10 Best Things To Do in Triberg, Germany

Set in the Baden-Württemberg area, Triberg im Schwarzwald is the heart of Germany’s Black Forest — a region brimming with charisma.

However, mix its fantastical forests with the whimsical world of cuckoo clocks, and it transforms into an even more captivating realm. Our guide, rooted in personal experiences, lays out the top ten best things to do in Triberg, ensuring you soak in every bit of its unique charm.

Cuckoo clocks, waterfalls and a scenic railway, are just some of what to do in Triberg.

We stopped in Triberg when we motorhomed through Germany on our European road trip and were enthralled and curious about its cuckoo clock fame.

[Note: Some of the links in this post will take you to a page written in German. To translate, right-click on the option ‘translate to English’] 

Map: Things To Do in Triberg

How to Use This Triberg Map

1. To use this interactive map effectively, click the square icon in the upper right corner to expand.
2. A key will appear on the left, guiding you through various locations.
3. Clicking on any site reveals detailed information about that spot.
4. Green markers (🟢) represent attractions
5. Purple markers (🟣) represent hiking trails
6. Red markers (🔴) represent parking

Best Things To Do in Triberg

Wondering what to do in Triberg? Here is the ultimate guide to the town’s top attractions and experiences, perfect for making your visit truly memorable:

1. House Of A Thousand Clocks

The House of a Thousand Clocks is a family-run business that started in 1881 in a small workshop in the nearby, small village of Gremmelsbach.

Outside the shop, you cannot miss Triberg’s ‘Tribears Musical Family‘, and every 15 minutes, you’ll see the action happening. The cuckoo pops out on the hour and every half-hour.  

Step inside, and you enter the world of the cuckoo clock. Here, you’ll find cuckoo clocks from traditional to modern-day versions and everything in between.

You will also find the World’s Most Exclusive Cuckoo Clock made with 617 Swarovski crystals and making it involved 215 hours of hand carving.

This cuckoo clock includes a few 24-karat plated bears and two crystal pandas. It costs a whopping €22,900 … but you do get free shipping;)

There are so many types Types of Cuckoo Clocks made in Triberg. They are even made with certain themes in mind:

• 💐 Cuckoo clocks with forest and nature scenes
• 🧚‍♀️ Cuckoo clocks with magical fairy tale scenes
• 🏹 Cuckoo clocks with hunting scenes
• 🌳 Cuckoo clocks with Black Forest Lifestyle
• 💋 Cuckoo clocks featuring special moments (kissing, wedding theme and lots more)

Triberg House of a Thousand Clocks Video

Here’s a video snippet from the House of a Thousand Clocks in Triberg.

More About Triberg Cuckoo Clocks

Most of the cuckoo clock makers in the Triberg area are family-run businesses that have continued the tradition down through the last five generations.

The intricate and detailed tradition of carving these impressive timepieces began around the 1880s. Local farmers spent the long winter nights carving the clocks to earn extra money.

Today, the Black Forest is famed for producing some of the best cuckoo clocks in the world.  

Whether you are enchanted by the cuckoo clock or simply see it as a kitsch relic of rural Germany, expert craftsmanship is undeniable. 

I am enchanted by these miniature houses with musical dancing figurines, kissing couples and the appearance of the cute little cuckoo marking the hour.

Interestingly, the cuckoo came about by accident.

The story goes that a clockmaker wanted to produce the cockerel noise of ‘cock a doodle doo‘, but the only resulting noise he could engineer was the cuckoo noise.

I’m rather pleased that the ‘cock a doodle’ didn’t make it to the final version.

What about you?

The ‘cuckoo’ noise that we hear is formed by the use of two tiny bellows opening and closing. You can see the internal workings of the bellows and other parts of a cuckoo clock in a display at the shop.

2. The Largest Cuckoo Clock In The World

Three kilometres north of the main street in Triberg, at Eble Clock Park, you’ll find the world’s largest cuckoo clock. The Eble family, who run the business here, are also traditional clock builders, operating since 1880.

The world’s largest cuckoo clock, verified by the Guinness Book of Records, took two men, Ewald Eble and his son Ralf, five years to build.

