Explore fantastic natural landscapes on foot and breathe in fresh air – hiking is one of the most beautiful and healthiest leisure activities. We present Germany's five most beautiful long-distance hiking trails – for everyone who doesn't want to spend their vacation on the beach this year.
1. The Hochrhöner – 180 kilometers from Bavaria via Hesse to Thuringia
It is one of the most popular and most beautiful long-distance hiking trails in Germany and was chosen as such by the hiking magazine back in 2010: the Hochrhöner, which leads through the Rhön biosphere reserve in Bavaria, Hesse and Thuringia. Those who embark on the almost 180-kilometer route start in the Bavarian spa town of Bad Kissingen and hike across Gersfeld in Hesse to the saltwater spa town of Bad Salzungen in Thuringia – or vice versa.
Overall, the route can be divided into eleven stages, which mainly lead through forested regions, green valleys and small lakes in the Rhön low mountain range. The highest elevation is the 950-meter-high Berg Wasserkuppe in Hesse, from where many glider pilots take off into the sky. In the immediate vicinity is also the Rote Moor, a fabulously beautiful nature reserve and the largest raised bog in Hesse, which is partly crossed on footbridges.
Another highlight on the route: the Franciscan monastery on the Kreuzberg, a well-known place of pilgrimage and excursion, which is also popular because of the freshly brewed beer.
- More info: 180 kilometers long, 11 stages; Internet: www.rhoen.de
2. The Eifelsteig – over 300 kilometers through volcanic landscapes
The Eifel is one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the Republic. Under the motto "Where rock and water accompany you", hikers can complete the so-called Eifelsteig on the 313-kilometer route. Divided into 15 stages, this runs from Aachen in North Rhine-Westphalia to Trier in Rhineland-Palatinate.
Hikers are particularly impressed by the variety of landscapes on this route: the Rurtal with its rock falls and reservoirs, the cones and mars of the lush green volcanic Eifel, the rivers from Lieser and Kyll to the colorful sandstone cliffs north of Trier. A special feature are the sections that lead through the moor and heath landscape of the High Fens, one of the last high moor landscapes in Europe.
Other special features: The millstone caves of Gerolstein and the Butzerbach valley with its watercourses lead over the various suspension bridges as well as the Himmerod monastery in the Salmtal with its imposing baroque church.
3. The Moselsteig Trail – 365 kilometers through wine-growing country
Vineyards, wine-growing villages and the sparkle of the Moselle in the sun – this 365-kilometer route offers hikers the opportunity to explore this picturesque cultural landscape in the west of the Republic. With different levels of difficulty from easy to difficult and 24 stages with lengths between 11 to 24 kilometers, it runs from Perl on the Upper Moselle to Koblenz, where the Rhine and Moselle meet.
Hikers not only pass picturesque Moselle towns like Bernkastel-Kues with its centuries-old half-timbered houses and the castle ruins that tower high above the old town, but also Germany's oldest city Trier. It was founded by the Romans 2000 years ago and features buildings from this period such as the Porta Nigra and an amphitheater.
Other highlights on the route: the Höhenburg Eltz in the Elztal, the Bremmer Calmont, which is the steepest vineyard in Europe with a height of 380 meters and an incline of 68 degrees, and the fortress ruin Mont Royal, which the Sun King Ludwig XIV had built from 1687 onwards Vauban built on a peninsula hill above the town of Traben for his troops.
4. The 66 lake hiking trail: 400 leisurely kilometers – without an incline
It is long but easy to master thanks to the predominantly flat route – the 66-lake hiking trail is ideal for beginners and families who just want to hike comfortably without sweaty climbs. The start and end point of this tour, which runs through Brandenburg with its 17 stages, is Potsdam. A circular route that leads around the federal capital of Berlin.
Everything revolves around the enchanting water, river and seascapes that characterize this region: from the Havel and the Havel Canal to Mönchsensee and Boddensee to the Herrensee with its small islets. On the 5th stage between Wensickendorf and Melchow, hikers pass eight lakes: Stolzenhagener See, Wandlitzsee and Heilige Drei, Pfüle, Regenbogen-, Lipnitz-, Ober- and Hellsee. Swimwear is part of the basic equipment on this tour.
The nice thing about the route is not only the water, but also the many secluded forest and meadow landscapes with their lush vegetation. There are also a few superlatives to admire between Bad Saarow and Wendisch Rietz: In Storkow, one of the oldest cities in Brandenburg, there is Germany's largest inland dune with a height of 36 meters. You will also pass the famous Scharmützelsee, which is the largest lake in Brandenburg with a length of ten kilometers and is nicknamed the Märkisches Meer thanks to the poet Theodor Fontane.
5. The Jura Trail: 230 kilometers through the Bavarian Jura
A great route for experienced hikers is the Jurasteig, which leads over 230 kilometers in 13 stages through the Bavarian Jura. The starting and starting point of this circular tour is Kehlheim an der Donau and the Altmühl. The first stage leads directly from the ship landing stage through the old town to the north and then up through the shady beech forests to the Goldberg. Shortly before Kapfelberg there is a first fantastic view over the Danube valley with the Teufelsfelsen near Bad Abbach.
But these are not the only highlights of this path: The last horseshoe bat colony in Germany lives in Hohenburg – the animals have a remarkable wingspan of up to 40 centimeters. Since they only fly over the fields to hunt at night, interested people can visit some specimens of this kind in advance in the bat house.
A few steps further, hikers come to the spectacular Weltenburg Monastery near the Danube breakthrough. Founded in 620 AD by Iro-Scottish monks, it is the oldest monastery in Bavaria and boasts a magnificent baroque church built by the Asam brothers in the 18th century. The surrounding landscape with the rocks and gravel banks of the Danube make it one of the most beautiful sights in Bavaria.