Escape to Nature: The Most Beautiful Long-Distance Trails in Germany

Throughout Germany, there are beautiful hiking trails. Whether you're a casual hiker or a pro, the vast and diverse landscapes offer the right route for every taste. On these long-distance trails, you'll discover a whole new side of Germany - and perhaps of yourself too. We present ten picturesque trails with varying levels of difficulty for your next hiking tour.

In the beautiful Lüneburg Heath, you'll find this relatively easy hiking trail with 13 stages. The Heidschnuckenweg is 223 kilometers long and runs from Hamburg-Neugraben-Fischbek station to Celle Castle. The hiking stages pass through highlights of the heath like Buchholz and the charming town of Schneverdingen.

Even inexperienced hikers will enjoy this as there are neither many elevation changes nor steep climbs. You can peacefully take in the beautiful scenery, walk over boardwalks, explore the mystical Pietzmoor, and unwind in the process.

The Salzalpensteig is a relatively new long-distance trail - it traces the history of salt extraction in the region. It opened in 2015 and is suitable for those venturing into alpine hiking paths for the first time.

Spanning 233 kilometers in 18 stages, you'll discover the magnificent Alps and hike from Chiemsee to Hallstatt in Upper Austria.

A shorter stage of about 100 kilometers runs from Chiemsee to Königssee and is suitable for beginners. Alongside the two beautiful lakes, your route includes the spa town of Bad Reichenhall, the mountaineering village Ramsau, gorgeous views of the Berchtesgaden Alps, and Mount Watzmann.

In North Rhine-Westphalia, you'll find the Eifelsteig. It also hosts the state's only national park. Over 313 kilometers and 15 stages, your hike will take you through the beautiful Vulkaneifel, starting in Aachen or Trier. Besides these two noteworthy cities, the path takes you through the Hohe Venn, Germany's only high moorland.

There are 15 stages, each between 15 to 28 kilometers, passing through attractions like the Mühlsteinhöhlen of Gerolstein and the Butzerbachtal. You can also cross the 30-meter-long suspension bridge.

The Moselsteig runs from Schengen to Koblenz. In 2016, this 365-kilometer-long trail was named Germany's most beautiful long-distance hiking trail. It comprises 24 stages. A route that spans about eight days covers 93 kilometers from Germany's oldest city, Trier, through the vineyards along the Moselle.

Along the way, you'll encounter impressive structures from the Roman era, like the amphitheater or Roman baths. Make sure to also sample the exquisite Moselle wines - after a long and challenging day on the trails, there are numerous opportunities to relax and unwind.

This 124-kilometer route is located in the beautiful Southern Black Forest. In 2011, the Schluchtensteig was voted Germany's most beautiful long-distance hiking trail.

En route, hikers will pass by wild roaring waters below, while high above on towering rock towers, sights like the Räuberschlössle await. Especially the view from Feldberg will make you quickly forget your daily stress. Over 119 kilometers, you can choose between five to six stages of varying difficulty levels.

The Taubertal Panoramic Trail runs from Rothenburg ob der Tauber to Freudenberg on the Main. Divided into five stages, it passes the most beautiful sights of the Taubertal. Over approximately 21 to 31 kilometers per stage, you'll see castles, such as Weikersheim, the spa town Bad Mergentheim, Tauberbischofsheim with the Kurmainzische Castle, and the Kloster Bronnbach and Wertheim.

This trail is a classic: in the districts of Goslar and Göttingen lies the beautiful Harz Nature Park. Over 96 kilometers and seven stages, you can explore the fairy-tale and mystical world of the Harz. The Harzer-Hexen-Stieg passes notable points like the Brocken.

The dam between the Bärenbrucher Teich and Ziegenberger Teich at Buntenbock is also beautiful. Take a break on a wooden bench overlooking the pond.

Nature lovers who appreciate tranquility without much contact with civilization will find the Eselsweg in Hesse perfect. The path is 111 kilometers long and has six stages. Its name harks back to the donkey caravans of the Middle Ages, which brought salt from Bad Orb to Miltenberg for shipment. Its age is estimated to be around 2000 years.

The Spessart, Germany's largest contiguous forest area, awaits exploration here. From Schlüchtern in the Hessian Main-Kinzig-Kreis, it leads southward to Bavarian Grossheubach, near Miltenberg in the Miltenberg district.

In Thuringia, the Rennsteig offers diverse stages, from eight for beginners to four for extreme hiking sports enthusiasts. The 170-kilometer ridgeway is Germany's oldest and most walked long-distance hiking trail. Each year, about 100,000 hikers visit to unwind or push their limits. You start in the Eisenach district Hörschel at the Werra bank; the trail ends in Blankenstein at the Selbitz Bridge.

Head to Franconia's most beautiful mountains! The Franconian Mountain Path leads the way. The route starts in the Franconian Forest at Untereichenstein and spans 428 kilometers to the Pegnitz valley near Hersbruck in the Nürnberger Land.

On 21 stages, hikers can be enchanted by bizarre rocks, romantic forests, or enchanting peaks. There are also many sights to see, such as in Bayreuth, Pottenstein, or Waldassen.

Editor's Note: The article first appeared in June 2021. We've updated it.

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