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Best trails in North Rhine-Westphalia

Best trails in North Rhine-Westphalia

4.1(55,000 reviews)

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Ready to unearth the best trails in North Rhine-Westphalia for walking, mountain biking, climbing or other outdoor activities? AllTrails has 6,354 walking trails, mountain biking routes, backpacking trips and more. Discover hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. No matter what you're looking for, you can find a diverse range of the best walking trails in North Rhine-Westphalia to suit your needs. Explore one of 839 family-friendly walks for a sunny weekend. Check out 23 wheelchair-friendly trails with helpful accessibility guidance. Plan your next outdoor adventure to one of 4,443 routes with waterfalls or scenic views.

Top trails

  1. #1 - Bird Watching Tour: From Vogelsang over the Urftseebrücke

    4.4 (444)·Moderate·12.7 km·Est. 4–4.5 hr
    Popular circular hike in the Eifel National Park, North Rhine-Westphalia This route, which is part of the "Tippeltouren Eifel", begins at Vogelsang Castle, where hikers interested in history like to take a look around. From there it leads to the Dreiborn plateau, which offers wonderful panoramic views of the nature of the national park. From there it goes down and a bit through the forest to the Urfttalsperre and along the lake back to the starting point. There is a restaurant at the visitor...

  2. #2 - Urft Dam and Hirschley

    4.6 (390)·Moderate·10.5 km·Est. 3–3.5 hr
    Scenic circular route in the Eifel National Park, North Rhine-Westphalia This beautiful Eifel hike can be walked in both directions. No matter which direction, one of the most beautiful vantage points in North Rhine-Westphalia awaits! The hike begins at the car park at the Rurberg pumping station, near Paulushofdamm. The dam is crossed and then it goes either to the left steeply up into the forest and to the Hirschley viewpoint or to the right along the banks of the Urft to the Urfttalsperre...

  3. #3 - Winterberger Schluchten- und Brückenpfad

    4.4 (345)·Moderate·4 km·Est. 1–1.5 hr
    Wild and romantic circular route in the Sauerland, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany This beautiful route is one of the most spectacular in the Sauerland! In this wildly romantic valley, it suddenly looks like you're in another world. In the shape of a figure eight, a landscape full of bizarre beauty can be experienced here. At the beginning, the route follows the Rothaarsteig long-distance hiking trail for a short distance, before later passing through the Helletal valley, where steep rock...

  4. #4 - Monschau Rur Valley Circular 35

    4.5 (367)·Moderate·8 km·Est. 2.5–3 hr
    Scenic hike in Monschau, North Rhine-Westphalia. On this route, hikers experience in an impressive way how, in Monschau, town and nature form a harmonious, seamlessly merging unit. Let's start at the Burgau multi-story car park in Monschau. The path is marked with the number 35 and leads through the idyllic Rur valley. Here you can enjoy the views of the former cloth-making town, often referred to as the "Pearl of the Eifel" or "Rhenish Rothenburg". Highlights of the route: - Beautiful...

  5. #5 - Water Landscape Route

    4.6 (238)·Hard·16.9 km·Est. 4.5–5 hr
    Popular circular route in the Eifel National Park, North Rhine-Westphalia. This scenic tour is all about the water. The starting point is in Einruhr, and it goes through the lush deciduous forests near the banks of the Obersee. After crossing the impressive Urftsee dam, the path runs along the banks of the Obersee in the direction of Rurberg. After crossing the Paulushofdamm, there are cafés and a snack bar in the village. On the lake's western shore, it then returns to Einruhr. If the whole...

  6. #6 - Dörenther Cliffs

    4.6 (289)·Moderate·10.6 km·Est. 3–3.5 hr
    Popular premium hiking trail in the Teutoburg Forest, North Rhine-Westphalia. The Teutoschleife Dörenther Klippen is a certified premium hiking trail. The sandstone cliffs that give the trail its name, which were formed 140 million years ago as sandbanks and deposits of a primeval sea, tower over 40 m high and offer a breathtaking view over the entire Münsterland region. Other formations worth seeing along the way are the Dreikaiserstuhl, the Königsstein and the "Das hockende Weib". The...

