Germany is a European hiking hotspot with over 124,000 miles (200,000km) of designated, waymarked trails. We’ve rounded up some of the best here, from forest walks to coastal paths, and routes that sweep past dramatic mountains, vineyards, rivers, characterful spa towns and more. German trekking season begins in spring and ends before the winter snow settles, with summer being the hottest and busiest period. Remember: regardless of ability or fitness level, it’s always wise to be prepared for all weathers and eventualities while hiking.
The 199-mile (320km) Rheinsteig connects the cities of Bonn and Wiesbaden, following the right bank of the Rhine River. The trail can be enjoyed in as few or as many stages as your abilities allow, given there are over 20 suggested sections. While only experienced pro-hikers should tackle the complete route, there are several premium circular loops to be trodden that all vary in difficulty, as well as other shorter sections suitable for day hikes.
Many of the Rheinsteig’s stages involve negotiating the undulating gradients of the region’s verdant valleys, which are scattered with patches of shady forest and sloping vineyards. The warm climate of the Middle Rhine and Rheingau is well-suited to viticulture, which was first established in these areas by the Romans. Be sure to stop in Rüdesheim for a glass of something crisp and local after your descent down from the Niederwald monument.
Surrounding a turquoise lake of the same name and flanked by the Wetterstein Mountains, the Eibsee loop walking route (or Eibsee Rundweg) is just under 4.7 miles (7.5km) long and can be completed in around two hours. It is regarded as an easy hike for most people, with minimal inclines and predominantly gravel paths. Visitors are encouraged to walk the trail anti-clockwise, beginning from the Eibsee Hotel car park which can be accessed by car, train or bus from the nearby towns of Grainau and Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The Eibsee Circular can also be tacked onto other local hikes if you’re feeling more adventurous.
Given the gentle nature of this circular route, it provides great fun for families and can even be traversed by prams and pushchairs. The trail curves around the island-dotted alpine lake and unfolds into picturesque views of the highest mountain in Germany, the Zugspitze, and the Untersee. After your lakeside wander, refuel in the Eibsee Pavillon with its seasonal beer garden and terrace restaurant. Or, a further 10 minutes walk from here is Eibsee-Alm, a rustic Bavarian inn with play areas for kids.
Weaving through the fabled Black Forest, the Schluchtensteig is 74 miles (119km) of spruce trees, meadows and moss-smothered gorges. It's split into six stages, containing peaks, valleys, moors, waterfalls and streams, with high-altitude sections and very few places to stop for refreshments, so remember to take everything you need with you regardless of whether you’re walking for the day or longer. Hikers of the Schluchtensteig should have a good head for heights and take care underfoot, as paths can be rocky and knotted with roots.
The trail kicks off in Stühlingen and concludes in the small town of Wehr, passing through the emerald chasms of Wutach Gorge before reaching highlights like Schluchsee reservoir and the sage-coloured dome of St Blaise Cathedral. The lush green landscapes extend to dense, dark forests and plateaus carpeted in grass. Though arduous at times, the Schluchtensteig makes sure to reward your efforts with sweeping panoramic views of mountains and ravines.
The Baltic Sea Coast Hiking Trail actually forms part of the long-distance E9 route which runs from Portugal all the way across mainland Europe to Estonia. The 240-mile (387km) German stretch of this epic trek begins at the Bay of Lübeck and heads east before ending in the resort of Ahlbeck on the island of Usedom. There are 14 legs to the journey, which can either be traversed in their entirety over a fortnight or walked individually as shorter hikes.
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With the Baltic always at your back, expect salty winds and bustling beaches to guide you on your way along the coast path. Pause at the whitewashed spa town of Heiligendamm and the resort of Warnemünde, with its 18th-century lighthouse. There are also two Hanseatic (medieval merchant) towns along the route, Wismar and Stralsund, which are both beautiful and fascinating to explore. At Ahlbeck you’ll also find the oldest pier in Germany right by the Polish border; Usedom Island is shared between the two nations.
Inspired by local legends of malevolent witches meeting atop Brocken Mountain on Walpurgisnacht (the night before May Day), the Harz Witches' Trail is an enchanting medium-difficulty walk through Harz National Park. Called Harzer-Hexen-Stieg in German, the route intersects with another fine hiking trail, the Goethe Way, as it climbs up the Brocken. The tallest peak in the Harz range, Brocken's summit is mysteriously cloaked in mist 300 days of the year, so don't take the view for granted if you're lucky enough to see it.
