DeWandelaar in Harz © DeWandelaar.Org
Long-Distance Trails in Germany
My hiking name is DeWandelaar. I solo thru-hike long-distance trails in Germany between April and September, and tinker with this blog, plan hikes and create GPX files over winter. Use the map to access route information and downloads.
Welcome to DeWandelaar.Org
My hiking name is DeWandelaar. I solo thru-hike long-distance trails in Germany between April and September, and tinker with this blog, plan hikes and create GPX files over winter. Use map icons to access trail pages and downloads.
About Maps & GPX Files
DeWandelaar focuses on creating GPX tracks with accurate latitude, longitude and elevation data. From this data, an indication of trail difficulty can be calculated to help search and filter trails according to fitness and ability.
About maps & GPX Files
DeWandelaar focuses on creating GPX tracks with accurate latitude, longitude and elevation data. From this data, an indication of trail difficulty can be calculated to help search and filter trails according to fitness and ability.
Favourite Trails
When choosing long-distance hiking trails, I look for a combination of nature areas where it is possible to exist for a moment without human interferance, and places of cultural and historical interest. A nice biergarten, vineyard or traditional restaurant to end the hike never hurts. Occassionally you find all of this on the same trail.
Pfälzer Waldpfad
One of the most densely forested and least populated areas of Germany, the Pfalz Forest Trail tops my list as a perfect thru-hike. The remote Luitpoldturm shown here was a fantastic experience and has a Schützhutte and grill built into its base. Cliffs and other geotopes abound enroute, there are several ruined castles to explore, and the trail ends at the Deutsches Weintor (German Wine Gate).
143km
4373m
4403m
606m
Medium
34h
Harzer-Hexen-Stieg
There’s a lot to keep you engaged along this compact trail, from the intricate water works of the Upper Harz Water Regale UNESCO World Heritage Site, crossing the former West-East border, an ascent of Goethe’s mystical Brocken, and a finish through the Bode Gorge. A detour to the Titan-RT suspension bridge and ending the trail sitting on a terrace in medieval Quedlinburg is an unforgettable experience.
101km
2647m
2683m
1140m
Medium
22h
AhrStieg
The eastern half of this trail is perhaps most impressive, so why not start in Sinzig, walk 40km of the AhrSteig through forest to Altenahr, and return another 40km to Bad Bodendorf or Ahrweiler via the Red Wine Trail? You’ll pass a Roman villa and several castle ruins, a Cold War Bunker, a few towers, many wineries, vineyards and beergartens, and take in some of the best wine views of Germany.
108km
3610m
4041m
611m
Strenuous
26h
Pfälzer Waldpfad
One of the most densely forested and least populated areas of Germany, the Pfalz Forest Trail tops my list as a perfect thru-hike. The remote Luitpoldturm shown here was a fantastic experience and has a Schützhutte and grill built into its base. Cliffs and other geotopes abound enroute, there are several ruined castles to explore, and the trail ends at the Deutsches Weintor (German Wine Gate).
143km
4373m
4403m
606m
Medium
34h
Harzer-Hexen-Stieg
There’s a lot to keep you engaged along this compact trail, from the intricate water works of the Upper Harz Water Regale UNESCO World Heritage Site, crossing the former West-East border, an ascent of Goethe’s mystical Brocken, and a finish through the Bode Gorge. A detour to the Titan-RT suspension bridge and finishing the trail sitting on a terrace in medieval Quedlinburg is a unforgettable.
101km
2647m
2683m
1140m
Medium
22h