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.

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Opinions

Rate 8.5 | 2 votes | No 5. in Europe
  • Daniel K McCabe May 2014
  • Rate 10
  • Positive hiing/biking/food accessibility/friendly people(Bavaria at least)
  • Negative having to leave and the fact they make it so hard and costly to live here.
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Map

Map Alps Germany

Trails

Regions

States

Mountains

Books

Cicerone Press
United Kingdom
2016
  • Trekking Munich to Venice
  • Guidebook to Der Traumpfad, 'Dream Way', through Germany and Italy, 570km from Munich to Venice across some of the best scenery in the Alps. Split into 30 stages, the guide also describes 5 alternate stages and a day's via ferrata in the Dolomites. Includes full information and accommodation lists needed for the trek. Read more
  • Also available from:
  • The Book Depository, United Kingdom
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2016
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2016
  • Wandelgids Munich to Venice, The Traumpfad | Cicerone
  • Uitstekende wandelgids die in etappes de route nauwkeurig beschijft. This guidebook describes the 570km (354 mile) Traumpfad or 'Dream Way'; an Alpine trek from Munich's Mariënplatz to the Piazza San Marco in Venice. The route is broken into 30 stages of between 5hrs 30mins and 9hrs, graded according to difficulty, with 5 alternative stages and... Read more
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Walking Verdun: A Guide to the Battlefield
  • On 21 February 1916 the German Fifth Army launched a devastating offensive against French forces at Verdun and set in motion one of the most harrowing and prolonged battles of the Great War. By the time the struggle finished ten months later, over 650,000 men had been killed or wounded or were missing, and the terrible memory of the battle had... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Damascus: Taste of a City
  • “Damascus: Taste of a City” is a touching, thought-provoking book that gives new meaning to what home is and how we experience the feeling of it. It is said: ‘When a man has lived seven years in Damascus, Damascus lives in him.’ Rafik Schami, a prize-winning novelist and exile, lived in Damascus for twenty-five years. Unable to return to the... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Central Moselle Valley - Trier to Zell K+F Outdoor Map 22
  • The central Moselle Valley between Trier and Zell at 1:35,000 from Kümmerly+Frey in a series GPS compatible, double-sided maps printed on durable, waterproof and tear-resistant plastic paper; contoured, with hiking and cycle routes, other recreational activities, etc.Maps in this series are at a scale of either 1:50,000 or 1:35,000. Contour... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
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De Zwerver
Netherlands
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Lübeck - Wismar 50K Kümmerly + Frey Map No. 12
  • Lübeck – Wismar area along the Baltic coast of Germany at 1:50,000 from Kümmerly+Frey in a series GPS compatible, double-sided maps printed on durable, waterproof and tear-resistant plastic paper; contoured, with hiking and cycle routes, other recreational activities, etc.Maps in this series are at a scale of either 1:50,000 or 1:35,000.... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Fischland - Darß - Kühlungsborn 50K Kümmerly + Frey Map No. 13
  • Fischland - Darß - Kühlungsborn area along the Baltic coast of Germany at 1:50,000 from Kümmerly+Frey in a series GPS compatible, double-sided maps printed on durable, waterproof and tear-resistant plastic paper; contoured, with hiking and cycle routes, other recreational activities, etc.Maps in this series are at a scale of either 1:50,000 or... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Starnberger See - Ammersee 35K Kümmerly + Frey Map No. 27
  • Starnberger See - Ammersee area of the German Alps at 1:35,000 from Kümmerly+Frey in a series GPS compatible, double-sided maps printed on durable, waterproof and tear-resistant plastic paper; contoured, with hiking and cycle routes, other recreational activities, etc. Maps in this series are at a scale of either 1:50,000 or 1:35,000. Contour... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Müritz Lake - Neusterlitz 50K Kümmerly + Frey Map No. 16
  • Müritz Lake - Neusterlitz area of eastern Germany’s lake district at 1:50,000 from Kümmerly+Frey in a series GPS compatible, double-sided maps printed on durable, waterproof and tear-resistant plastic paper; contoured, with hiking and cycle routes, other recreational activities, etc. An inset extends coverage to the Wolin Island in Poland.Maps... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Netherlands
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Bol.com
Netherlands
  • Danube Bike Trail 4 Cycling Guide Budapest to Belgrade
  • If you are a keen touring cyclist and are looking for a slightly more adventurous ride in Europe, then this is the tour you are looking for. The 520 to 570?Kilometre long route from Budapest to Belgrad takes you through impressive landscapes, quiet rural villages and beautiful historic towns and cities, with traces of the region's turbulent... Read more
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Württemberg Winelands Cycle Route (360km) Bikeline Map/Guide
  • Württemberg Winelands Cycle Route, a 360-km long cycle trail from Rottenburg on the Neckar across the Tauber Valley to Niederstetten, presented by the Verlag Esterbauer in guide with maps at 1:50,000 showing the route and its variants. Extensive information is conveyed by symbols, indicating road surface, campsites and other accommodation,... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • International Dollard Route - German Fehn Route (429km) Bikeline Map/Guide
  • 429kms of cycle routes in the northernmost part of the German /Dutch borderlands around the Ems estuary presented by Verlag Esterbauer in a guide with maps at 1:50,000. Extensive information is conveyed by symbols, indicating road surface, campsites and other accommodation, repair workshops, recreational facilities, places of interest, etc. A... Read more
More books…

