Hello from Oberammergau where the weather is perfect for sightseeing.

I would like to seek the help of Fodorites who are familiar with Germany. We are leaving for Cochem tomorrow and the other couple we are traveling with asked if it is possible for us to drive through a portion of the Black Forest. Any suggested routes? I'd also appreciate your suggested stops for lunch and rest breaks. Is there any particular town that would be great for sightseeing?

Thanks for the usual kind assistance!

Well you could do the Black forest or more sensibly you could drive through the Hartz mountains. That would allow you to visit somewhere like Bad Durheim (more famous for its wine than say the Baden wine region) and then over the mountains to Cochem. It would still be a long day but more feasible.

Ulm could be on the way and a reason to stop by is its astounding world-famous cathedral. Or Tuebingen for a lovely university town.

for an alternative to long black Forest route head up to the Neckar River Valley a k a Castle Road and drive along the Neckar, stopping in Heidelberg, one of the few German towns not blitzed in WW2 - known for its famous castle brooding high above this university town.

Ulm is a very good place to visit. Town hall very well decorated

"Well you could do the Black forest or more sensibly you could drive through the Hartz mountains. That would allow you to visit somewhere like Bad Durheim (more famous for its wine than say the Baden wine region) and then over the mountains to Cochem. It would still be a long day but more feasible."

It's nearly 1100 km via Goslar (Harz mountain town) to Cochem.
It's less than 700 km via Schlitach (Black Forest) to Cochem.

How is it more feasible to travel through the Harz?? Maybe you're talking about the hilly "Pfalz" area??

The most direct route is about 570 km and would indeed take you through Ulm. I wouldn't have it in me to drive all that in one day. But if you do, and you could route yourselves through the scenic Black Forest town of Calw, not far from Stuttgart, you would add only about 20km to the trip. Calw has some amazing half-timbered buildings.

Gosh yes Russ you are right. What a mistake to make.