As the year comes to a close, it is always great to look back and at all of the wonderful paths we’ve crossed. This post aims to show you all the wonderful paths you have YET to cross! Whether you go out to experience nature or art, yourself or others, adventure or peace, the important thing is to get out there. We hope our favorite trails of the year bring you the inspiration you need to explore more great trails in Germany in 2024.
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‘Same same but different’: Kunstwanderweg XR in Hohen Fläming from Wiesenburg to Bad Belzig on the north route
The year is not over and yet it was difficult for me to make a choice with probably well over 120 tours within 12 months. Nevertheless, this tour has remained a special memory for me, as it manages to make one of the few local certified premium hiking trails with an augmented reality upgrade. The route leads through the undulating landscape of ‘Brandenburg Tuscany’ from Wiesenburg Castle with its magnificent park to the imposing Eisenhardt Castle in Bad Belzig.
What are Premium Hikes?
The Kunstwanderweg, which has been in existence for around 15 years with its many sculptures along the path, was equipped with an ‘extended reality’ function at the beginning of 2023, with the addition of five purely virtual exhibits that can be explored via an app at the stations on site. The existing works of art have been equipped with virtual avatars, whereby the artists explain the works in detail in a 3D representation of themselves.
For some hikers who want to enjoy nature, this technical addition may be overwhelming. However, I think the addition is very useful and interesting, as it offers real added value that you can use or not, depending on your preference. After hiking the route in its new form on my own, I organized another group hike a few weeks later. I simply enjoyed watching the participants rediscovering familiar things and finding a playful approach to the works of art.
The route is around 18 kilometers long and can be easily reached at the start and finish with the regional express train (RE7). Here you can find my detailed photographic documentation of the tour on komoot.
A prolific hiker of the Mark Brandenburg and beyond, Frank is the man behind Wandern-Berlin-Brandenburg, which is a treasure trove for Berlin-based wanderers. Besides his solo hiking activities, he’s also a certified hiking guide and organizes various forms of guided walks and hiking events.
Chalk Coast and Beech Forests on the Baltic Sea
The view that opens up in front of me is absolutely unique in Germany: I am standing on the edge of the legendary chalk coast on the island of Rügen, whose white chalk slopes are over 100 meters high and sometimes drop almost vertically to the Baltic Sea. With a few ups and downs, the “Hochuferweg” (cliff path) leads me through the beech forests of the Jasmund National Park to ever new and breathtaking viewpoints. Somewhere up here, over 200 years ago, the painter Caspar David Friedrich must have found the inspiration for one of his romantic paintings. At several points, it is also possible to take a detour to the stony seashore via steps. With a bit of luck, you may even discover a so-called “Hühnergott” (chicken god), as the flints with one or more holes are called in Germany.
The hike along the cliff path starts at Sassnitz train station. After about 12 kilometers you reach the National Park Center and after another 3 kilometers the village of Lohme, from where buses return to Sassnitz.
Further impressions of this hike, which is particularly worthwhile outside the vacation season, and the GPX track for download are available at wanderfeeling.de or Komoot.
Steffen is an enthusiastic hiker and photographer who enjoys walking in and around Berlin. In his hiking and photo blog wanderfeeling.de he has compiled over 200 day hikes, mainly from Berlin, eastern Germany and northern Germany.
Hochstaufen in the Chiemgau Alps
The Hochstaufen is a striking peak in the Chiemgau Alps, accessible from various directions via Bad Reichenhall, Inzell or Piding. For me, the most beautiful ascent starts in the Inzell district of Adlgass (also accessible by bus with the Inzell village line). This takes you past the hidden Frillensee lake. After an initial section of forest, you soon hike through rocky terrain with some sections secured by ropes. After about 1000 meters of incline, you reach the summit of the Hochstaufen and enjoy the view of the Berchtesgaden Alps, Salzburg and Chiemgau. A few minutes after the summit, you can stop off at the Reichenhaller Haus, a cozy hut in a spectacular location.
There is no road or cable car to the hut and it has to be reached on foot or by helicopter. That’s why you’ll be doing the owners a big favor if you pack a log in your rucksack at the wood storage area and carry it up!
