Gernsbach can be hard to spot through all the trees. Deep in the northern Black Forest, the community prides itself on being one of the most heavily forested towns in Germany. So you’ll definitely feel a connection with nature here! :-)
Walking between attractions will give you the best impression of the town. Be sure to stop at the Old Town Hall, which has a unique sandstone front with a gable on the right hand side. Surrounded by well-preserved half-timber homes, it is considered a premier example of the Mannerism style.
Along with town structures, you will also find many hiking and trekking trails, and hidden away in the trees are lookout points and several hamlets. Gernsbach is surrounded by its municipal partners, Hilpertsau, Lautenbach, Obertsrot, Staufenberg, Scheuern, and Reichental, many of which are well-hidden in the woods.
If you don’t want to hike to see everything, you can climb up the Storchenturm or Stork’s Tower. The last of four original watchtowers for Gernsbach, it is located next to the Church of Our Lady, which is the tallest building in town. You can use it as a landmark, as it is visible from quite a distance.
For a bit of sweet relief after all of your hiking and climbing, you can pop open a bottle of the local wine. There are many vineyards around, with the largest being on the grounds of the Castle Eberstein. Since the main castle is now a hotel with an excellent cafe and wine list, you accomplish both sightseeing and drinking with one stop!
For entertainment, there is a robust local program of festivals. For example, a puppet week just before Easter, vintage car race in May, and the town festival days in September. Additionally, a model ship regatta, summer outdoor theater program, and a traditional Christmas market will add positiveness to your experience.