To complete the five-leg trail, which can be followed on two different routes, hikers must trek from Osterode am Harz to Thale. The direct hike via Brocken Mountain spans 58 miles (94km), whereas the bypass route covers 66 miles (107km) and swerves the mountain, instead passing through Sankt Andreasberg, the highest mining town in the Harz, and Braunlage. Notable sights along the way include the historic town of Goslar, Bode Gorge and the Upper Harz Water Regale, recognised by UNESCO for its importance to northern Germany's mining heritage.
Sister path to the Rheinsteig, Rhine Castles Trail (Rheinburgenweg) follows the left bank of the river between Remagen and Bingen, taking in the World Heritage-subscribed Middle Rhine Valley. The 13 suggested sections amount to 119 miles (191km) in total, and the entire route can be enjoyed in either direction. If you've only a day to spare, it's worth prioritising the stage between Sankt Goar and the pretty town of Oberwesel. This grants amazing views of the Loreley rock and its statue of a mythological siren, whose story of lost love adds intrigue to the landscape. There are also 24 designated circular routes perfect for day hikes.
There are around 20 castles stationed along this route – some are nothing more than ruins, others, such as Burg Katz, are privately owned and closed to the public. But the Stolzenfels and Sooneck Castles, for instance, can be visited and provide interesting stop-offs. Other features of the Rhine Castles Trail, which is achievable for most hikers, include the world’s highest cold-water geyser at Andernach and the wonderful Ayr winelands, known for Riesling grapes.
Encircling the German capital, the 66 Lakes Trail loops to and from the city of Potsdam. The 17-leg route covers 258 miles (416km) and is ideally suited to even the most casual of hikers, thanks to its fairly flat terrain and clear waymarks. It’s possible to join at any point, although walkers with only a few hours planned on the trail may wish to focus on the stretch from Biesenthal to Wandlitz, which makes up part of the fifth stage and features an idyllic stroll through the Barnim Nature Park.
Vibey Berlin is never more than an hour away from the 66 Lakes Trail, making it a great add-on to a city break if you fancy seeing more of what this corner of Germany has to offer. Aside from the many glassy lakes, the hiking path travels along marshlands and riverbanks, through forests and countryside. Avid birdwatchers can pause with their binoculars at various lookout points, while the stunning Sanssouci Palace presents fine artworks, manicured gardens and intricate Baroque architecture.
Towering above alpine lakes and their tree-covered shores, the Herzogstand to Heimgarten loop makes for a tough but gratifying day hike in the Bavarian mountains. Featuring 10 miles (16km) of upward climbs, ridge walks and scenic views, you’ll need a good head for heights for this trek and should allow yourself seven to eight hours to complete it, factoring in a couple of rest stops along the way. The route begins in the Herzogstandbahn car park, and the only way is up from there.
The ascent to the twin peaks of Herzogstand and Heimgarten may be a demanding one, but the outlooks from their summits couldn’t be a better reward. Sprawling lakes, green foothills and even the silhouette of Munich on a clear day await. There is a small restaurant once you reach Heimgarten, but you may wish to bring your own packed lunch as the menu is limited. This hike is especially busy in high-season, so be sure to get an early start (and avoid weekends) if you’d prefer a quieter experience.
Beginning in Perl, the Saar-Hunsrück-Steig crosses from the state of Saarland into Rhineland-Palatinate via the gemstone-rich town of Idar-Oberstein before ending in Trier, a pastel-hued city on the Mosel River with Roman ruins and medieval features. Snaking for 255 miles (410km) through valleys, vineyards, meadows, national parkland and alpine towns, there are 27 official stages to the route which can also be split into day hikes. Certified as one of Germany’s premium trails, it is signposted throughout and doable for most people with a good level of fitness.
The Saar-Hunsrück connects more nature trails than any other hiking route on the continent. It hugs the curves of rivers and streams on an expedition soundtracked by birdsong and wind-ruffled trees. Discover the unspoilt wilderness of fields and forests in the Hunsrück low mountains and the serenity of the Baybach Valley on this epic trek.
The Eifelsteig starts in Aachen and ends 193 miles (313km) later in Trier. It has 15 sections, creating manageable daily chunks that range from nine to 17 miles (15-28km) in length. Marked by constantly evolving scenery, historic monuments and some taxing gradients, hikers of this route can expect to be enthralled and exhilarated. For a beautiful day hike, head from Daun to Großlittgen, a route that takes you past the two ruined castles of Manderscheid.
With medieval towns, fortresses, ancient pilgrimage sites, nature reserves, volcanic lakes, forests, waterfalls and Roman relics, the Eifelsteig really does have it all. Be sure to explore Aachen before setting off on your way, which is celebrated for its natural springs and was once the imperial capital of Francia. Monschau’s timber-framed old town is also worthy of a mooch around.
