Best backpacking trails in Germany

Popular hiking trail with great views in Werdenfesler Land, Bavaria. The 2,962-meter-high Zugspitze is a mountain of superlatives. As the highest elevation in Germany, you have an unbelievable 360° panoramic view of the surrounding Alpine landscape from the summit. This route begins south of Garmisch-Partenkirchen and leads through the Partnach Gorge to the Reintalangerhütte. Up to here, the ascent is still relatively easy. From the Reintalangerhütte, it becomes quite steep and technically...

This route is stage 2 of the Malerweg, a long-distance trail through the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. This segment leads from Stadt Wehlen across the world-famous Bastei to Hohnstein. Highlights include the iconic Bastei Bridge with expansive views, Lake Amsel, and the spectacular Wolf's Gorge (Wolfsschlucht) in the Polenz Valley before the path ends at Hohnstein Castle. Overnight stays are available in guesthouses and hotels in Stadt Wehlen or Hohnstein; camping is prohibited within the...

Popular hike in the Allgäu High Alps nature reserve, Bavaria. This is a short hike in the Allgäu High Alps with great views. The Gaisalptobelweg trail leads from Reichenbach to the Lower Gaisalpsee lake. Hikers are accompanied by the babbling Gaisalpbach stream and several waterfalls. On the way back, we recommend taking a break at the Gaisalpe mountain inn (seasonal refreshment stop). Highlights of the hike: - Stop off at the Gaisalpe mountain inn - Lower Gaisalpsee - Path along the...

This route is stage 1 of the Panoramaweg Baden-Baden, a long-distance trail in the Black Forest. This section starts at the Kurhaus and ends at the lower station of the Merkur Funicular (MerkurBergbahn). The path leads from the historic old town up to the New Castle and continues to the ruins of Hohenbaden Old Castle. Highlights include the spectacular panoramas along the Battert rocks, the Ritterplatte, and the Teufelskanzel (Devil's Pulpit), offering views over the Rhine Valley. Overnight...

This route is stage 4 of the Malerweg, a long-distance trail through the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. This segment leads from Altendorf to the Neumannmühle. Highlights include the imposing Schrammsteine cliffs with their famous viewpoint, the Lichtenhain Waterfall, and the massive Kuhstall rock gate, reached via the narrow Ladder to Heaven (Himmelsleiter). Overnight stays are available in guesthouses in the Kirnitzsch Valley; camping is prohibited within the national park. Surefootedness and a...

Panoramic hike in the Berchtesgaden National Park, Bavaria. This hike begins at the foot of the Jenner at the valley station of the Jennerbahn cable car and leads steeply up to the mountain station of the lift of the same name. Alternatively, you can take the cable car to the summit of the Jenner and then follow the hiking route downhill. The trail leads through picturesque Alpine landscapes with magnificent views of Lake Königssee and the surrounding Berchtesgaden Alps. Following the...

This route is stage 1 of the Malerweg, a long-distance trail through the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. This section leads from Pirna-Liebethal to Stadt Wehlen. The path follows the Wesenitz River through the romantic Liebethaler Grund, passing the Richard Wagner Monument, and continues through the Uttewalder Grund with its famous rock gate. Overnight stays are available in guesthouses in Stadt Wehlen; camping is prohibited within the national park. Potable water should be carried or refilled at...

Stage 1 of the Zugspitz Tour via Reintal, Bavaria. Numerous routes lead to the Zugspitze, with its 2962 m above sea level the highest mountain in Germany. The ascent through the Reintal (Route A) is the easiest, but also the longest of the Zugspitze tours. As a rule, the hike is run in two daily stages. The scenic first stage runs from Garmisch-Partenkirchen along the Partnach and through the Reintal to the Reintalangerhuette (book accommodation in advance). There are no technically...

This route is stage 3 of the Malerweg, a long-distance trail through the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. This segment leads from the castle town of Hohnstein to Altendorf. Highlights include the famous Brand viewpoint, offering expansive vistas over the Polenz Valley, and the descent via 800 steps into the "Tiefer Grund." The path continues through the wild and romantic Kohlichtgraben and along the Sebnitz River to the destination. Overnight stays are available in guesthouses in Altendorf; camping...

Stage 2 of the Zugspitz Tour via Reintal, Bavaria. This is the second stage of the ascent to the Zugspitze from Garmisch-Partenkirchen via the Reintal (Route A). Even if this route is considered the easiest of the Zugspitze tours, the final ascent to the summit of Germany's highest mountain should not be underestimated. From the Reintalangerhuette you hike through partly exposed, rope-secured, fall-prone, stony terrain and overcome almost 1600 meters in altitude over a short distance. The...