National parks near Schwäbisch Gmünd, Baden-Wurttemberg
Black Forest National Park is the closest national park to Schwäbisch Gmünd, Baden-Wurttemberg — 119 km (74 mi) in a straight line, which works out to roughly 2 hr 12 min behind the wheel.
Dark conifer ridges and valleys in Baden-Württemberg; Germany’s Black Forest national park.
Black Forest National Park makes a full day trip — leave early. Hunsrück-Hochwald National Park, Hainich National Park, Stelvio National Park, Bavarian Forest National Park, Kellerwald-Edersee National Park, Berchtesgaden National Park, Eifel National Park, Val Grande National Park, and Harz National Park are better with a night booked nearby.
Schwäbisch Gmünd has a population of about 61,216.
Black Forest National Park
Hunsrück-Hochwald National Park
Hainich National Park
Stelvio National Park
Bavarian Forest National Park
Kellerwald-Edersee National Park
Best time to visit Black Forest National Park. Getting to Black Forest National Park.
National parks near Schwäbisch Gmünd
| Park | Straight-line distance | Estimated drive | Realistic trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Forest National Park | 119 km (74 mi) | 2 hr 12 min | Doable as a day trip |
| Hunsrück-Hochwald National Park | 220 km (137 mi) | 3 hr 41 min | Best as a weekend |
| Hainich National Park | 258 km (160 mi) | 4 hr 15 min | Best as a weekend |
| Stelvio National Park | 262 km (163 mi) | 4 hr 18 min | Best as a weekend |
| Bavarian Forest National Park | 264 km (164 mi) | 4 hr 20 min | Best as a weekend |
| Kellerwald-Edersee National Park | 270 km (168 mi) | 4 hr 25 min | Best as a weekend |
| Berchtesgaden National Park | 274 km (170 mi) | 4 hr 29 min | Best as a weekend |
| Eifel National Park | 314 km (195 mi) | 5 hr 4 min | Best as a weekend |
| Val Grande National Park | 322 km (200 mi) | 5 hr 11 min | Best as a weekend |
| Harz National Park | 337 km (209 mi) | 5 hr 24 min | Best as a weekend |
When to make this trip
Black Forest National Park is generally best June through September, with May and early October as the quieter shoulder either side.
Late autumn through early spring is cold and wet, with limited hut service and short daylight.
Mountain weather turns quickly and marked routes can stay snow-covered well into June.
Seeing more than one
Several parks near Schwäbisch Gmünd are close enough to each other to combine on one trip, so the drive from home only has to happen once.
| Pair | Apart | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Black Forest → Hunsrück-Hochwald | 152 km (94.2 mi) | 2 hr 41 min |
| Hunsrück-Hochwald → Hainich | 283 km (176 mi) | 4 hr 36 min |
| Black Forest → Stelvio | 287 km (179 mi) | 4 hr 41 min |
| Hainich → Bavarian Forest | 316 km (196 mi) | 5 hr 6 min |
Planning a trip from Schwäbisch Gmünd
Distances here are straight-line and the drive estimate adds a road factor on top, but mountain passes and seasonal closures can change it a lot — a route that looks like three hours in June can be shut entirely in February. Confirm road status with the park before you commit to a date.
Other towns in Regierungsbezirk Stuttgart
Common questions
What is the closest national park to Schwäbisch Gmünd?
Black Forest National Park. It is about 119 km (74 mi) from Schwäbisch Gmünd, roughly 2 hr 12 min of driving.
Can I do a national park day trip from Schwäbisch Gmünd?
Yes — Black Forest National Park is within about a three-hour drive.
How many national parks are near Schwäbisch Gmünd?
10 parks are within reach of Schwäbisch Gmünd, and 1 of them is close enough for a day trip.
When is the best time to visit the parks near Schwäbisch Gmünd?
For Black Forest National Park, the closest one, generally June through September. Either side of that, May and early October stays quieter.