The way back is the same way (or you can descend via the so-called Bartlmahd Weg to Reichenhall and take the bus back to Inzell from there). Total distance of the first variant: approx. 15 km.
Stefanie Dehler lives in the Chiemgau Alps and has been blogging on www.gipfel-glueck.de for 13 years. She writes about hiking and cycling; she enjoys snowshoe tours, skiing, drinking coffee, and traveling worldwide.
Rund um das Große Torfhausmoor
Due to a heel spur I was unable to walk long distances this year. The naturelover in me tried to find shorter hikes which still contained a lot of beautiful nature. The circular hike around the Big Torfhausmoor lived up to my expectations and definitely was my biggest surprise of 2023.
Although only 6 kilometres in length, this hike is a treat for nature and culture lovers. Not only does it offer you a great view on one of the large raised moors of the Harz National Park and the highest mountain of this National Park: the Brocken. It also takes you along the “Oberharzer Wasserwirtschaft”, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Hike the Harzer-Hexen-Stieg – a witches’ trail in transformation
A small part of the moor can be crossed on a boardwalk, which is extremely beautiful when the heather is in bloom. The ‘WaldWandelweg’ along the route offers interesting information about nature finding its way again. The Harz National Park is so much more than a bunch of dead trees. Please go and see for yourself.
The hike starts at the TorfHaus National Park Visitor Center, which is easily accessible by bus and by car. Find the GPX of the route on my Komoot profile.
Corine loves to be out in nature: hiking, biking, camping and preferably a combination of these is wat makes her happy. On her Instagram page @Kruimelmnstr she shares about her adventures and inspires others to enjoy small adventures close to home.
Tegelberg Hike with Views of Neuschwanstein
While the Neuschwanstein Castle is arguably one of the most touristy sites in Germany, to those “in the know” about Germany, there are always ways to experience the magic and grandeur of the famous “Cinderella Castle” without all the hoards of people.
It just means you have to get “Off the beaten path”- Literally!
While the Tegelberg Mountain (located directly next to the Neuschwanstein Castle) and its many hikes are far from “unknown” amongst the locals, they definitely offer quieter moments to appreciate the splendor and beauty of both the Bavarian Alps AND give stunning views of Neuschwanstein that most tourists don’t even know exist.
Check out the Goldsteig – a Premium Hike in Bavaria, Germany
In order to do it, you have to take a semi- challenging Tegelberg hike about 1.5 hours up from Rohrkopfhütte Parkplatz. The trail unfolds through alpine meadows and dense forests but the main event is as you come to a clearing where the sky opens up and you are left breathless with fairytale views of the Neuscwahnstein castle nestled quietly at the foot of the jagged mountains surrounding it. Continue just a little bit further and you can finally rest at the Rohrkopfhütte Alpine Lodge with delicious Bavarian food and drink all while being treated to magnificent views!
Hike Location: Tegelberg Mountain (Next to Neuschwanstein) in Schwangau, Bavaria.
Length of Hike: Approximately 2.5 km (1.5 miles) each way from the Rohrkopfhütte Parkplatz to Rohrkopfhütte Restaraunt (hiking can be extended from the base of the Tegelberg as well as further on to the peak of the mountain)
Getting There: Driving to the Parkplatz is best and easiest, otherwise your hike will have to start at the bottom of the Tegelberg Talstation. You can get there in about 20 minutes from the Neuschwanstein Castle by taking the 78 Bus.
LeAnna Brown is considered the leading Germany Travel Expert. As an expat living in Germany since 2011, her passion for traveling, writing, and sharing her love and appreciation for the culture of Germany has culminated in her #1 Germany Travel Blog, Wander In Germany where readers can plan their own trip with the insider knowledge and tips she has personally discovered and curated.
Hidden gem in the Allgäu Alps
“I think this is the most beautiful tour of the year,” I said to my hiking buddy while still on this tour. And it was only August at the time. The hike from Vilsalpsee to Schrecksee is a real gem in the Allgäu Alps. We began this trail early at Vilsalpsee. This was followed by a steep climb over narrow mountain paths, partly secured with cables. After about 3 hours, it suddenly lay before us in the depths: the Schrecksee. A blue-green lake in an even greener landscape in the middle of the mountains.