Baden-Baden, one of UNESCO’s Great Spa Towns of Europe, provides the launchpad for the Panoramaweg. This 28-mile (45km) premium circular trail negotiates tight gorges, ridges and impressive peaks, making it an intrepid hike comprised of four sections that can be completed over two days. If you’d like to take a more leisurely approach and tackle smaller sections of the route on their own or over a longer period, there are buses operating into Baden-Baden from where each of the four stages end.
With so much to see, from natural phenomena to manmade marvels, it's no surprise the route is called Panorama Trail. Among the countless vantage points along the trail from which to survey the city, the Devil’s Pulpit and Ritterplatte are particular highlights. The ethereal Geroldsauer waterfall and ornate Stourdza Chapel will also get your camera working just as hard as your legs.
Located on the historic border between former East and West Germany, the Rennsteig cuts along a ridge in the Thuringian Forest Biosphere Reserve and consists of eight high-altitude stages, leading into the Slate Mountains and patches of Franconian Forest. Covering 105 miles (169km) from Hörschel to Blankenstein, the trail climbs steadily uphill through spruce trees and meadows before reaching dizzying peaks and important pass crossings. The full trek is best suited to seasoned hikers with experience of exercising at altitude, but some sections (the third and fourth leg, for example) do offer less elevation. Day hikers could choose to tackle a few miles up and a few miles back again.
Being the oldest hiking trail in Germany, at nearly 700 years old, walking the Rennsteig doesn’t come without its time-honoured traditions and unique quirks. It has its own song (Rennsteiglied) and its own greeting (Gut runst!), which hikers use to address one another along the path. Hikers of the full trail must also collect a stone from the Werra river before they set off, which is then handed over to the Selbitz river on completion of the trek for good luck. For a taste of something traditional, head for the beer garden at Thüringer Hütte when you reach Oberhof.
In the shadow of the Wetterstein Mountains, Partnachklamm is an accessible gorge measuring 0.4 miles (700m) long. Its hiking trail is a circular route, running between the limestone walls of the ravine, and takes approximately 40 minutes to complete. Visitors should park at the Olympic Ski Jump Stadium, from where the gorge entrance is a half-hour walk. It's incredibly popular with hikers of all ages who love Partnachklamm's raw beauty and that of its waterfalls, which turn to giant icicles in the winter months.
Even though the Partnachklamm Trail may be comparatively short and an easy ramble for most people, it is still just as enjoyable and impressive as bigger hikes. If you did, however, want to push yourself a little further, Partnachklamm is the starting point for many other trails and day hikes in the region. For instance, from the gorge entrance you can reach the hamlet of Vordergraseck in 20 minutes or carry on climbing to the Eckbauer, the smallest peak in the Wettersteins, before circling back to the gorge.
Once voted the most beautiful walking trail in Germany, it’s easy to see why hikers love the Heidschnuckenweg, especially if you time your visit just right. The route traverses Lüneburg Heath which, as local lore dictates, blooms bright with purple heather from 8 August to 9 September every summer. The 13-stage tour starts in Hamburg-Fischbek and ends in Celle, crossing the Höllenschlucht gorge and sidling past cosy villages along the way. While not completely flat, there is very little incline on the 139-mile (223km) trail, making it comfortable and relaxing on the whole.
The Heidschnuckenweg takes its name from a hardy breed of sheep (Heidschnucke) that populates the heath and naturally grazes the land. These woolly residents like to be left to their own devices, so do keep a respectful distance and allow the animals plenty of space to roam. If you’re taking a day hike along the trail, the stage between Undeloh and Niederhaverbeck is said to be the best, with incredible views awaiting at the top of Wilseder Hill.
Winding through the otherworldly landscapes of Saxon Switzerland, the Painters’ Way (or Malerweg in German) is named for having inspired the works of Romantic artists such as Caspar David Friedrich with its mesmerising beauty. The trail length is 72 miles (116km) and is divided into eight sections, taking an average of 46 hours to complete over eight days. It’s a circular route starting and ending in Pirna, known for its charming old town. The most popular leg for a day hike is the second stage, which features the famous Bastei Bridge.
The Painters’ Way carves through the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, which have formed the backdrop of many a Hollywood fantasy movie (The Chronicles of Narnia and Cloud Atlas to name a couple) in their time. In addition to the Bastei Bridge, other highlights along the trail include the Königstein Fortress, home to the deepest well in Saxony, and Lichtenhain waterfall. Note that the trail can be physically demanding in places, with ladders and some scrambling involved, as well as uneven ground and up-and-down terrain. At the end of each leg, you’ll find plentiful accommodation options.
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