The most beautiful hiking trails in Northern Germany

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Hiking in southern Germany to Henneburg in Churfranken

Most beautiful hiking trails in northern Germany and the center

Hiking is trendy. The more remote, the better. Take a break. Enjoy the views. Breathe fresh air. Experience silence. Forest bathing. Discover loneliness. A Picnic make. There are many Places in Germanythat are suitable for this. We are looking for the most beautiful hiking trails in Germany. So we asked travel bloggers which hiking trail they like best. The result is a collection of hikes in Germany that are worth discovering. Let yourself be carried away into hiking regions that show how varied nature is in Germany. Simply put on your hiking boots, lace up your hiking backpack and pack everything you need for a day of hiking. Let's go! Here you will find the most beautiful hiking trails in Northern Germany suggested by travel bloggers.

 

 

What you need for a hike

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Galgenvenn in Nettetal - one of the most beautiful hiking trails in Germany
Forest landscape on the premium Galgenvenn hiking trail in the Schwalm-Nette nature park - hiking trails in Germany

 

Hiking trails in Germany - North

Premium hiking trail Galgenvenn in Nettetal

The Lower Rhine is rather inconspicuous when it comes to hiking. But the Premium hiking trail Galgenvenn in Nettetal is well worth it and in 2016 it was even named the second most beautiful hiking trail in Germany. It is accessible all year round and with 11,2 km (approx. 3 - 4 hours depending on the pace and breaks) it is also suitable for beginners. The path is, however, partly narrow and hilly, therefore not recommended with a pram.

The hiking trail leads through the Schwalm-Nette nature park through the border forest between Germany and Holland, with a flying visit to the Netherlands. Only the last approx. 2 km lead past the edge of the forest over a field - it gets hot here in summer!

The landscape may not have any mountains. But it is no less varied as a result. Typically for the Lower Rhine, the hiking trail leads through forest, meadows, Venn moor and heather. Behind every turn there is a view!

Animal lovers are not neglected either. The Schwalm-Nette nature park is a habitat for endangered and rare animal species such as fish, frogs, newts and dragonflies.

The hiking trail is easy to reach by car. There are parking spaces for hikers in the area and, with Haus Galgenvenn as the start and end point, there is also a place to stop for refreshments. If you want to see more afterwards, you can visit the Sequoiafarm Kaldenkirchen and marvel at 70-year-old sequoia trees!

 

 

About Nilsa Travels

Nils and Isabell from the “Nilsa Travels” blog come from Korschenbroich am Niederrhein and write on their blog about travel tips for city trips, short breaks, day trips and hiking trips in and around NRW. They show on their blog that you don't have to travel far for city trips and landscapes and that you can get that holiday feeling back home within a day.

 

Do you like to travel by motorhome?

 

View of the Buesenbachtal - Lueneburg Heath
View of the Buesenbachtal - Lueneburg Heath - hiking trails in Northern Germany

 

Hiking through the Büsenbach valley in the Lüneburg Heath

During its heyday in August and September, the Lüneburg Heath is a guarantee for a break from Hamburg's city life every year. Therefore, I can recommend this region to everyone for a hiking excursion. The Heidschnuckenweg runs through the area of ​​the Lüneburg Heath. This is a more than 200 km long long-distance hiking trail. From the outskirts of Hamburg to the city of Celle, you can explore the heath area on hiking trails. The Heidschnuckenweg is particularly suitable for beginners. The highest elevation along the way is only 169 meters. Welcome to Northern Germany!

In total, the Heidschnuckenweg is divided into 13 stages, which you can see in detail here. There you will also find information on places to stop for a break. The stages are not circular hiking trails. Nevertheless, you can easily get back to your starting point from many places using public transport. The Heide Shuttle Bus and the Erixx - the "Heidesprinter Bahn" - run in many places along the hiking trail.

My advice? The stage of the Heidschnuckenweg between Buchholz and Handeloh. Here you pass the Büsenbachtal and should plan a stop at the Café Schafstall. After your hike, you deserve the selection of coffee and cake there!

 

 

A different kind of vacation

Isi is part of the blogger duo from Urlaub mal anders. Together with her blog colleague Angie, she reports on travel destinations beyond mass tourism. With them you will find inspiration for travel destinations, accommodations or even one or the other activity.

 

Do you like to have a picnic while hiking?