It measures 4.5 meters high and 4.5 meters wide, and the ‘little’ cuckoo weighs over 150kg. It is a magnificent piece of engineering that was created as an exact replica of a small cuckoo clock on a scale of 1:60.

Opening Hours:

From Easter to the end of October:

• Monday to Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

From November to Easter:

• Monday to Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Sunday: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Address: Schonachbach 27, 78136 Schonach im Schwarzwald, Germany

3. World’s First, Largest Cuckoo Clock in The World

4. World’s Smallest Cuckoo Clock

It would be remiss of me if I didn’t mention that Triberg is also home to the world’s smallest cuckoo clock. Crafted by Hubert Herr, the adorable work of art measures 5.12″ tall, 5.51″ wide and 4.72″ thickness and weighs just 3kg.

It can fit into the palm of your hand!

Now, when we searched for his workshop and showroom, we couldn’t find it; and Google states it is permanently closed.

Address:  🔍 Can anyone solve the mystery location?

5. Wooden Carved Council Chambers

The council chamber room of the Triberg Town Hall is entirely made of wood and features interesting carvings of life in the Black Forest.

It’s on the first floor of the Town Hall and is free entry. Karl Josef Fortwängler designed it in 1926. 

Address: Dorf, 78098 Triberg im Schwarzwald, Germany

6. Schwarzwaldmuseum

The Schwarzwald Museum (Black Forest Museum) lets you step back in time and learn about local crafts, traditional costumes and customs of the Black Forest area and what life was like through the ages.

There is also a mini “Schwarzwaldbahn” – a miniature railway highlighting the importance of the Black Forest railway. You can learn all about the history of Triberg’s silver and silica mining and see a collection of Black Forest clocks dating back four centuries.

The museum has a small cafe where you can grab a coffee and a slice of Black Forest cake. Yum.

Opening Times:

• Monday to Thursday: 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Friday to Sunday: 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Address: Wallfahrtstraße 4, 78098 Triberg im Schwarzwald

ℹ️ : Tourist Information is located inside the Black Forest Museum

7. Black Forest Railway Adventure Trail

The Blackforest Railway Adventure Trail leads you along varied scenery with panoramic views over Triberg. Along the way are information points detailing the history of the Black Forest Railway.

There are two trails, the lower and upper Railway trails. 

The main trail, the lower trail, is a six-kilometre loop that starts and ends at Triberg Railway Station. It conveniently passes by the world’s largest cuckoo clock, so you can kill two birds with one stone – or should I say cuckoos? 

The railway line has 32 tunnels in the Triberg area and is known as one of the most picturesque railway routes in Europe. 

See our map above for the trail’s route and you can download a PDF map and the various information ‘stations’ here.  

8. Wallfahrtskirche: Maria In Der Tanne

The Wallfahrtskirche is a baroque-style church dating from the early 1700s.

However, the church’s history goes back to 1644, when a couple of miracles are said to have occurred due to a nearby water source.

The first story tells of a young girl’s eye being healed, and the second, that a man named Friedrich Schwab was cured of leprosy. Friedrich was so grateful that he placed a small statue of the Virgin Mary into a hollow of a pine tree – thus the name of ‘Maria in der Tanne‘.

There is a trail called the Kulturweg, which takes you by the church and around a small lake, Bergsee.

9. Triberg Waterfall

Although Triberg Waterfall (Triberg Wasserfall) is touted by many as Germany’s highest waterfall, it actually isn’t.

That accolade falls to the Röthbach Waterfall near Lake Konigssee in Bavaria. But Triberg’s waterfall is more easily accessible and the claim, though false, is helpful for Triberg’s tourism industry.

The waterfalls at Triberg plummet 163 metres into the Gutach River below and can be reached from several entrance points.

The trailhead to the Triberg Waterfall is in the town, where a two-kilometre walking trail leads to the top of the falls.

The Triberg waterfall is lit up at night until about 10 pm.

Opening Times: Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Prices are found on the Triberg Waterfall site here and you can download a map of the Falls and the three walking routes here.