  7. #7 - Siebengebirgs Circular: Löwenburg - Drachenfels

    4.6 (284)·Hard·14.3 km·Est. 5–5.5 hr
    Historic circular hiking trail in the Siebengebirge Nature Park, North Rhine-Westphalia. This varied hike starts in Rhöndorf and leads along narrow paths past two castle ruins - Drachenfels Castle (late 19th century) and Löwenburg Castle (built in the 13th century). The route offers a marvellous view of the Rhine and the surrounding area. There are refreshment stops along the way. From the Ziepchesplatz car park, the route climbs steeply uphill. Some of the paths are quite rooty, which is...

  8. #8 - Monschau and Perlenbach Dam

    4.6 (153)·Moderate·11.4 km·Est. 3–3.5 hr
    Idyllic and scenic circular route near Monschau in North Rhine-Westphalia. This idyllic and very varied circular route starts at the large Burgau car park in Monschau and first leads onto the Eifelsteig trail and from there towards Teufelsley and Engelsley. Here you can enjoy marvellous views of the valley. The route then follows hiking trail no. 55 to the Perlenbach dam. The route returns to the starting point of the tour via the Klosterweg. Monschau Castle can optionally be visited at the...

  9. #9 - Neandertal - Short Circular

    4.6 (260)·Moderate·9.5 km·Est. 2.5–3 hr
    Educational, near-natural circular hiking trail in the Bergisches Land, North Rhine-Westphalia. Aurochs, tarpans, bison, primeval horses - all rare animals that became extinct in Europe hundreds of years ago. Here in the Neanderthal Ice Age Game Reserve, which is managed by the district of Mettmann, all these animals can be found on an area of more than 23 hectares. Highlights of the hike: - Neanderthal Museum - Rare animal species

  10. #10 - Königswinter - Drachenfels - Milchhäuschen - Hirschburg

    4.6 (203)·Moderate·6.9 km·Est. 2.5–3 hr
    Panoramic hiking trail in Königswinter, North Rhine-Westphalia. The trail starts at the car park in Königswinter. The starting point can also be reached by public transport. This beautiful hike begins with an ascent to Drachenfels Castle near Königswinter. This ascent is rewarded with a magnificent view. From there, the route continues to the Milchhäuschen, where you can stop for refreshments (note opening times). From there, the route returns past Hirschburg Castle on the Hirschberg. A...
Showing results 1–10 of 6,354
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Frequently asked questions

What national parks in North Rhine-Westphalia have hiking trails?

Hikers on AllTrails.com recommend several popular national parks in North Rhine-Westphalia. Eifel National Park is home to 111 hiking trails with an average 4.2 star rating from 3,161 community reviews.

What are the different types of hiking trails in North Rhine-Westphalia?

There are plenty of things to do on North Rhine-Westphalia's hiking trails. On AllTrails.com, you'll find 3,807 hiking trails, 781 road biking trails, 774 trail running trails, and more.

What is the longest trail in North Rhine-Westphalia?

According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in North Rhine-Westphalia is From Menden to Schöngau on the Königssee. This trail is estimated to be 1,504.6 km long.

Which trail has the most elevation gain in North Rhine-Westphalia?

North Rhine-Westphalia: With an ascent of 25,710 m, From Menden to Schöngau on the Königssee has the most elevation gain of all of the trails in the area. The next highest ascent trail is Radweg Deutsche Einheit with 19,124 m of elevation gain.

What is the most popular and difficult trail in North Rhine-Westphalia?

The most popular and difficult trail in North Rhine-Westphalia is Water Landscape Route with a 4.6-star rating from 238 reviews.

Are there camping trails available in North Rhine-Westphalia?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 902 camping trails in North Rhine-Westphalia and the most popular is Bird Watching Tour: From Vogelsang over the Urftseebrücke with an average 4.4 star rating from 435 community reviews.

Are there running trails available in North Rhine-Westphalia?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 774 running trails in North Rhine-Westphalia and the most popular is Bird Watching Tour: From Vogelsang over the Urftseebrücke with an average 4.4 star rating from 435 community reviews.

Are there biking trails available in North Rhine-Westphalia?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 1253 biking trails in North Rhine-Westphalia and the most popular is Externsteine with an average 4.4 star rating from 171 community reviews.

Are there any trails with scenic mountain peak views in North Rhine-Westphalia?

Are there any trails with picnic areas in North Rhine-Westphalia?

