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 country8.5ForumAdd to wishlist

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.
More opinions…

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
» Click to open
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
» Click to close
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
  • 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
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Venice to Rome Cycle Route (900km) Bikeline Map/Guide
  • Venice to Rome Cycle Route - a 900-km long route taking in Ravenna, Florence, Arezzo, Perugia, Spoleto and Terni - presented by the Verlag Esterbauer in a guide with maps at 1:75,000. Extensive information is conveyed by symbols, indicating road surface, campsites and other accommodation, repair workshops, recreational facilities, places of... Read more
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
  • 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
» Click to open
De Zwerver
Netherlands
» Click to close
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
  • 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
Stanfords
United Kingdom
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Netherlands
» Click to open
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
» Click to close
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
  • Vechte Cycle Route: Darfeld - Zwolle (223km) Bikeline Map/Guide
  • A 223-km long route along the Vechte from Darfeld and Münster to Zwolle in the Netherlands 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, repair workshops, recreational facilities,... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • North Sea to the Baltic: Kiel Canal Route (316km) Bikeline Map/Guide
  • A 314km cycle route along the Kiel Canal linking the North Sea with the Baltic, from Brunsbüttel to Kiel, 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, repair workshops, recreational... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Frankfurt am Main Freytag & Berndt Map
  • Indexed street map of Frankfurt am Main at 1:20,000 from Freytag & Berndt with an enlargement of the Sachsenhausen area at 1:10,000. Mapping is bright, colourful and clear, with one-way streets shown, as well as the U-bahn, S-bahn, bus and tram networks with stops clearly indicated.Points of interest such as St. Bartholomeus’ Cathedral, the... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Schelswig-Holstein South Cycling Routes (1090km) Bikeline Map/Guide
  • Cycling routes in the southern part of Schelswig-Holstein presented by the Verlag Esterbauer in guide with maps at 1:75,000. The guide covers two long-distance trails: a circuit around the Holstein Schweiz plus, further south, the medieval Old Salt Road trade route which runs on well-maintained bike paths along the Elbe-Lübeck canal from... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Regensburg and Environs
  • Regensburg and Environs in Bavaria 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 Austria, much of... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
» Click to open
De Zwerver
Netherlands
  • Wandelkaart 176 Regensburg - Amberg - Schwandorf | 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. GPS toepasbaar. KOMPASS-Wanderkarten enthalten alles Wissenswerte für Wanderer wie aktuelle Wanderwege mit... Read more
» Click to close
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Ammersee - Worthsee - Pilsensee 25K Kompass Map No. 791
  • Ammersee - Worthsee - Pilsensee area of Bavaria on a detailed, contoured and GPS compatible map at 1:25,000 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... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
» Click to open
De Zwerver
Netherlands
  • Wandelkaart 791 Ammersee-Pilsensee | 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. GPS toepasbaar. Inclusief een Duitstalig boekje met informatie en routesuggesties. KOMPASS Wanderkarten enthalten alles... Read more
» Click to close
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Germany: ADFC 75K/50K Regional Cycling Maps
  • Waterproof and tear-resistant, GPS compatible cycling maps of Germany at 1:75,000 or 1:50,000 from the ADFC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Fahrrad-Club - the official German cycling federation), with extensive overprint for long-distance and local cycling routes. The series comprise of 78 maps covering Germany’s most popular areas for outdoor... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Stromberg-Murrtal Cycle Route - Idyllic Route
  • Stromberg-Murrtal Cycle Route, 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 accommodation, repair workshops, recreational facilities, places of interest, etc. A list of various types of... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Düsseldorf - Rhein-Wupper Region Street Atlas
  • Düsseldorf - Rhein-Wupper Region Street Atlas in a series of detailed atlases covering the whole of Germany at 1:20,000 with UTM coordinates for GPS navigation, postal codes and public transport, published by ADAC, the country’s largest motoring organization. The plans name all the individual streets and indicate all the main landmarks and... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Landsberg - Ammersee
  • Landsberg - Ammersee (No. 189), 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... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
» Click to open
De Zwerver
Netherlands
  • Wandelkaart 189 Landsberg-Lech-Ammersee | 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. GPS toepasbaar Read more
» Click to close
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Rhein-Westerwald Nature Park
  • Rhein-Westerwald Nature Park north of Koblenz on a GPS compatible, topographic recreational map at 1:50,000 from the survey organization of Rhineland-Palatinate 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
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Augsburg and its Western Environs
  • Augsburg and its Western Environs in northern Bavaria 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 162 Augsburg Westliche Wälder | 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. KOMPASS-Wanderkarten enthalten alles Wissenswerte für Wanderer wie aktuelle Wanderwege mit Markierungen,... Read more
» Click to close
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Lahr –Rheinauen – Taubergießen - Kinzigtal
  • Lahr –Rheinauen – Taubergießen – Kinzigtal area of central Black Forest on a detailed, GPS compatible map at 1:25,000 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... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
» Click to open
De Zwerver
Netherlands
  • Wandelkaart 879 Lahr-Rheinauen-Taubergießen-Kinzi | Kompass
  • • Naturerlebnis und Kulturgenuss zwischen Fluss und Berg – das bietet die Region rund um Lahr/Schwarzwald. Die Stadt liegt im Westen von Baden-Württemberg; etwa 38 km nördlich von Freiburg im Breisgau und 100 km südlich von Karlsruhe; auch Strasbourg am französischen Rheinufer ist nicht allzu weit entfernt. • Der westliche Schwarzwald-Teil um... Read more
» Click to close
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Hanover - Steinhuder Meer - Deister 50K Kümmerly + Frey Map No. 57
  • Hanover - Steinhuder Meer - Deister area in 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. Contour... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Tannheimer Berge - Köllenspitze - Gaishorn
  • Tannheimer Berge - Köllenspitze - Gaishorn area, map No. BY 5, in a series of highly detailed, GPS compatible hiking maps at 1:25,000 of the German Alps, published by the Deutscher Alpenverein, the German Alpine Club, with cartography of the German topographic survey from the Bavarian state survey organization. The maps use the survey’s... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
» Click to open
De Zwerver
Netherlands
  • Wandelkaart BY5 Alpenvereinskarte Tannheimer Berge | Alpenverein
  • De beste en meest gedetailleerde kaarten van met name de Duitse alpen: wandelroutes zijn naar zwaarte onderscheidend gemarkeerd, gletsjeroverschrijdingen staan aangegeven en de verschillende soorten hutten ingetekend. Met als ondergrond de topografische kaarten bieden ze een schat aan informatie voor elke beginnende en gevorderde wandelaar of... Read more
» Click to close
More maps…

