This beautiful Christmas market has been dubbed one of the “most beautiful” in Europe thanks to its picturesque backdrop and winter atmosphere as travellers are left “in tears” at sight of it
If you are tired of the expensive Christmas markets nestled amongst city squares, this beautiful location could be your answer to feeling extra festive this season. The Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market offers something very different.
Hidden deep in the Black Forest’s Höllental (Hell Valley), this market doesn’t rely on medieval town halls for its backdrop. Instead, it is nestled in a steep, wooded canyon beneath a towering stone viaduct. The magic happens when the sun sets.
The massive stone arches of the railway bridge are illuminated in shifting violets, blues, and reds. Every twenty minutes or so, a regional train rumbles overhead, looking like a toy train in the distance, while snow (often reliable here) dusts the wooden huts below.
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Travellers Claudia and Kaan, from Toronto, US, visited the German market last week and were shocked when they stumbled upon the picture-perfect scene.
The couple wrote on their TikTok video: “We nearly cried. Tucked deep in the Black Forest with a massive stone viaduct glowing above you is one of Europe’s most beautiful Christmas Markets.”
Those who have visited have argued it’s one of the most romantic markets, with the isolation of the gorge meaning no background city noise and a backdrop of brass bands, the crunch of snow and the murmur of the crowd.
It’s also less busy than most Christmas markets thanks to its ticketed system and timed entry, avoiding the dangerous overcrowding seen at major markets like Cologne or Munich.
2025 Guide
Dates & Opening Hours
The market is only open on weekends (Fri-Sun) during Advent.
- Dates: Nov 28 – Dec 21, 2025
- Fridays: 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Saturdays: 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Sundays: 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Ticket Prices (2025 Estimates)
Entry is strictly ticketed. You cannot buy tickets at the gate.
- Adults: €6.50/£5.71 (entry before 4 PM) / €8.50/£7.46 (entry after 4 PM)
- Children (6-15): Free entry (but may need a shuttle ticket)
- Golden Rule: Tickets go on sale in mid-October (usually Oct 14th). Set an alarm; the evening slots sell out within days.
How to Get There
Due to its remote location, you can’t drive up to the market gate. Private parking is non-existent at the gorge itself for general visitors.
1. The Shuttle Bus
Most visitors take the shuttle bus. When you buy your market ticket online, you must select your shuttle departure point.
- From Hinterzarten or Himmelreich: These are the main shuttle hubs with parking lots and train stations. You park there (or arrive by train) and take the 10-minute bus ride.
- From Freiburg: There is a direct shuttle from Freiburg main station (approx 30 mins).
- Cost: Approx. €24/£21 (includes market entry and roundtrip bus). This is the stress-free “VIP” option if you are staying in the city.
2. The Winter Hike
For the full Black Forest experience, skip the bus and walk.
- The Route: Park in Hinterzarten and hike the Löffeltal path.
- Details: It is a paved, cleared winter hiking trail that takes about 45–60 minutes. It is downhill/flat on the way there.
- Torchlight: Many visitors bring headlamps or torches for the walk back, though the shuttle is a welcome sight for tired legs on the return journey.
Food and drink
The market hosts around 40 wooden chalets. The focus here is strictly regional, meaning local delicacies and small businesses.
A cup of mulled wine can be as cheap as €5/£4.30, while food costs vary.
- Wildschweinbratwurst: Wild boar sausage, a specialty of the forest.
- Flammlachs: Salmon smoked over an open fire on wooden planks.
- Black Forest Ham: Sold by the slab to take home.
- Glühwein: The mulled wine here is excellent, often made from local Badischer wine.
- Dünnele: A regional flatbread similar to Flammkuchen, topped with sour cream, bacon, and onions.
Tips for visiting
- Dress for the cold: The gorge traps cold air. It will be significantly colder here than in nearby Freiburg. Wear thermal boots; you will be standing on snow or frozen gravel for hours.
- Cash to hand: While some vendors take cards, signal in the gorge is spotty. Bring plenty of Euro coins and small bills.
- The “Magic Hour”: Book the 4pm-6pm slot. You arrive in twilight to see the gorge features, and by 5:00 PM, the lights are fully on for the complete experience.
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