Do you want to get out into nature, but don't want to climb the peaks of the Alps right away?
Flatland hikes are becoming increasingly popular - get inspired by five routes.
Hiking in the mountains can be liberating, idyllic, but above all sweaty.
Day trippers are increasingly looking for alternatives that also lead into nature but are less demanding - so that there is still enough time to absorb the landscape and slow down everyday life.
Heidschnuckenweg
From Hamburg to Celle, the 223-kilometer-long Heidschnuckenweg leads through the most beautiful heath areas of the Lüneburg Heath.
It is particularly picturesque there during the flowering period from the beginning of August to mid-September, when the landscape is slowly being bathed in a strong purple.
In addition, the path leads through pine forests, tranquil villages and moorland areas, so that hikers have a lot of variety.
The route can be divided into 13 stages, which are also suitable for families with children.
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In summer the Heidschnuckenweg blossoms in its purple splendour.
© Irina Hess/Imago
Limes hiking trail
Follow in the footsteps of the Romans: along the Limes hiking trail between the rivers Rhine and Danube, you can see the course of the Limes archaeological monument, which in ancient times served as a border wall for the Roman Empire and the Germanic tribal associations.
On the route you will catch a glimpse of exposed thermal baths, reconstructed watchtowers and replicas of forts - you will also have the opportunity to discover the natural landscape of beech forests, hills, fields and meadows of the federal states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate.
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Mark Country Road
Those who don't feel like mountains are also well advised to take the Märkisches Landweg: 217 kilometers long, it leads right through the Uckermark and the Uckermärkische Seen nature park, the Schorfheide-Chorin biosphere reserve and the Unteres Odertal national park.
The route has hardly any differences in altitude, so you can admire the landscape of meadows, fields and beech and oak forests without burning calves.
If you still want to experience some action on the way, you can let off steam with the bathing and water sports possibilities of the numerous lakes, streams and rivers along the way.
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The Märkische Landweg also leads through the Schorfheide-Chorin biosphere reserve.
© Andreas Vitting/Imago
Baltic Coast Hiking Trail
Hiking and enjoying the sea air - you can do that on the Baltic Sea Coastal Hiking Trail from Lübeck to Ahlbeck.
The section is part of the European long-distance hiking trail E9, which runs in its entire length from the Atlantic in Portugal to the Baltic Sea in Estonia.
On the way you can expect idyllic pine forests and yellow rapeseed fields as well as fine sandy beaches, cliffs and moors.
If you want to take it slower, you can also only walk individual stages of the route - on some of them you can also swing on your bike to enjoy nature.
Hiking trails in Germany: Ten routes full of beautiful views
Hiking trails in Germany: Ten routes full of beautiful views
Altmühl Valley Panorama Trail
On the Altmühltal-Panoramaweg you will experience the wildly romantic rocky landscapes and juniper heaths of the Altmühltal Nature Park on around 200 kilometers along the Altmühl.
However, hikers always have the opportunity to only complete individual stages or even shorten them in order to sit comfortably in a beer garden for a few more hours or to take a break.
The route runs up and down, so there are always meters of altitude to cover, but by no means as many as in a mountain range.
Book tip: Hiking for the soul
In their book “In und um München.
Hiking for the soul”
(advertising link)
proposes well-being paths to let the soul grow wings.
They have put together 20 tours that e.g.
For example, explore the fairytale Nymphenburg Palace Park, the Leutstettener Moos and the picturesque scenery of the Auer Mühlbach.
List of rubrics: © Irina Hess/Imago