In this post I have put together a list of popular hiking routes in Germany and tips for possible travel destinations for your hiking holiday in Germany.
For a long time, hiking in Germany was considered an unspectacular hobby for nature lovers over the age of 50. Well, times are changing and more and more young people are now trudging through the hiking areas.
I love to hike in Germany and I have to say that you don’t really have to do El Camino de Santiago de Compostela. The hiking trails in Germany lead through gorges, past ruins or into the moor. So there is plenty of variety right here in Germany.
Goldsteig, Bavaria
This long-distance hiking trail takes you over around 600 kilometers through the Upper Palatinate and Bavarian Forests.
The hiking trail is also recognized as a quality hiking trail and was opened in 2007.
It takes you from Marktredwitz to Passau.
It is divided into a north and a south route, so you can choose the right path according to your taste.
Various sights and beautiful nature await you on the hiking trail.
A highlight is the Blockmeer on the Lusen. This rock formation in the Bavarian Forest National Park looks like a heaped mountain of rock debris, but is of natural origin.
The Goldsteig also leads past the Neuschöngau treetop path, Falkenberg Castle and Falkenstein.
Oberlausitzer Bergweg, Saxony
A total of 107 kilometers await you on the quality hiking trail from the pottery town of Neukirch to Zittau.
If you like wild and romantic nature, then you will find just the right thing for you on this hiking tour in eastern Germany.
Special sights that the Oberlausitzer Bergweg leads past include Oybin Castle and Monastery and the source of the Spree.
Jägersteig, Baden-Württemberg
The Jägersteig leads you along the Schluchsee through the beautiful Black Forest.
The circular hiking trail is around 11 kilometers long and offers you beautiful views of the Schluchsee in many places.
You can find out interesting facts about the history of hunting and the historical border paths at various information points along the entire route.
Insider tip:
Visit the Jägersteig in the early morning and enjoy the beautiful sunrise over the lake.
It’s just as nice when you come to the lake on foggy autumn days, then the whole thing has something mystical about it.
Märkischer Landweg, Brandenburg
The Märkische Landweg leads you through three national natural landscapes of the Uckermark.
The path leads from Feldberg to Fürstenberg.
The approximately 217-kilometer route is divided into ten stages and can of course be walked from both directions.
You will encounter small and rustic paths on the Märkisches Landweg.
Here it is not difficult to forget the time and just slow down.
The individual stages of the trail are of course also perfect for day trips.
Sights along the way include the old town of Templin and Grumsin, an ancient beech forest.
For a break and some relaxation between hikes, a detour to the thermal baths in Brandenburg is worthwhile.
The next route that is ideal for a hiking holiday is the Heidschnuckenweg in Lower Saxony.
It runs from Hamburg-Fischbek to Celle and has a total length of around 223 kilometers.
The path is officially divided into 13 stages.
The hiking tour takes you mostly through the heathland of the Lüneburg Heath.
It is the largest contiguous heath area in Europe and a real natural wonder in Germany.
Thanks to the flat landscape, the route is also suitable for less experienced hikers.
The full beauty of the Heidschnuckenweg can be seen when the heather blooms from July to September and shows itself in radiant splendor.
The bony juniper bushes also shape the landscape in a bizarre way.
On your hike you will also come across one or the other herd of Heidschnucke that graze here.
Insider Tip:
If you want to relax a bit after your hiking tour, the many thermal baths in Lower Saxony are suitable.
Above all, you can relax your tense muscles here, but you can also do something good for your well-being in general and explore the next hiking trail the next day.
The next route takes you to North Rhine-Westphalia in the east of the Sauerland for hiking.
The circular hiking trail leads from and to Heringhausen along the Diemelsee through the beautiful landscape of the Sauerland.
The hiking trail is a total of 63 kilometers long and is divided into three stages.
The special highlights of this hiking trail are the beautiful natural areas that you hike through.
Rare high heath areas, dense forests and open field and meadow landscapes characterize the tour.
Enjoy your hiking trip with all your senses and be enchanted by the sounds and scents of nature.
Eifelsteig, North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate
This hiking trail connects two of the most historically significant cities in Germany.
The Eifelsteig leads over 313 kilometers from Aachen to Trier.
This route is also ideal as a stage during a city trip to one of the two cities.
You cross the border of North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate.
You walk through the beautiful landscape of the Eifel National Park and pass the monasteries of Steinfeld and Himmerod.
The latter is probably one of the most beautiful monasteries in Germany.
The landscape throughout the route is particularly varied and unique.
Passing one of the largest high moors in Europe, the High Fens, you will meet in the Kalkeifel with karstified limestone rocks and Mediterranean-looking plants.
Sandstone caves and red rocks predominate in the south of the route.
Malerweg, Saxony
This German hiking trail in Saxony rightly bears its name.
Spectacular photo motifs and magnificent views await you along the 112-kilometer circular route.
The Königstein Fortress and the Bastei Bridge in the Saxon Switzerland National Park are particularly impressive.
Here you hike on historical routes.
Because the first photos were taken of Saxon Switzerland as early as 1853 – long before Instagram and the selfie craze.
The path leads in a U-shape from the Liebethal district of Pirna to the Canalettohaus in Pirna.
A day trip to the Malerweg in Saxony is also worthwhile during a visit to Dresden.
Saar-Hundsrück-Steig, Saarland and Rhineland-Palatinate
This long-distance hiking trail stretches over 421 kilometers from Perl on the Moselle via Idar-Oberstein to Boppard on the Rhine.