Maps

Stanfords
United Kingdom
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Oberstaufen - Westallgäu - Adelegg - Lindenberg - Isny - Wangen
  • Oberstaufen - Westallgäu - Adelegg - Lindenberg - Isny – Wangen area of the German Alps at 1:35,000 from Kümmerly+Frey in a series GPS compatible, double-sided maps printed on durable, waterproof and tear-resistant plastic paper; contoured, with hiking and cycle routes, other recreational activities, etc.Maps in this series are at a scale of... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Havelland
  • Havelland (No. 745), a detailed, GPS compatible map at 1:50,000 from Kompass with local and long-distance footpaths, cycling routes, accommodation, etc, printed on durable, waterproof and tear-resistant synthetic paper.KOMPASS HIKING & RECREATIONAL MAPS:This title is part of an extensive series covering Austria, much of Germany and the... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
» Click to open
De Zwerver
Netherlands
  • Wandelkaart 745 Havelland | Kompass
  • Goede wandelkaart met vrijwel alle topografische details en ingetekende routes. Ook met symbolen voor toeristische bezienswaardigheden, register. Berghutten duidelijk weergegeven. Gevaarlijke wandelroutes zijn goed herkenbaar. Inclusief een Duitstalig boekje met informatie en routesuggesties. Nu op scheur- enb watervast papier. Read more
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Frosch Cycle Tour: North-Eastern Saxony (274km) Bikeline Map/Guide
  • Frosch Cycle Tour, a cycling circuit of 274 kilometres across the landscape of heath and 1000 ponds in the north-eastern Saxony to the chorus of frogs, presented by the Verlag Esterbauer in a guide with maps at 1:50,000 showing the route and its variants. Extensive information is conveyed by symbols, indicating road surface, campsites and other... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Germany: Marco Polo 200K Regional Road Maps
  • Germany on 13 large regional maps at 1:200,000 in the MairDumont’s Marco Polo series, prominently highlighting interesting locations and protected areas. In each title an index booklet attached to the map cover has street plans and access maps of main cities, descriptions of 15 best sights, plus where appropriate plans of main airports and/or... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Saar-Hunsrück Nature Park (2-map set)
  • Saar-Hunsrück Nature Park on a set of two GPS compatible, topographic recreational maps at 1:50,000 from the survey organizations of Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland with cartography identical to the standard topographic survey of Germany but with additional extensive overprint highlighting local and long-distance hiking trails, cycle routes,... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
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De Zwerver
Netherlands
» Click to close
Stanfords
United Kingdom
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Evolène Swisstopo 1327
  • Map No. 1327, Evolène, in the topographic survey of Switzerland at 1:25,000 from Swisstopo, with coverage extending from Zinal southwards to Dent Blanche and including in its western half the upper part of Val d’Hérens with La Forclaz and Les Haudères, plus part of the Arolla Valley.Swiss topographic survey at 1:25,000 covers the whole country... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
» Click to open
De Zwerver
Netherlands
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Obere Donau - Baar - Donaueschingen 35K Kümmerly + Frey Map No. 53
