The Black Forest is the heavily wooded mountain region in southwestern Germany that gives its name to Black Forest cake.
Known in German as the Schwarzwald, the region occupies much of southwestern Baden-Württemberg. It is a major upland area with dense forests, valleys, lakes, and traditional villages. The name is commonly linked to the dark appearance of its extensive conifer forests when viewed from a distance.
The Black Forest is associated with cuckoo clocks, spa towns, hiking, and winter sports. Its highest point is Feldberg, which reaches 1,493 metres. The region’s forests are managed landscapes rather than untouched wilderness, and their composition has changed over time through forestry, storms, disease, and replanting.
Black Forest cake is called Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte in German. Its name refers to the region and the cherry brandy kirsch, not simply to the colour of the cake or the forest.