The varied hiking trail is divided into 27 stages, which you can of course also hike individually.
Only five percent of the route is on paved paths and you can get very close to nature here.
The Saar loop, which is located on the hiking trail, is well-known and particularly popular.
From the Cloef vantage point you have a spectacular view of the Saar loop.
And those in love are guaranteed to get their money’s worth in this romantic place in Germany.
The view is even more beautiful when you climb up to the viewing point of the Saarschleife treetop path.
It is above the Cloef vantage point and rewards you with an even wider and more beautiful view of the Saar loop.
The sight is particularly worth seeing at sunset.
Ochsenweg, Schleswig-Holstein
Are you heading north for a hiking holiday? Then we recommend the Ochsenweg from Wedel in Schleswig-Holstein to Flensburg. There it continues in the Danish Heerweg.
The Ochsenweg is a route that has grown historically.
Here the shepherds drove their animals to the cattle markets in Lübeck, Hamburg and Wedel.
Today, the Ochsenweg is around 227 kilometers long and mostly paved, as it is also used as a long-distance cycle path.
From Uetersen, the Ochsenweg splits into an eastern and a western route.
The two sections then meet again in Rendsburg.
The eastern route leads through moor and forest areas, the western section leads you through the Seestermüher Marsch.
Historical buildings and archaeological finds await you along the way.
For example the Danewerk, a 30 km long rampart that is one of the oldest testimonies of history in Schleswig-Holstein.
Klosterweg, Rhineland-Palatinate
At almost 18 kilometers, this hiking trail is the shortest of the hiking trails presented here. It connects the Rhein-Steig with the Westerwald-Steig.
The course of the path leads from St. Kastor’s chapel in Rengsdorf to the parish church of the Assumption of Mary in Waldbreitbach.
The landscape of the Rengsdorfer Land changes from extensive panoramic views on the heights to small brook valleys.
Of course, the name of the monastery path is no coincidence and not only the starting and ending points are located at sacred buildings.
On the way you will also pass the St. Marienhaus monastery, the St. Josefhaus monastery and the Kreuzkapelle in Hausen/Wied.
The monastery garden of St. Marien with its many different plants and herbs is particularly beautiful.
Thanks to its relatively short distance, the Klosterweg is perfect for a day hike.
Hiking in Germany – this long-distance hiking trail is almost a must.
The Hochrhöner extends over 175 kilometers from Bad Salzungen to Bad Kissingen or vice versa.
There are a total of eleven daily stages, which you can of course hike individually if you wish.
150 kilometers of the entire route run in the Rhön biosphere reserve.
The hiking trail leads over open fields and bare mountain heights, through moors and along streams.
The landscape will enchant you with its diversity.
Special sights along the long-distance hiking trail are the highest peaks in the Rhön, such as the Wasserkuppe or Kreuzberg with its Franciscan monastery.
Müritz National Park Trail, Mecklenburg-West Pomerania
Hiking in the land of a thousand lakes. You can experience this on the Müritz National Park Trail, which is around 175 kilometers long.
More than half of the way runs over forest and field paths.
The hiking trail runs in a round trip from Waren (Müritz) via Wesenberg, Carpin, Neustrelitz back to Waren (Müritz).
The landscape of the Müritz National Park is criss-crossed by many lakes and rustic forests.
Observe ospreys, sea eagles or cormorants in their natural habitat and, with a bit of luck, spot a stork.
On the way you can enjoy the view from the 55 meter high Käflingsberg tower or walk through rustic beech forests.
Stop in the beautiful towns of Neustrelitz and Waren (Müritz) and visit the beautiful market squares or the castle gardens of Neustrelitz.
Panoramaweg Taubertal, Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria
From Rothenburg ob der Tauber to Freudenberg am Main, the Taubertal Panorama Trail takes you through a wildly romantic river valley.
You start in idyllic Rothenburg ob der Tauber, which is one of the most beautiful small towns in Germany.
You embark on a hike between vineyards, red sandstone terraces and past beautiful castles and palaces.
Weikersheim Castle, Wertheim Castle or Gamburg Castle are on your way.
The three wine-growing regions of Baden, Württemberg and Franconia also meet in this region.
So you can not only go on great hikes and experience beautiful buildings and nature, but also taste a good drop of wine. In my humble opinion, it is one of the best reasons to hike the Taubertal panorama trail.
Harzer-Hexen-Stieg, Saxony-Anhalt
This hiking trail has many beautiful natural sights in store for hikers among you.
Up to 150 kilometers, if you decide to take the detour over the Brocken, the path meanders through the Harz Mountains.
The path runs from Thale to Osterode am Harz.
It is divided into five to six stages, depending on your preference.
You hike through different forests, from dense coniferous forests to light mixed forests, past towering cliffs or over colorful mountain meadows.
The hiking trail is embedded in the Harz and Hochharz national parks.
Make your way to the Brocken and experience the mystical atmosphere around the legendary mountain.
Giggling witches and dancing devils seem to be out and about here not only on Walpurgis Night.
About the Author: Elle Johnson, travel writer living in Germany, an avid explorer fueled by wanderlust, uncovers Germany's hidden treasures. From mountains to luxury hotels, spontaneous trips to meticulous planning, she embraces diverse experiences. Join her in unraveling Germany's wonders and creating lifelong memories.