  • Obere Donau - Baar - Donaueschingen area of south-western Germany at 1:35,000 from Kümmerly+Frey in a series GPS compatible, double-sided maps printed on durable, waterproof and tear-resistant plastic paper; contoured, with hiking and cycle routes, other recreational activities, etc.Maps in this series are at a scale of either 1:50,000 or... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Märkischer Kreis - Ebbegebirge
  • Märkischer Kreis - Ebbegebirge (No. 749), a detailed, GPS compatible map at 1:50,000 from Kompass with local and long-distance footpaths, cycling routes, accommodation, etc, printed on durable, waterproof and tear-resistant synthetic paper.KOMPASS HIKING & RECREATIONAL MAPS:This title is part of an extensive series covering Austria, much of... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
» Click to open
De Zwerver
Netherlands
  • Wandelkaart 749 Märkischer Kreis-Ebbegebirge | Kompass
  • Nu de nieuwste watervaste en scheurvaste uitgave van deze prachtig gedetailleerde wandel- en fietskaart. KOMPASS-Wanderkarten enthalten alles Wissenswerte für Wanderer wie aktuelle Wanderwege mit Markierungen, empfehlenswerte Radrouten und wichtige touristische Informationen. Der topographische Inhalt wird bei aller Detailgenauigkeit leicht... Read more
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Hamburg and the Elbe Estuary
  • Hamburg and the Elbe Estuary area of northern Germany on a detailed, GPS compatible map at 1:50,000 from Kompass with local and long-distance footpaths, cycling routes, accommodation, etc, printed on durable, waterproof and tear-resistant synthetic paper.KOMPASS HIKING & RECREATIONAL MAPS: this title is part of an extensive series covering... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
» Click to open
De Zwerver
Netherlands
  • Wandelkaart 726 Hamburg-Altes Land | Kompass
  • Goede wandelkaart met vrijwel alle topografische details en ingetekende routes. Ook met symbolen voor toeristische bezienswaardigheden, register. Berghutten duidelijk weergegeven. Gevaarlijke wandelroutes zijn goed herkenbaar. Inclusief een Duitstalig boekje met informatie en routesuggesties. GPS toepasbaar Read more
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Ulm and Blaubeuren Jura
  • Ulm and the Blaubeuren Jura in eastern Baden-Württemberg on a detailed, GPS compatible map at 1:50,000 from Kompass with local and long-distance footpaths, cycling routes, accommodation, etc, printed on durable, waterproof and tear-resistant synthetic paper.KOMPASS HIKING & RECREATIONAL MAPS: this title is part of an extensive series covering... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
» Click to open
De Zwerver
Netherlands
  • Wandelkaart 788 Ulmer Alb - Blaubeurer Alb | Kompass
  • • Die Schwäbische Alb ist eine Landschaft zum Verlieben: Kalkklippen ragen über Wälder und gepflegte Felder, dazwischen liegen nette Dörfer und alte Bauernhöfe ... Naturliebhaber finden in der Schwäbischen Alb natürlich auch eine Vielzahl besonderer Kostbarkeiten – etwa die Blauhöhle mit ihrem türkisgrünen Wasserabfluss, dem Blautopf. • Der... Read more
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Usedom Island 50K Kümmerly + Frey Map No. 15
  • Usedom Island on the Baltic coast of Germany at 1:50,000 from Kümmerly+Frey in a series GPS compatible, double-sided maps printed on durable, waterproof and tear-resistant plastic paper; contoured, with hiking and cycle routes, other recreational activities, etc. An inset extends coverage to the Wolin Island in Poland.Maps in this series are at... Read more
More maps…

