of current events and great tips for the region!
Free time activities – for free
- Join a club or set up your own over the Student Union (AStA). There are various sports clubs such as badminton and volleyball as well as many other leisure activities such as e-games, drone racing, dancing and billiards. (External link opens in a new window:HFU clubs website)
- Get to know students from all over the world in the International Student Community (ISC). (ISC Facebook page) (External link opens in a new window:ISC Facebook page)
- Take part in the International Festival on the market square, organised by HFU students.
- Hike to the tower on the Brend and enjoy a fantastic view over the Black Forest. (External link opens in a new window:Views and webcam of the Brendturm)
- Walk through a winter wonderland in the Black Forest. (External link opens in a new window:Winter hiking trails)
- Climbing the huge granite boulders of the Gunterfelsen. (External link opens in a new window:Photos of the Gunterfelsen)
- Hiking to the source of the Danube, the second longest river in Europe. (External link opens in a new window:Video of a student hike)
- Hiking around the External link opens in a new window:Linach reservoir.
- Taking a tour of the German Clock Museum, a well-known tourist attraction right next to the university. Admission is free with the HFU card. You can even earn some money by offering guided tours in English, French or Spanish. (External link opens in a new window:German Clock Museum website)
Free time activities - for a limited budget
- Buy regional products at the weekly market
- Hire an e-bike and go on a tour through the Black Forest (The best mountain tours in the Black Forest)
- Try out one of the popular winter sports. The surrounding mountains with their ski lifts are ideal for beginners (cross-country skiing, downhill skiing & snowboarding, or sledging). For more experienced skiers there is the Feldberg ski area, only a 30-minute drive away. (External link opens in a new window:Feldberg ski area)
- Celebrate the traditional Furtwangen Fasnet (carnival)
- Take the panorama bus to Triberg or to Ttisee-Neustadt, two of the most popular tourist destinations in the Black Forest. (Top 10 things to do in Triberg), (Titisee-Neustadt tourist information)
- Form a carpool and explore the area with a low ecological footprint
Free time activities - for those with some spare time and cash
- Go skiing on the Feldberg or try a snowshoe hike. (External link opens in a new window:Skiing on the Feldberg)and (Snowshoeing in the Black Forest)
- Enjoy the many music festivals in summer, such as the Southside Festival and Honbergsommer (Tuttlingen) or the Zelt Musik Festival in Freiburg.
- Take a trip on the historic Sauschwänzlebahn steam train.
- Visit Germany's highest waterfalls in Triberg. (Triberg waterfalls)
- Take a romantic horse-drawn carriage ride in summer or a horse-drawn sleigh ride in winter.
- Try a tandem parachute jump at Schwenningen airfield.
- Spend a relaxing day in one of the region's fun thermal baths; student discounts are available here. (External link opens in a new window:Thermal baths in the Black Forest) or (Thermal baths on Lake Constance)
- Mingle with the rich and famous in Baden-Baden with its upmarket stores, thermal waters and casino. (Baden-Baden video)
- Rent a car and drive to Lake Constance. (10 things to do at Lake Constance)
- Cheer on the Schwenninger Wild Wings, who play in the German National Ice Hockey League
- Take a train to Stuttgart, Freiburg, Strasbourg, Zurich for a day trip. (Videos of Stuttgart, Freiburg, Zürich and Straßburg)
- Visit Europapark in Rust, one of the most famous amusement parks in Germany.
- Visit a fairytale castle in the area, e.g. Sigmaringen or Hohenzollern.