Yes, there are 423 trails with picnic areas in North Rhine-Westphalia, including Urft Dam and Hirschley, Wilder Kermeter and Hirschley, Beech Halls and Oak Slopes, "Wilden Kermeter" Circular Route and Kahler-Asten-Steig.

Are there any trails with castles in North Rhine-Westphalia?

Are there any trails with ponds in North Rhine-Westphalia?

Are there any trails with rivers in North Rhine-Westphalia?

Are there any trails with archaeological sites in North Rhine-Westphalia?

Yes, there are 749 trails with archaeological sites in North Rhine-Westphalia, including Dörenther Cliffs, Externsteine , Kahlen Asten Circular Route, Externsteinen and Falkenburg Circular and Winterberg - Kahler Asten - Hoher Knochen.

Are there any trails with weather shelters in North Rhine-Westphalia?

Are there any trails with lakes in North Rhine-Westphalia?

Yes, there are 633 trails with lakes in North Rhine-Westphalia, including Wolfs Lake, Unterbacher Lake Circular Route, Königsforst Circuit, Westruper Heide and Halterner Reservoir Circular and On the Rhine in Bonn.

Are there any trails with huts in North Rhine-Westphalia?

Are there any trails with historical ruins in North Rhine-Westphalia?

Are there any trails with scenic viewpoints in North Rhine-Westphalia?

Are there any trails with beaches in North Rhine-Westphalia?

Are there any trails with springs in North Rhine-Westphalia?

Yes, there are 619 trails with springs in North Rhine-Westphalia, including Urft Dam and Hirschley, Dörenther Cliffs, Wilder Kermeter and Hirschley, Löwenburg Castle Circular and Heimbach Reservoir.

Are there any trails with historical monuments in North Rhine-Westphalia?

Are there any trails with caves in North Rhine-Westphalia?

Are there any trails with dams in North Rhine-Westphalia?

Yes, there are 209 trails with dams in North Rhine-Westphalia, including Urft Dam and Hirschley, Water Landscape Route, Nationalpark auf einen Blick, Rursee Circular and Rurberg-Wollseifen Circular Route.

Are there any trails with streams in North Rhine-Westphalia?

Are there any trails with canals in North Rhine-Westphalia?

Yes, there are 52 trails with canals in North Rhine-Westphalia, including Kemnader Lake Circular, Bevergerner Pättken, Hardenstein Circular Route, Um das Nasse Dreieck and The Rhenish Donkey (Circular).

Are there any trails with cliffs in North Rhine-Westphalia?

Yes, there are 136 trails with cliffs in North Rhine-Westphalia, including Dörenther Cliffs, Externsteine , Baldeneysee Circular, Externsteinen and Falkenburg Circular and Dörenther Cliffs Loop.

Are there any trails with bird hides or bird blinds in North Rhine-Westphalia?

Yes, there are 22 trails with bird hides or bird blinds in North Rhine-Westphalia, including Witte Veen 3 (Ahaus Nr. 14), Zwillbrock Venn, Steinhorst Loop, Ems Cycle Route Stage 1: Hövelhof - Rheda-Wiedenbrück and Grüner See Lake (Ratingen A10).

Are there any trails with wilderness hides or viewing shelters in North Rhine-Westphalia?

Are there any trails with volcano viewpoints in North Rhine-Westphalia?

Are there any trails with waterfalls in North Rhine-Westphalia?

Are there any trails with hot springs in North Rhine-Westphalia?

Yes, there are 3 trails with hot springs in North Rhine-Westphalia, including VitalWanderWelt - Südlicher Sachsenring Bad Driburg, Rosenberg and VitalWanderWelt - Nördlicher Sachsenring Bad Driburg.

Are there any trails with forts in North Rhine-Westphalia?

Are there any trails with sun shelters in North Rhine-Westphalia?

Yes, there is one trail with a sun shelter in North Rhine-Westphalia: Rund um die Große Höhe und Markusberg.

Are there any trails with bays in North Rhine-Westphalia?

Yes, there are 9 trails with bays in North Rhine-Westphalia, including Rursee Circular, Rursee: Nice View, Rurtalsperre and Obersee, Four Lakes and MTB Tour: Vogelsang - Rurtalsperre - Einruhr.

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