Walking holidays

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
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
Snp Wandelreizen
Netherlands
  • Duitsland - Rheinsteig
  • Beleef het mooiste deel van de 320 km lange Rheinsteig, een klassieker onder de Duitse langeafstands wandelroutes. Het pad slingert over de steile wanden van het Rijndal, met uitzicht op de druk bevaren rivier in de diepte. De geschiedenis heeft haar sporen achtergelaten langs deze drukke verkeersader, in de vorm van middeleeuwse vakwerkstadjes... Read more
Aktivatours
Netherlands
  • Bayern en de Zugspitze 6 dagen
  • Van Garmisch naar de top van Duitsland Per ICE trein snel en comfortabel naar Garmisch Partenkirchen. De Zugspitze is met 2962 meter de hoogste berg van Duitsland en ligt in het zuiden van Beieren, op de grens van Duitsland en Oostenrijk. Het gebied is één van de mooiste en bekendste wandelgebieden van Duitsland en Oostenrijk. De route gaat van... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Aktivatours, Netherlands
» Click to open
Aktivatours
Netherlands
  • Bayern en de Zugspitze 6 dagen
  • Van Garmisch naar de top van Duitsland De Zugspitze is met 2962 meter de hoogste berg van Duitsland en ligt in het zuiden van Beieren, op de grens van Duitsland en Oostenrijk. Het gebied is één van de mooiste en bekendste wandelgebieden van Duitsland en Oostenrijk. De route gaat van Duitsland naar Oostenrijk over bergkammen en het prachtige... Read more
» Click to close
Snp Wandelreizen
Netherlands
  • Nederland - Twente
  • Verken de heuvelachtige grensstreek van Oost Twente via het meanderende Dinkelpad, verbaas u over de herrezen wijk Roombeek in Enschede, bezoek het hooggelegen en sprookjesachtige Bad Bentheim, volg het Marskramerpad naar Egheria, verwonder u over de fraaie landgoederen en vele gave Saksische boerderijen, geniet van de rust en kabbelende... Read more
Aktivatours
Netherlands
  • Schwarzwald 6 dagen
  • SPECIAL ! Inbegrepen: treinreis van uw woonplaats in Nederland naar hartje Schwarzwald v.v. per snelle ICE ! Inbegrepen: dagelijkse korte transfers met de lokale stoptreinen (station 100 m. van het hotel) ! De reisleider reist mee vanuit Nederland per trein en loopt alle wandelingen mee Koekoeksklokken, Kirschtorte en 100% natuur Schwarzwald is... Read more
Snp Wandelreizen
Netherlands
  • Nederland & Duitsland - Rijnland
  • Start in Keizerstad Nijmegen en ontdek de natuur van de Millingerwaard en de Ooijpolder. Fiets door het fraaie Landgoed Steprath en de wildrijke bossen van het Reichswald. Bezoek de devote bedevaartsplaats Kevelaer en slenter rond in het historische vestingstadje Wachtendonk. Bereik via het Nationaal Park 'De Meinweg' het station van Roermond.... Read more
Snp Wandelreizen
Netherlands
  • Duitsland - Pfalz
  • Fietsen door de Pfalz vanuit het gastvrije hotel van Familie Hook, idyllisch ondergebracht in een oude watermolen en omgeven door uitgestrekte bossen. Tot buiten de regio is dit hotel bekend om haar 'Feinschmecker-Restaurant'. Het is een prima uitgangspunt voor prachtige tochten: van pittoreske wijndorpen aan de voet van het Pfalzerwald tot aan... 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
Cancel
More questions…