10. Triberger Weihnachtszauber

If you visit Triberg or its surroundings at Christmastime, you can enjoy the annual Triberger Weihnachtszauber.

This Christmas festival lights up the town with over a million fairy lights and includes fireworks, music and a magical tunnel of lights that lights your way to the Triberg Waterfall. 

Exploring Triborg, 2024 – Additional Activities

From vintage steam locomotives to festive Christmas markets, Triberg offers a variety of events throughout the year. Here’s what you can look forward to in 2024:

🚂 Triberg Locomotive Event Calendar

1. Black Forest Railway Days Festival

• Dates & Times:
  • Saturday, September 21, 2024: 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, September 22, 2024: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Location: Triberg Train Station
• Features: Explore the historic Class 50 steam locomotive, enjoy steam train rides between Triberg and St. Georgen, and partake in a locomotive parade with inside views and cab rides. Experience the Black Forest Railway exhibition, join a guided hike, ride a miniature steam train, and enjoy local food and live music at the station.

2. Black Forest Railway Steam Locomotive Rides

• Dates & Times: July 14th, August 18th, August 25th, and September 1st, 2024.
• Location: Departing from and returning to Triberg.
• Features: Experience nostalgic journeys through the scenic Black Forest, featuring 37 tunnels.
• Booking: Advance ticket reservations are recommended.

❗️It might be worth considering the Black Forest Card, which gives free admission to more than 200 attractions and is valid on 3 freely selectable days.

🎄 Triberg Christmas Market

• Location: Town Centre
• Dates: December 25th to December 30th
• Times: Daily from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Highlights:
  • The Triberg Waterfall is beautifully illuminated.
  • Over a million Christmas lights are on display throughout the town.

🌤️ Weather in Triberg: What To Expect

The weather in Triberg, Germany, as in most of central Europe, can be unpredictable. You can expect four distinct seasons in Triberg.

The best weather for outdoor activities is the summer months, June to September, however, evening thunderstorms are common. These Summer months happen to be the busiest; with both locals and international tourists visiting the Black Forest.

Winter, from December to February, transforms the Black Forest into a snowy wonderland. With the cold temperatures, the forest can be blanketed in thick snow. Traditional Christmas markets pop up in the Black Forest villages, with their Christmas tunes and mulled wine.

Spring heralds the re-awakening of the forest, while Autumn offers its golden hues to the landscape. As you can see, each season has merits, and there are many options for things to do in Triberg.

Our visit to Triberg in May coincided with the shoulder season and fewer visitors.

We didn’t have brilliant weather, and although rain intermittently bucketed down, there were enough ‘inside’ options to keep us busy until the clouds cleared.

You can see the rain in our video snippet above;)

Rain is also a good excuse to seek out a cafe (of which there are several in Triberg) and sample the local Black Forest cake.

The winter months can be cold in Triberg, but Germany is known for its amazing Christmas markets and Yuletide celebrations, and Triberg is no different. A visit to the Triberger Weihnachtszauber looks like it would be an excellent winter experience.

🏨 Accommodation Options in Triberg

Budget:

Mid-Range:

High-End:

FAQ’s

Is Triberg Germany Worth Visiting?

Triberg is definitely worth visiting. With its diverse range of attractions, there is something for everyone, and with four distinct seasons, you’ll be able to choose just the right time to travel.

What Is Triberg Known For?

Triberg is best known as home to the largest and smallest cuckoo clock in the world.

Things To Do In Triberg, Germany … That’s A Wrap

Triberg is a great place to visit in the Black Forest, with plenty of things to see and experience. Our favourite was definitely looking at all the different types of clocks and marvelling at the intricate designs. 

If you don’t have time the whole day to spend in Triberg, then make sure to stop at the House of a Thousand Clocks, right on the main road making for an easy stop. You really don’t want to miss Triberg’s amazing cuckoo clocks.  

Enjoy, there are many places to visit in Triberg, and much to keep you enthralled.

What would you most like to do in Triberg? Or, if you’ve already visited, what was one of your favourite things to do in Triberg? We’d love to hear from you.

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