Germany

Description

Black Forest - by Henk Nouws

If ever any country takes pride in its romantic legacy, it must be Germany. Put on your hiking boots and headphones and enter the realm of Wagner, Brahms and Schumann, walking through the land of Rhine and Danube, of traditional half-timbered houses, mighty castles and ancient taverns serving excellent food and wine. Most popular hiking destinations are the Black Forest in the southwest, Alsace-Lorraine on the border with France, Bavaria in the south, and forested Thüringen and Harz in central Germany. But there is more to explore. Try an autumn clad Swabian Alb for instance, or spring on the northern island of Rügen.

Not surprisingly, Germany counts over 200 long distance hiking trails, all waymarked and well documented. Walk any European long distance trail, except E2 and E7, and you will pass through Germany! Even if not spectacular in terms of altitude, the varying landscapes can be truly wild and offer wonderful panorama's.

On the negative side, bear in mind that Germany is a modern country. Forests and farmland are exploited efficiently and can be pretty boring.

There are no real difficulties and you can go any time of the year, but higher up snow can make walking difficult in wintertime (and create good opportunities for cross country skiing). Finding food and lodging is never an issue, as mountain huts, hotels, inns and private rooms (Zimmer frei) abound, as do campsites.

Interesting is the current tendency in the country to "certify" trails if they comply to a list of standards. The effect is that some trails get much more attention than other trails. They get the predicate "Premiumweg" or get elected the most beautiful trail of the country. Of course, this does NOT mean that other trails are less interesting. The effect, however, is that while new trails are created, old trails gradually disappear.

Rate this country0.0ForumAdd to wishlist

Map

Map Alps Germany

Trails

Regions

States

Mountains

Books

Cicerone Press, United Kingdom
  • Walking in the Bavarian Alps
  • English, 2012
  • Handy guidebook to valley and mountain walking in the spectacular Bavarian Alps, on the Austro-German border and easily accessible from Munich, Salzburg and Innsbruck airports. 85 routes described from half-day walks to 5-day hut-to-hut treks. Reasonable prices and free public transport make for an easy and affordable walking holiday. Read more
De Zwerver, Netherlands
  • Wandelgids Jakobsweg Via Baltica - Duitsland | Conrad Stein Verlag |
  • Dutch, 2010
  • Wandelgids Via Baltica van Kamminke (bij de Poolse grens) naar Bremen.497km in 26 etappesZum weitgesponnenen Netz der europäischen Pilgerwege ist mit der Via Baltica (Baltisch-Westfälischer Weg) als Hauptader der norddeutschen Routen ein weiteres Stück dazugekommen. Er entspricht großenteils der historischen Hansestraße, die vom Baltikum über... Read more
De Zwerver, Netherlands
De Zwerver, Netherlands
  • Wandelgids Eifelsteig (Duitsland Aachen - Trier) | Conrad Stein |
  • Dutch, 2010
  • Wasser und Fels - wer diese Kombination liebt, ist auf dem neuen Premiumwanderweg Eifelsteig genau richtig. Zwischen den unbedingt sehenswerten Städten Aachen und Trier verläuft die knapp 300 km lange Strecke durch abwechslungsreiche Landschaft und idyllische Eifelstädtchen. Ganz im Norden faszinieren die mystischen Hochmoorlandschaften des... Read more
De Zwerver, Netherlands
De Zwerver, Netherlands
De Zwerver, Netherlands
Cicerone Press, United Kingdom
  • Across the Eastern Alps: E5
  • English, 2007
  • From Lake Constance in Germany, this guidebook describes walking the E5 trek that runs 600km through a remarkable kaleidoscope of landscapes and culture in Switzerland, Austria and Italy, to its destination at Verona. It traverses the Allgauer, Lechtaler and Ötztaler Alps. There is a good network of alpine refuges and guesthouses on the route. Read more
De Zwerver, Netherlands
  • Kompass wandelgids Duitsland - Zwischen Nord-und Ostsee |
  • Dutch, 2003
  • Wandelgids voor het uiterste noorden van Duitsland. Goed beschreven met veel praktische tips voor de tocht zelf.Ein umfangreicher Wanderführer, unentbehrlich, um die Sehenswürdigkeiten und die Einzigartigkeit der Landschaft zwischen der Nordsee und der Ostsee zu erkunden. Übersichtlich gegliedert, mit Karten, Bildern und vielen Infos, die einen... Read more
Cicerone Press, United Kingdom
  • Walking the River Rhine Trail
  • English, 1999
  • A guide to walking a spectacular 170 mile (273km) route following Germany's River Rhine along the Rheinhohenweg (or River Rhine Trail) from the old capital, Bonn, to Alsheim near Worms. Excellent public transport assists the walker. Read more
More books…

Forum

  3. Cancel