Find a carribbean-blue lake in Brandenburg
We descended to the lake as quickly as we could and jumped in. After this refreshment, we continued on to Landsberger Hütte and Traualpsee. At this third lake, it’s definitely worth pausing at the Oberste Traualpe; the homemade cake is delicious. And it strengthened us for the last few kilometers back to the Vilsalpsee. We couldn’t resist: We simply had to get back into the cool water again. The perfect end to this beautiful day of hiking.
Janna has her roots on the Dutch coast and a heart for the Alps. She loves to go mountaineering, try her hand at via ferrata, or go on a tour to mountain huts. Whether summer or winter, whenever possible, she jumps into a mountain lake on her tours. When she’s not on the mountain, she writes about her experiences on her blog Alpen Actief or shares tips on Instagram.
Müritz National Park Trail
This loop took me on an almost flat route in the north of Germany through the Müritz National Park in July 2023. Unlike the other long-distance hiking trails, this time I didn’t stay overnight at the end of each stage, but spent 8 nights in a hotel near the train station in Waren (Müritz) and used the Deutschland-Ticket to travel to the tours. The official length of the trail is 175 km, but if you add the detours to the many observation points, the total distance is much longer.
First I walked for a while along the banks of the Müritz, which at 117 square kilometers is the largest lake that lies entirely within Germany. The hike mostly leads through nature reserves, but in between you also pass many lakes where swimming is permitted. I often walked through beautiful alluvial forests, but also through beech and pine forests or across meadows. I stoped again and again to photograph plants and animals. In a small moor, I saw sundew, a carniverous plant, for the first time in a long time. Because of the rainy weather, only a few butterflies and dragonflies were flying. Even the birds were hiding out from the rain. From an observation platform, however, I was able to take very good photos of young red-backed shrikes. The final stages took me to the Feldberg lake district and the Serrahn beech forests, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Spend a day in Waren an der Müritz
This tour is highly recommended for nature lovers. When planning, however, you should bear in mind that there is hardly any affordable accommodation between stages and that wild camping is strictly forbidden in the national park. Here is my detailed hiking description with more than 100 photos.
In the last 5 years Günter Kromer has hiked more than 12,000 km on the most beautiful long-distance hiking trails in Germany. He presents them on his page D-Wanderer as well as in his book Der Deutschland-Wanderer.
Saar-Hunsrück-Steig – the Saarland part!
To be honest, my favorite hikes of this year either came from previous best trails in Germany posts or were recommended by other bloggers. Last October, C and I began the Saar-Hunsrück-Steig after Anninka wrote a guest post here about it and we saw it in a current issue of the DAV mountaineering magazine. We spent a magical autumn week on the 415 km long trail in western Germany. Beginning in Perl on the French-German-Luxembourg border, we hiked the length of the trail in Saarland to Nonnweiler and then continued for another week at Easter until Sohren. One more week will have us reach the trail’s end in Boppard.
The trail in Saarland is no path to get you from A to B. It meanders and zig-zags making nearly complete loops sometimes in order to make sure you are on the most enjoyable footpaths and that you do not miss any of the region’s highlights. We had such beautiful, warm, sunny fall weather combined with colorful foliage and little to no hikers at the end of October that it all felt like a perfect dream.
This trail of the “best trails in Germany for 2024” is by me, Chris. I am in love with traveling, hiking, and biking all over Deutschland and Europe. As a US American in Germany for over 10 years, I want to help you explore Germany actively, authentically, and adventurously!
Best Hikes in Germany for 2024
That was quite the round up! I hope you have found some new inspiration for your wandering adventurous in the coming year. If you haven’t found what you’re looking for then check out these past favorite hikes to find more great ideas for hikes in Germany for 2024: best hikes in 2020, best hikes in 2021. Be sure to share your best hike in Germany of 2024 with us in the comments or in next year’s post 🙂
Dankeschön!
Herzlichen Dank an alle Blogger-innen, die uns ihre Lieblingswanderwege in Deutschland von 2023 geteilt haben. Thank you to the bloggers for sharing their Best Hikes in Germany with us! Happy Hiking to all in 2024!
All pictures are from the bloggers themselves. Cover photo by Frank Meyer from Wandern-Berlin-Brandenburg.