 

Hiking trails in Germany - Mitte

 

Fisherman's Bastion in Saxon Switzerland
Saxon Switzerland @ Copyright Jürgen Reichenpfader - Hiking trails in Northern Germany

 

Circular hike to the fisherman's bastion

The region of Saxon Switzerland, a nature reserve near Dresden, is beautiful and a hiking highlight. While hiking, you can enjoy a backdrop of forests, the Elbe and rock formations that tower spectacularly into the air.

One of the hiking routes leads from the health resort Rathen in Saxony past the Amselsee and the Schwedenlöcher. We continue up to the Fisherman's Bastion, the main attraction of the region.

The starting point of the hike is at the parking lot in Oberrathen, right by the ferry. The yaw ferry takes you across to the other side of the Elbe. This is where the march begins. The first stage leads to the Amselsee, where you have the opportunity to take a rowing boat. Then it's about 20 minutes on to the Schwedenlöcher. There the path slowly narrows. It winds through the rocks, sometimes over more than 700 steps and ladders, up towards the bastion. After almost two kilometers you will reach the Berghotel Bastei. From there you are at the main attraction of the hike in no time, the Bastei bridge with a length of 76 meters. From here you can enjoy a view of the rocky landscape.

If you like, you can choose a different route back: for example via the Malerweg to Wehlen. From there you can take the train back to Rathen, the starting point of the hike.

You can plan around 3 and a half hours for the hike with breaks and a visit. Distance is about 30-8 kilometers. The hike can be classified as moderately difficult. Good footwear and good physical condition are definitely a must due to the steps!

 

 

About PlacesofJuma

On In PlacesofJuma Martina & Jürgen write about their travels around the globe. The two love photography and are therefore always on the lookout for the most beautiful spots and locations.

 

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Upper Affenstein Promenade
Affensteinpromenade - hiking trails in Northern Germany

 

The Obere Affensteinpromenade - hiking trail in Saxon Switzerland

The Obere Affensteinpromenade is my most beautiful hike in Germany and is located in Saxon Switzerland. The area is known for its rock needles and views. It is located in the east of Germany and offers many walks. The Upper Affenstein Promenade is my favorite. The tour is pleasant to walk on, as it leads along a kind of plateau. It only requires an ascent or descent of almost 300 meters at the beginning and at the end. Due to narrow paths and steep slopes, this hike is not suitable for strollers, wheelchair users, or small children. Older children, on the other hand, are sure to have fun thanks to the terrain.

The Upper Affenstein Promenade is so special because it completely circles the pinnacles of the Affensteine. It offers panoramic views of the Saxon Switzerland National Park. There is also a varied path. This also contains some stairs and ladders that are typical for the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. In addition, with the sand hole, the small Prebischtor or the Idagrotte there are other sights along the hiking route. The tour starts at the hiking car park Nasser Grund and then leads once on the middle level around the Affensteine. You can find the GPS trail in the Blog.

There are no inns or restaurants along the Upper Affenstein Promenade. It is therefore advisable to take food with you for this 4-5 hour hike. The most spectacular picknick place is the Idagrotto, a cave and rock ledge at the same time, which can only be reached via a path and offers views and space to sit (on the rocks).

The hike along the Upper Affenstein Promenade can be done all year round. It is better to avoid rain, snow and ice, as otherwise there is no surefootedness. Anyone who embarks on this tour is guaranteed to come back with impressions and photos.

 

 

Via My-Travelworld.de

If you want to know more about Saxon Switzerland and Christian's travels, you can visit his travel blog My Travelworld. He has traveled to over 70 countries and his desire to travel is still unbroken. Therefore, he is currently touring the world as a digital nomad with a home base in the Dominican Republic. In between, however, he also visits his home town of Dresden and Saxon Switzerland from time to time.

 

You can order hiking maps for Germany here*.

If you purchase via a link marked *, we receive a commission, which we use to run this blog.

 

Kirnitzschtal - hiking trails in Germany
The Kirnitzsch flows picturesquely through the Kirnitzschtal on one of the hiking trails in Northern Germany

 

Hiking trail through the Kirnitzschtal in Saxon Switzerland

One of the most beautiful hikes I've done took me to the Kirnitzschtal in Saxon Switzerland. The Kirnitzschklamm is known to visitors from the boat trips that take place there. It is less well known that you can continue hiking from the terminus of the Kahntour. First of all, from the Buchenparkhalle in Hinterhermsdorf, it goes around two kilometers, almost 200 meters in altitude, downhill to the Upper Lock. With or without a boat trip: the hiking trail follows the course of the Kirnitzsch, sometimes above in the forest, then again below along the bank. The inclines are moderate. The last two kilometers back through the forest are tough again. Because we have to come up the 200 meters back to the parking lot.