Walking holidays

Macs Adventure
United Kingdom
  • The Harz Witches Trail
  • Self Guided trail across The Harz, a magical region famed for fairy tales, witches and legends. One of the “Top Trails of Germany” the Harz Witches Trail long distance walking trail crosses The Harz, a magical region famed for fairy tales, witches and legends. Just a short journey from Berlin the Harz mountains rise from the North German... Read more
Macs Adventure
United Kingdom
  • The King Ludwig Way
  • Self guided walking tour through Upper Bavaria on the King Ludwig Way to Neuschwanstein Castle. Follow the King Ludwig Way, one of Germany’s best known footpaths, through beautiful Upper Bavaria to King Ludwig’s Neuschwanstein Castle. The route was featured in Julia Bradbury’s BBC German Wanderlust series and shouldn’t be missed. Beginning at... Read more
Macs Adventure
United Kingdom
  • Across the Tyrolean Alps Self Guided Walking Holiday
  • Walk from Bavaria up over the high Austrian Tyrolean Alps to Innsbruck. Walk from Bavaria up over the high Austrian Tyrolean Alps to Innsbruck. Follow the high alpine route across the imposing Wetterstein and Karwendel massifs amidst a landscape of soaring, alpine peaks, deep gorges and rich, flower filled pastures. Staying in rustic mountain... Read more
Macs Adventure
United Kingdom
  • Castles of the Romantic Rhine
  • Self guided walking tour along the best of the Rheinsteig in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley; home to more than 30 castles. The picture-book Upper Middle Rhine Valley is perfect for walkers and wine lovers. Discover countless (more than 30!) hilltop castles and stately homes as you follow the Rheinsteig hiking trail along the eastern side of this... Read more
Macs Adventure
United Kingdom
  • Castles of the Romantic Rhine In Style
  • Self guided walking tour, staying at 4-star castle and wine hotels as you walk along the best part of the Rheinsteig. Stay in authentic castle hotels and wineries as you walk along the River Rhine. Follow the Rheinsteig, one of Germany’s Top Trails, as you wind your way between over 30 castles and palaces. In our opinion this is the best part... Read more
Macs Adventure
United Kingdom
  • Bavaria & The Leutasch Valley Self Guided Walking Holiday
  • This beautiful and peaceful Leutasch Valley area on the Bavarian and Austrian border will be yours to explore. This idyllic Alpine trail meanders through the tranquil and colourful Leutasch Valley abundant with wild flowers and green pastures. Marvel at the spectacular mountain views towards Zugspitze - Germany’s highest mountain, breathe in... Read more
Macs Adventure
United Kingdom
  • Saxon & Bohemian Switzerland
  • Self guided walking tour in Saxon Switzerland. Saxon Switzerland, or the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, is one of the most captivating of parts of eastern Germany. Saxon Switzerland lies either side of the River Elbe south of Dresden and crosses into the Czech Republic; the contrast between riverscapes and dramatic rock outcrops makes for a unique... Read more
Macs Adventure
United Kingdom
  • Deer Trails of the Black Forest
  • Self guided walking tour in Germany's Northern Black Forest. Deer Trails of the Black Forest is a classic self-guided walking tour through the nature reserves and woodland of the Northern Black Forest, to the north of Freudenstadt. The route includes both the largest area of upland moorland in the whole of Germany and the Mummelsee Lake, both... Read more
Macs Adventure
United Kingdom
Snp Wandelreizen
Netherlands
  • Duitsland - Berlijn
