Would you like to spice up your next excursion with a bit of culture?
Then visit the scenes of German myths and legends.
In Germany there are a multitude of hiking routes to be discovered - but do you also know places steeped in legend, such as the Teufelsmauer in the Harz Mountains or the Externsteine in North Rhine-Westphalia?
If you have always been a fan of myths and legends, then you should definitely take a trip to the mystical sites of this country.
Fitness expert Yves Benchimol from the walking app WeWard gives tips for five exciting walks.
The German Stonehenge: the Externsteine in the Teutoburg Forest
The Externsteine in North Rhine-Westphalia are over 70 million years old and are one of the most unique cultural monuments in Germany.
They consist of almost 40 meter high sandstone cliffs, which are said to have a positive effect on creativity due to an intense earth radiation.
Apparently they also have an eventful history behind them: there is an assumption that the cultural monument is a pagan sanctuary that was later converted into a Christian site.
Even today, visitors can admire the medieval grotto complex and the relief of the Descent from the Cross from the 12th century.
A kind of German Stonehenge for pagans, witches and esoterics.
By the way: The stones are only a stone's throw away from the famous long-distance hiking trail E1.
This stretches 8,000 kilometers through seven countries.
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The Externsteine were probably a pagan sanctuary in the past.
© Jochen Tack/Imago
Pagan sanctuary: The Thorsberger Moor in Schleswig-Holstein
Are you a fan of long walks?
Then you should not miss the 7-kilometer hike in the Thorsberger Moor in Schleswig-Holstein.
There is also an exciting story behind this place: the moor served as a place of sacrifice between the 1st and 5th centuries BC, as archaeological finds show.
Contrary to what the name suggests, the sanctuary was probably not only dedicated to the god of thunder Thor or Donar.
The spirit of the past can be wonderfully experienced and felt here.
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Unique "Devil's Wall" in the Harz - definitely worth a visit
In the Harz Mountains, a jagged sandstone cliff rises like a wall out of the ground over a length of 20 kilometers.
From a distance, the rocks almost look like a sleeping dragon.
The sandstone of the natural monument was formed around 85 million years ago, but the legend that surrounds it is much more exciting: The devil wanted to build a wall up to the sky to divide up the land.
God agreed on the condition that the wall should be completed in just one night by cockcrow.
Shortly after sunrise, however, a maid was on her way to the market with her rooster.
When the first cock crowed, the devil in anger destroyed his wall, which was almost complete.
Hence the name "Devil's Wall".
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The "Devil's Wall" is part of an old legend.
© Daniel Kuehne/Imago
Mystical Gollenstein - and his fertility myth
One of the oldest natural monuments in Germany is located in the Saarland – the Gollenstein near Blieskastel.
The stone, which is almost seven meters high, has probably been there for 5,000 years and probably served a religious purpose.
Later, the Christians appropriated the pagan place of worship and built a small altar.
What is special: The myth says that the stone has a positive influence on the fertility of people, animals and fields.
You will certainly learn more about the legends of the Gollenstein on one of the numerous hiking opportunities around the natural monument.
Hiking trails in Germany: Ten routes full of beautiful views
Hiking trails in Germany: Ten routes full of beautiful views
In the footsteps of Hildegard von Bingen - in the monastery ruins of Disibodenberg
The Benedictines lived in the monastery of Disibodenberg in Rhineland-Palatinate – including the famous seer and healer Hildegard von Bingen.
Today only a ruin of the scene remains, but this is a popular destination for pilgrims and those seeking relaxation.
The Disibodenberg is halfway along the Hildegard von Bingen pilgrimage route, which leads from Idar-Oberstein an der Nahe to Bingen am Rhein.
On site you can trace the spirit of the well-known healer from the Middle Ages.
List of rubrics: © Jochen Tack/Imago