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Just as southern Germany is home to the famous Romantische Straße (Romantic Road), the Black Forest has its own fairy-tale route — the German Clock Route (Deutsche Uhrenstraße). Stretching for almost 300 km, this scenic drive winds through rolling hills, deep forests, and charming villages, celebrating the region’s centuries-old tradition of clockmaking, especially the world-renowned cuckoo clocks.
Like pearls on a string, the route connects some of the Black Forest’s most picturesque towns: Triberg, with its waterfalls and giant cuckoo clocks; Furtwangen, home of the German Clock Museum; the peaceful monastery villages of St. Märgen and St. Peter; the idyllic lakeside retreat of Titisee-Neustadt; and the traditional clockmaking hubs of Schönwald, Schonach, and Eisenbach, before circling back through the historic town of Villingen-Schwenningen.
The German Clock Route is more than just a drive — it’s a journey through time, tradition, and storybook landscapes that capture the very spirit of the Black Forest.
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The town of Furtwangen has long been the beating heart of Black Forest clockmaking. Since the very beginnings of the craft, it has stood at the center of innovation and tradition. Today, the town’s German Clock Museum enjoys a worldwide reputation, housing the largest collection of historic German clocks. Its origins go back to the clockmaker’s school established here in the 19th century under the leadership of Robert Gerwig, the school’s first headmaster. Gerwig left a remarkable legacy — not only through the famed Black Forest Railway he helped initiate, but also by recognizing the cultural value of traditional clocks. In 1852, he encouraged the preservation of old, hand-carved wooden clocks, forming the nucleus of today’s extraordinary collection of over 4,000 pieces.
Just a short distance away lies the peaceful holiday village of Schönwald, forever tied to the story of the cuckoo clock. It was here that Franz Ketterer, credited as the inventor of the cuckoo clock, lived and worked. Ketterer’s breakthrough came when he successfully mimicked the cuckoo’s call using a system of two tiny wooden whistles, a simple but ingenious idea that gave birth to one of Germany’s most iconic cultural symbols.
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The name Triberg is inseparably linked to its famous waterfalls, among the highest in Germany. Arrive in the morning, and you may be greeted by the playful red squirrels who gather near the entrance, hoping for a second breakfast from visitors. Beyond its natural wonder, Triberg is also a center of clockmaking. A highlight is the Black Forest Museum, located just above the waterfall entrance. Inside, you’ll discover the largest collection of barrel and street organs in Europe, alongside an impressive display of antique Black Forest clocks.
From Triberg, the route winds upward into the high valley of Schonach, a tranquil village and one of the historic centers of cuckoo clock production.
Continuing past Hornberg, the road leads to Schramberg, also known as the “five-valley town.” This is the birthplace of Junghans, one of Germany’s most prestigious clock and watch manufacturers, whose reputation today rests on their precision radio-controlled wristwatches. The local museum is well worth a visit, showcasing a unique collection of industrial clocks. Carefully chosen exhibits illustrate not only past manufacturing techniques but also the social and economic history of the region’s clockmaking industry.
The journey along the German Clock Route eventually returns to its roots in Eisenbach, where master clockmaker Johann Baptist Beha once crafted his renowned table cuckoo clocks. At the historic Hotel “Bad”, visitors can still admire his remarkable world time clock of 1865, lovingly preserved by his descendants as a testament to the artistry and ingenuity of Black Forest horology.
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Finally, the route brings you to the area around Titisee-Neustadt, often described as the true cradle of the Black Forest Clock. This lively holiday town, nestled beside the sparkling Lake Titisee, combines scenic beauty with a rich horological tradition. It is also home to HÖNES Uhren GmbH, one of the leading manufacturers of authentic Black Forest cuckoo clocks, where traditional craftsmanship is carried on with pride and precision.
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