13 hiking trails along streams, rivers and coastlines

Neckarsteig – tracing the Staufer dynasty

Heidelberg: The castle above the old town with the Church of the Holy Spirit and the old Neckar Bridge ©DZT (Francesco Carovillano)

Embark on a 128-kilometre journey along the picturesque Neckarsteig Trail that includes an architectural marvel: the Heidelberg Castle. Remnants of the Staufer royalty, including their castles and ruins, dot the landscape and lead visitors to the majestic Kaiserpfalz in Bad Wimpfen. Service is a top priority along the route: each of the nine stages is sustainably accessible by train, and QR codes provide insights into some 30 fascinating attractions. Take a break -- not only on the "forest sofas" -- but also on beautifully artist-crafted individually designed benches.

RheinBurgenWeg Trail – into the Rhineland World Heritage Site

Niederheimbach: Aerial view of Sooneck Castle surrounded by the Bingen Forest with a view of the Rhine ©Rheintouristik Tal der Loreley, St. Goar (Mahlow Media, Winningen)

It has inspired poets, painters and writers, served as a transportation route for thousands of years and is home to a unique cultural landscape: the Rhine. Around two dozen castles and ruins are some of the highlights of this 191-kilometre-long RheinBurgenWeg Trail, which first winds through the Rhineland slate mountains before culminating in the World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine in Koblenz . Some sections are particularly exciting for families, others offer a more athletic challenge – after all, their combined height adds up to over 8,000 metres in elevation overall.

The Natursteig Sieg Trail – rocky paths to the Druid Stone

Hennef: Siegtal with a view of the town of Blankenberg and castle ©Adobe Stock (Markus)

Panoramic views of nature await you on the almost 200-kilometre-long Natursteig Sieg Trail , named after the 155-kilometre-long river that originates in the Rothaar Mountains and flows into the Rhine. All 14 sections of the trail are accessible by train, and mostly follow the river course. Some of them also wind their way into the mountains – through rustic forests and past springs and biotopes. The 13th stage to the Druid Stone, a cone-shaped basalt rock around 20 metres high, and the Ottoturm , with its far-reaching views, are well worth visiting.

Edersee Primeval Forest Trail – wander through untouched beech forests

Urwaldsteig: Castle Waldeck and view on the Edersee ©German Roamers (Leo Thomas)

Experience a primeval forest in the heart of Germany: the Kellerwald biotope in Hesse is so valuable that it is protected not only as a national park, but also as a World Heritage Site. No roads cut through the dense beech forests with their gnarled trunks, mushroom-covered deadwood, and the fjord-like Edersee, which the 66-kilometre-long Edersee Primeval Forest Trail encircles. The rocky paths along these steep slopes can pose quite a challenge. Learn more about the flora and fauna at the multimedia National Park Visitors Centre.

Zeulenroda Reservoir Trail – hiking with aquatic fun

Zeulenroda-Triebes: Sunset on the Zeulenrodaer Meer at the Zeulenroda dam in the Vogtland region ©Archiv TVV (Sebastian Theilig)

Residents of Zeulenroda in Thuringia, in the Vogtland region, are so proud of their reservoir that they affectionately call it the "Zeulenroda Sea". In just two days, you can circumnavigate the water on the 45-kilometre-long Reservoir Trail. This tour is particularly nice on summer days, when you can always jump into the water for a refreshing dip, or rent a boat – for a picnic on the "sea".

Hohenwarte Reservoir Trail – around a fjord-like reservoir

Hohenwarte: View of the Hohenwarte dam in the morning light ©AdobeStock (AVTG)

The Hohenwarte reservoir in Thuringia also earns the title of "sea" from its locals. And rightly so, as it is the largest reservoir in Germany. On the 75-kilometre long-distance reservoir hiking trail , you can circumnavigate the fjord-like, rugged water landscape in four stages. The numerous ascents and descents of this tour are particularly scenic, but you'll need stamina! Besides the reservoir, several ice-cold mountain streams offer a refreshing break. With a bit of luck, you might even spot one of the rare fire salamanders there.

