Would you like to spend the summer hiking and in nature? Then let yourself be inspired by the ten most beautiful trails in Germany?
As soon as the weather permits, many Germans are drawn to the mountains to enjoy nature - imposing peaks, mystical forests and clear mountain lakes invite you to slow down your everyday life. The choice of routes is huge, from Saxon Switzerland to the Black Forest and the Bavarian Alps, hiking fans have no chance of boredom. But which routes are actually particularly popular with Germans?
Germany's most popular hiking trail is located in Bavaria
The holiday home portal Holidu also wanted to know where hikers feel most comfortable and enjoy the most beautiful panoramas and, together with the fitness and outdoor platform AllTrails, analysed the most popular hiking trails in Germany. The result shows that many coveted routes are located in Bavaria – seven of the top 10 are in the southern state. The absolute favourite is the hike around the Herzogstand and the Heimgarten. Both mountains are located on Lake Walchen and together form a mountain range. On the tightrope walk from one peak to another, outdoor enthusiasts have a breathtaking view of the Bavarian Alpine foothills.
+The Herzogstand is popular among hiking fans.
© Westend61/Imago
The top 10 most popular hikes in Germany
Rank | Migration | Place |
---|---|---|
1. | Ducal estate and home garden | Kochel, Bavaria |
2. | Malerweg Stage 2: City of Wehlen - Hohnstein | City of Wehlen, Saxony |
3. | Alpsee Circular Trail | Schwangau, Bavaria |
4. | Eibsee Circular Trail | Grainau, Bavaria |
5. | Schmilka: Rotkehlchenstiege - Heilige Stiege | Bad Schandau, Saxony |
6. | Alpspitz Ferrata | Grainau, Bavaria |
7. | Gertelbach Waterfalls Circular Trail | Bühlertal, Baden-Württemberg |
8. | Zum Schrecksee | Bad Hindelang, Bavaria |
9. | Rubihorn and Unterer Gaisalpsee | Oberstdorf, Bavaria |
10. | From Mittenwald through the Leutasch Gorge | Mittenwald, Bavaria |
Also very popular is the second stage of the Malerweg, which leads from the Saxon town of Wehlen to Hohnstein. The route is part of a 116-kilometre-long route that leads through the mystical Elbe Sandstone Mountains – also known as Saxon Switzerland. The section is very popular with hikers because on the way there is the famous bastion with a viewpoint of the spectacular rock formations.
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The three most popular hiking trails in Germany are rounded off by the Alpsee Rundweg in Bavaria: The route offers a great view of the idyllic natural lake and the surrounding mountain panorama. In addition, the well-known castles Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein are also very close.
Hiking trails in Germany: Ten routes full of beautiful views
Hiking trails in Germany: Ten routes full of beautiful views
Pure hiking: from circular trails to via ferratas
There are also some hiking routes in Bavaria among the other favourites: for example, the Eibsee circular route or the so-called Alpspitz Ferrata, a via ferrata near Garmisch am Wetterstein. From the other federal states, there is also the circular hike from Schmilka via the Rotkehlchenstiege and back via the Heilige Stiege in Saxon Switzerland as well as the circular hiking trail through the Gertelbach waterfalls in Baden-Württemberg.
Category list image: © Westend61/Imago