We did the hike in summer so we could enjoy the forest in its green and the river with its dragonflies. It is certainly beautiful there in autumn too. Then the mist lies over the water and the leaves change color. It can get slippery in winter or when it rains. The hike is ten to twelve kilometers long, depending on your mood. The small round goes over the Zollweg, the large round to the Niedere Schleuse. Since we were making slow progress, we had enough with the ten kilometer route. There are no rest stops except at the parking lot. It is therefore advisable to take provisions with you. You can unpack it in a place in the forest or by the water.

 

 

About Ferngeweht

Sabine writes about traveling all over the world on her blog Ferngeweht. Mostly it goes into nature, always with respect for the country and its people.

 

Askanierturm at the Werbellinsee - hiking in Germany
Askanierturm at Werbellinsee - hiking trails in Northern Germany

 

Hike along the Werbellinsee from Eichhorst to Altenhof

The 13 km long Werbellinsee is located northeast of Berlin in Barnimer Land. There are hiking opportunities around the second deepest lake in Brandenburg, from walks to difficult hikes.

One of my most beautiful Hikes along the Werbellinsee is the section from the municipality of Eichhorst to Altenhof. It is a moderately difficult route of approx. 20 km. The hiking trails are paved near the communities and become hiking trails on forest floor that is easy to walk on. There are inclines and roots that meander across the path.

The most beautiful time for the hiking trail is late summer and autumn, when the trees in the Schorfheide-Chorin biosphere reserve slowly turn golden.

In Eichhorst, the hiking trail leads along the Werbellink Canal. The 12 m high Askanier tower from 1879 is located here. There is a wooden bridge nearby that leads to the other side of the bank.

There are refreshment stops in both communities. In Eichhorst and Altenhof there is a fisherman who sells fish rolls and smoked fish. Hikers can also fortify themselves in the ice cream parlor or in restaurants serving local dishes. That works, for example, in the Fontane Hotel in Altenhof. Apropos Fontane - it is said that Theodor Fontane was sitting in Altenhof on the bank of the Werbellinsee and said: "It is a fairy tale place where we sit, because we are sitting on the bank of the Werbellin."

If you want to return to Eichhorst after your hike, you can take the Werbellinseebus line 917 in the summer months and on public holidays.

 

 

About GoOnTravel

Anne-Katrin and Anja have been writing about travel destinations around the globe on GoOnTravel.de since 2015. The focus is primarily on Africa, Europe and America. But the reader will also find recommendations about their homeland Brandenburg and their adopted home Sylt (Anne-Katrin) and Berlin (Anja). In addition to travel tips, they have tips on (travel) photography.

 

The Grumsiner Buchenwald - hiking trails in Germany
The Grumsiner Buchenwald - hiking trails in Northern Germany

 

Once through the Grumsiner beech forest in the Uckermark

As city dwellers who live in the heart of Berlin, we love to go out into the countryside at the weekend and just enjoy nature. This is exactly what you can do particularly well in the Uckermark * (Advertisement). Even though we have many ideas for hikes in the most beautiful suburbs in the world, one in particular remains in our memory. The hike through the Grumsin beech forest. The 6,5 kilometer long circular route goes past moors and 180-year-old beech trees. These tower 30 meters above the forest floor. The circular route itself is easy and lies on flat terrain. Since it leads directly through the forest, it is also perfect in summer. The beeches then offer protection. We did the hike in autumn and particularly liked the colorful leaves and the autumn light.

It all starts in Altkünkendorf. In addition to the medieval stone church, there are tips for the hike in the info booth. You start in a westerly direction and turn left at the intersection onto the country road. After a few hundred meters you are in the forest. From here, striking, orange-colored beech leaves on the trees point the way. From now on it goes through a hilly roller coaster landscape, which was shaped by the Ice Age, through the forest that has been left entirely to itself. Don't be surprised if one or the other tree trunk becomes an obstacle on the hiking trail.

