Lying not far beyond where France, Switzerland and Germany converge, the Black Forest, a walker's paradise, can be easily reached by train from London. From Basel on the French-Swiss border, you travel along the Rhine Valley on a high-speed train before changing on to a local train for the last leg through increasingly Hansel-and-Gretel-like scenery. This sensation of exploring the illustrations of a fairy tale are likely to last all week, but the wonderful hospitality – and first-rate cuisine – are very real.
A Walk in the Black Forest walking holiday >