Titisee is a Black Forest village approximately 40 km from Freiburg and within easy reach via a scenic train journey. Or, you can arrive on a coach trip as the majority of visitors do. For the population of 1000, life revolves around catering for tourists. Summer or winter it doesn’t matter what the season, Titisee is a tourist magnet and it’s not because of the laughable name.
Adopting its name from the lake named after the Roman Emperor Titus, the Titisee tourists amble along the short pedestrian zone, down to the waterfront promenade with their cameras and enjoy the landscape of the forest and mountains around the lake.
There is the temptation to buy Black Forest ham, the famous Black Forest cake or bottles of Schnapps at various souvenir shops. Also expensive cuckoo clocks or year-round Christmas decorations can be taken home as a treat.
A camping resort hides at the far end of the lake for holidaymakers who come to enjoy the outdoor recreation activities in Titisee. The hiking trails available are endless beginning with an easy six kilometre walk around the lake.
During winter the lake ices over and areas are segregated for ice-skating. Over 40 meters deep in some places, no motorboats are allowed as the water is used for drinking. It is possible to rent odd-shaped rowboats, paddleboats, or ‘donut boats’ shaped as a donut for up to 10 people and sail around BBQing on the donuts. The older generation relax on a larger audio tour boat for 30 minutes.
Basically life revolves around the lake and buying a souvenir. But I have been to Titisee many times over the years and always seem to find something to occupy myself. Either hiking, drinking with locals at a small bar, snow fights or people watch over a gateau.
A new indoor tropical swimming pool and water slides has opened recently and I hope to go to in the near future.
All photos taken by myself on a point and shoot.