At the end of the circular route, what is probably the most beautiful wooden bench stands picturesquely in a field. If you have your picnic with you, you should definitely unpack it here and enjoy the view over the fields and into the forest. And if you feel like hiking even more, you should definitely walk to the Grumsiner distillery after the hike and try the homemade gin.

 

 

About Anna & Clemens from Travelers Archive

We are travel addicts and passionate writers who actually feel most comfortable in Southeast Asian markets, in remote fishing villages in West Africa or on long road trips, but now and then also disappear into Berlin's bacon belt. On our blog Travelers Archive you can find a mix of travel stories and travel reports from all over the world.

 

Loreley RheinBurgenWeg - hiking trails in Germany
Loreley - RheinBurgenWeg - hiking trails in Northern Germany

 

On the way on the RheinBurgenWeg, 04th stage (Oberwesel - St. Goar)

Why is it so beautiful on the Rhine? The question from the folk song can easily be answered by a hike on the RheinBurgenWeg. The Upper Middle Rhine Valley has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002. In the steep valley between Bingen / Rüdesheim and Koblenz you will find castles, vineyards and picturesque viewpoints.

The start of the hike is at Elfenley in Oberwesel, the "city of towers and wine". Past the city wall, it is now longer uphill: Either through the vineyards to the film set “Günderodehaus”, where we take a break with refreshing drinks or pastries and the view of Oberwesel. Or over the adventurous Oelsbergsteig with some alpine climbing passages consisting of step stirrups and ladders. Below the village of Urbar, the path now goes rather flat on the Rheinhöhen plateau to the Loreley lookout point Maria Ruh. Here you can either make yourself comfortable on the numerous picnic benches or stop in the local café with a beer garden.

Now it goes a long way into the valley before the path climbs up to the plateau again. Along the edge of the slope you have views again of the harbor on the Loreley, Katz Castle over St. Goarshausen and St. Goar with the huge Rheinfels castle ruins and the castle hotel of the same name.

This is followed by the descent to St. Goar over many steps, where the stage changes near the train station above the old town.

Why is it so beautiful on the Rhine? You should be able to answer this question by now at the latest.

 

 

About journication

Philipp reports on his travel blog JOURNICATION of experiences and adventures from all over the world. He has already traveled to over 95 countries, but is still deeply connected to his homeland: a village opposite the Loreley Rock in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley.

In any case, we would like to thank all the travel bloggers very much for their hiking suggestions in Northern Germany and in the middle of Germany. A great collection of hikes has come together. Get inspired and use their information for your own hikes in these beautiful places. This hiking trails in Northern Germany are worth exploring. Do you also like going hiking in southern Germany? Then you can find it here, for example the most beautiful hiking trails in southern Germany.

 

Hiking trails Northern Germany
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Source: Hiking suggestions from the participating travel bloggers

Text hiking trails in northern Germany: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline, as well as the participating travel bloggers
Photos: © Copyright Canva and the participating travel bloggers

The most beautiful hiking trails in Northern Germany

Monika Fuchs

Monika Fuchs and Petar Fuchs are the authors and publishers of the Food and Slow Travel blog  TravelWorldOnline. They have been publishing this blog since 2005. TravelWorldOnline has been online since 2001. Their topics are trips to Savor, wine tourism worldwide and slow travel. During her studies Monika Fuchs spent some time in North America, where she - partly together with Petar Fuchs - traveled to the USA and Canada and spent a research year in British Columbia. This intensified her thirst for knowledge, which she satisfied for 6 years as an adventure guide for Rotel Tours and then for 11 years as a tour guide for Studiosus Reisen around the world. She was constantly expanding her travel regions, but curiosity still gnawed at her: "What's beyond the horizon? What else is there to discover in this city? Which people are interesting here? What do they eat in this region?" As a freelance travel journalist (her articles have appeared in DIE ZEIT, 360° Canada, 360° USA, etc.), she is now looking for answers to these questions as a travel writer and travel blogger in many countries around the world. Petar Fuchs produces the videos on this blog as well as on YouTube. Monika Fuchs from TravelWorldOnline is among Germany's top 50 bloggers in 2021. Find more Information about Monika and Petar Fuchs here.

2 thoughts too "The most beautiful hiking trails in Northern Germany"

    1. You're right. We are already thinking about where to hike. Many thanks also for your contribution.

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