  • Berlijn maakt na 100 jaar roerige geschiedenis een enorme inhaalslag. Moderne architectuur verrijst op de Mauerstreifen, 19e-eeuwse wijken worden opgeknapt en wereldberoemde monumenten krijgen een facelift. Kunstenaars en studenten zorgen in deze groene stad - met zijn trendy cafés, eethuisjes en galeries - voor een relaxte sfeer. Stedentrip... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Snp Wandelreizen, Netherlands
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Snp Wandelreizen
Netherlands
  • Duitsland - Berlijn
  • Berlijn is een heerlijke fietsstad met routes van Kreuzberg tot Alexanderplatz en van Reichstag tot Charlottenburg. Je fietst langs de 'Muur', het kronkelend water van de Spree en beklimt de 'Berlijnse Bergen'. Fiets naar de Brandenburger Tor en de Kurfürstendamm, maar ook naar trendy wijken vol cafeetjes, galerietjes en pleintjes. Alles vanuit... Read more
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Aktivatours
Netherlands
  • Sonthofen Allgäuer Alpen 8 dagen
  • Wandelen en langlaufen in de Allgäuer Alpen Actief bezig zijn in een prachtige omgeving, dat zijn de woorden voor deze reis. U reist af naar het zuidelijkste stadje van Duitsland: Sonthofen. Door de centrale ligging zijn de langlaufgebieden Oberstdorf en Kleinwalsertal gemakkelijk te bereiken en zeker de moeite waard door het uitgebreide en... Read more
Snp Wandelreizen
Netherlands
  • Duitsland - Te voet over de Alpen, etappe 1
  • Zu Fuss über die Alpen. Der Traumpfad von München nach Venedig. Ludwig Grasslers klassieker beschrijft een aaneengesloten wandelroute dwars over de Alpen. SNP zet het transalpiene kroonjuweel in de etalage. In vier etappes van München naar Venetië. Een adembenemende oversteek. En meer dan dat. “Das ist Ausdruck eines Lebensgefühls”. Ruim... Read more
Aktivatours
Netherlands
  • Eifelsteig Steinfeld-Hillesheim 5 dagen
  • De Schneifel - midden in de Eifel Voor eens en voor altijd willen we afrekenen met het onterechte imago van het Duitse woord ´´Steig´´. Dat betekent gewoon pad of wandelpad, en heeft dus echt niks te maken met al dan niet constant stijgen of omhoog lopen! De Eifelsteig is een zorgvuldig samengestelde wandelroute door het prachtige... Read more
Snp Wandelreizen
Netherlands
  • Duitsland - Ruhrtal
  • Verrassend afwisselende fietsvakantie dichtbij huis. Volg de kronkelende Ruhr vanaf de bron in de groene heuvels van Sauerland. De rivier leidt je langs pittoreske vakwerkstadjes naar het fascinerende industriële erfgoed in het Rurhgebied. De rokende fabrieken en hoogovens van weleer herbergen tegenwoordig geweldige musea en hippe restaurants.... Read more
Aktivatours
Netherlands
  • Beierse Alpen en meren 7 dagen
  • Wandelen tussen de Tegernsee en Wendelstein Wandelen tussen bergen en meren. U start bij de Tegernsee een levendig meer geliefd bij zeilers. Door de prachtige Beierse Alpen loopt u via de Schliersee en Spitzingsee naar Bayrsichzell aan de voet van de Wendelstein-Alm. Read more
More walking holidays…

Forum

  3. Cancel
  • emputt 2016-02-16 01:33:51
  • Long distance hike in end of May/June?
  • Hi there,

    I am from the USA and am looking to do a long-distance hike in the end of May through early June, was thinking of doing about 21 days (give or take) and covering anywhere from 100-375km in that time (upper end would have to be an easier trail to cover the distance in my allotted time) and was initially looking into Europe (particularly Germany) but am really up to go anywhere in the world.

    What I want from it:
    - Stunning scenery - ideally GREEN landscape/rolling hills/mountains/forests to rivers to castles, etc etc.
    - Scattered small villages along the trail (they don't have to be every night but maybe every 3 nights at least?)
    - Not super overpopulated

    Any help would be much appreciated! Thank you!!
    Emily
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More questions…