Herb walk in the Black Forest

Friedrich Klumpp, passionate chef, certified hiking guide, and host at the Hotel-Gasthof Rosengarten, not only knows the trails, but also the secrets that grow along the way. In his role as hiking chef, he takes you on a herb hike in the Black Forest that is absolutely unique.

The hiking chef from Baiersbronn

Wild herbs, berries, pine needles—the Black Forest's wild pantry. On his guided herb hike in the Black Forest, he takes you out into nature. There, where moss softly cushions the ground, the scent of pine resin hangs in the air—and where you can discover how surprisingly aromatic wild flavors can be. An experience for all the senses. Friedrich Klumpp is known far beyond Baiersbronn for his 5-course forest menu. Cooking takes place on the go – over an open fire – using everything the forest and meadows have to offer: wild herbs, berries, spruce needles, and regional products. At the Rosengarten hiking hotel in the Black Forest, hiking and enjoyment merge into a culinary nature experience that you will not soon forget.

Herbal walk in the Black Forest — © Pauline Joosten

A short guide for your own herb walk

Want to go foraging yourself? Then be careful. Nature is not a supermarket—and not everything that looks inviting is edible. Only pick what you can clearly identify, and don't forage in places where dogs are walked!

On a guided herb hike in the Black Forest, you can find wild raspberries.

Wild raspberry

Delicate, sweet, and fragrant—these small wild raspberries grow on thorny bushes along sunny forest edges.

Risk of confusion: Wild raspberries are edible, and confusion with poisonous plants such as black nightshade is rare, but caution should still be exercised. A sure sign of recognition: the raspberries can be easily removed from the stem.
Ideal harvesting time: July to August, when the berries are deep red and soft.
Tip from the hiking chef: "Wild raspberries are much more aromatic than cultivated ones. They taste best fresh from the bush – a summer gift from nature."

Wild strawberry

Small, delicate, and intense in flavor, the wild strawberry is the secret star among wild berries. It grows on the ground, often hidden among grasses, at the edges of forests, and in sunny clearings.

Risk of confusion: There are no poisonous lookalikes, only the tasteless Indian strawberry, which has yellow flowers, while the strawberry has white flowers.
Ideal harvesting time: June to July, when the berries are bright red and aromatic.
Tip from the hiking chef: "It's tiny, but its flavor is hard to beat. A handful of them is like a dessert in the middle of a hike."

On the herb hike in the Black Forest, you can find wild woodland strawberries.

On the herb hike in the Black Forest, you can find wild blueberries.

Blueberry

Wild blueberries grow in sparse forests and stain your fingers blue when picked and your tongue blue when eaten—a good sign!

Risk of confusion: The intoxicating berry looks similar, but has light-colored flesh and tastes bland. In large quantities, it can have a slightly intoxicating effect. A sure sign: real blueberries have dark flesh.
Ideal harvesting time: July to August, when the berries are plump and aromatic.
Tip from the hiking chef: "If the flesh is dark blue, it's a real blueberry – and full of healthy nutrients. Even the blueberry flowers are edible. They don't taste as intense, but they're also very good."

Ribwort plantain

This little helper found growing by the wayside has a mildly tart taste but powerful effects.

Risk of confusion: Confusion with similar types of plantain is usually harmless, as they are all edible.
Ideal harvesting time: May to September, when the leaves and flowers are fresh and juicy.
Tip from the hiking chef: "Crush a leaf and place it on the skin – this provides immediate relief from stinging nettles or mosquito bites. Ribwort plantain heads, as the flowers are called, taste very similar to fresh mushrooms."

Plantain is often picked during the herb hike in the Black Forest.

Meadowsweet

Meadowsweet is a fragrant wild plant found on the edges of damp meadows and along stream banks. It has a sweet, aromatic flavor with hints of almonds and vanilla.

Risk of confusion: Be careful with similar plants such as the poisonous hemlock species. Only collect meadowsweet flowers that can be clearly identified: white umbels, pleasant scent, no strongly feathered leaves.
Ideal harvesting time: June to August, when the flowers are fully open and aromatic.
Tip from the hiking chef: "The flowers are perfect for syrup, tea, or desserts. Just a few flowers add a delicate summer aroma to drinks."

Your herb walk in the Black Forest

Would you like to hike, smell, taste, and learn which plants are really safe to eat? Then come to the Wanderhotel Rosengarten. Here, the delights of the region are combined with the wisdom of nature. And Friedrich Klumpp will show you how the things that grow along the wayside can be turned into little miracles.