Altmühltal Panorama Trail – wander through river meadows

Riedenburg: The Rosenburg above the town, Altmühltal Nature Park ©DZT (Frank Blümler)

A wild dolomite rock formation in the Bavarian Altmühltal known as the "Twelve Apostles" is just one of many highlights along the 200-kilometre panoramic trailthat winds through the floodplain meadow landscapes of this small river: its ten stages through the Altmühl Valley Nature Park will take you across juniper heaths, flowering meadows and wetlands. And because the region is so rich in natural treasures, people have left their mark throughout the ages: from the remains of the Roman border wall Limes to the castles and palaces of the Middle Ages.

Schlaubetal Hiking Trail – kingdom of the white-tailed eagle

Eisenhüttenstadt: Bremsdorf mill with water wheel in Brandenburg`s Schlaubetal Nature Park ©Adobe Stock (ebenart)

Eight mill wheels once turned in the Schlaube Valley in south-eastern Brandenburg, grinding grain, sawing wood and hammering copper – and some of them, like the Ragow mill , are still preserved today. Another highlight along this 25-kilometre Schlaubetal hiking trail in the nature park by the same name, is the wild nature to be seen along the river, which meanders through gorges and forests from Wirchensee to Müllrose, forming low marshes, flowing through lakes and ponds. There is a very good chance of sighting white-tailed sea eagles or kingfishers here.

The Märkischer Landweg Trail – across the vastness of Brandenburg

Lychen: Town lake with St. Johannes town church ©Adobe Stock (ebenart)

Lights, camera, nature: the 217-kilometre-long Märkische Landweg through the Uckermark in north-eastern Brandenburg is so isolated that you might not pass a single other hiker on some of its ten stages. It winds through little villages with flower-adorned brick houses, cobblestone streets, and well-kept village squares under shady lime trees. Water plays a major role in this landscape shaped by the Ice Age: from streams, ponds and bathing lakes to the Oder river. Don't forget to bring water and provisions when immersing yourself in the silence.

Rügen Bodden Panorama Trail – through a quiet hinterland

Jasmund National Park: couple hiking ©DZT (Lars Schneider)

The snow-white chalk cliffs are a landmark of the island of Rügen. However, Germany's largest island also boasts the panorama trail around the Great Jasmund Bodden, a route through the quieter hinterland. On this 24-kilometre long route, visitors encounter enchanting coastal forests and rugged cliffs. Enjoy sweeping expansive views over this rugged coastal landscape. The sleepy town of Ralswiek with its picturesque castle is perfect for a picnic.

Moselsteig Trail – through the vineyards

Moselsteig ©Dominik Ketz/Rheinland-Pfalz Tourismus

One kilometre for every day of the year: the 365-kilometre Moselsteig Trail crosses a river landscape that is hard to surpass in diversity, stretching from the German-French border to Koblenz. First and foremost are the vineyards, some of which are on steep slopes, where you can sample Moselle wine along the way. The long history of the region is evident everywhere, such as when you gaze from the Reichsburg Cochem , or stand at the foot of the Roman Porta Nigra in Trier.

Langwarder Groden – birdwatching at the Wadden Sea

Butjadingen: Hiking trail Langwarder Groden ©Adobe Stock (fotografci)

From large curlews and brent geese to lapwings, snipes, and avocets, the Langwarder Groden is teeming with thousands of wading and migratory birds, especially in spring and autumn. Here, in the Wadden Sea National Park on the North Sea coast of Schleswig-Holstein, the constant ebb and flow have created a unique habitat. At the Fedderwardersiel fishing port, you can embark on a roughly five-kilometre tour into the flora and fauna of this World Heritage Site. Please don't forget to bring your binoculars!

Fallada's Fridolin Hike – travelling along the literary trail

Feldberg Lake District: Uckermark Lakes Nature Park near Feldberg, Breiter LuzinUckermark Lakes Nature Park ©Lookphotos (Klambt Style-Verlag / Gregor Lengler)

"In complete ignorance, I had acquired one of the most beautiful, quietest spots on Earth," wrote author Hans Fallada about his house in Carwitz in the Feldberg Lake District, where he wrote several works, including the children's book "Fridolin, the Cheeky Badger." The locations can be found along a ten-kilometre hiking trail : hills with sweeping views, crystal-clear bathing lakes, a manually operated cable ferry, and a traditional shepherd's hut for a cosy stop-off. A visit to Fallada's former residence is also well worthwhile.