From tough Teutonic trails to silky ribbonesque rivers just asking to be run, Germany is an underrated adventure powerhouse.
However, with Alpine scene-stealing European neighbours such as Switzerland, France, and Austria, the land of lederhosen often gets overlooked by those who favour active outdoor excitement over beerhall high-jinks.
But there are long-distance trails to hike and ride, rivers to paddle, cliffs to climb, and adventures aplenty to be had in the Rhineland massifs, the Harz and Ore mountains, and, of course, in Bavaria, Germany’s most famous outdoor playground. Here, you can ascend to a winter sports heaven, crowned by Germany’s highest peak, the 2962m Zugspitze.
There is no doubt that Germany can offer rich pickings for those with an adventurous eye.
Hiking
In Germany, many long-distance trails offer a slice of everything: steep and serious terrain with mountain views, undulating tracks through forests, hiking paths linking historic villages, and remote walks where you can still spot wildlife, including black bears and lynx.
Saxon Switzerland and the Thuringian Forest are home to Germany’s most scenic long-distance walks: the 112km Malerweg – known as the Painter’s Way for its historical association with landscape artists – and the Rennsteig (168km), a ridge walk in the Thuringian Highland. The latter is not to be confused with the stunning 320km Rheinsteig from Bonn to Wiesbaden, which shadows the Rhine and features challenging climbs and a variety of landscapes of both natural and cultural significance.
The Saxon-Bohemia region in the east is home to the Kammweg, a 289km hiking route that’s one of Central Europe’s oldest, while the 660km Goldsteig in eastern Bavaria is Germany’s longest notable trail, traversing woodlands and riverscapes and overlooking numerous 1000m-plus peaks.
Other popular trekking areas include the Harz and the Black Forest. Those seeking more vertiginous challenges can, in summer, check out the multitude of routes crammed into and around the Bavarian Alps.
Climbing
Germany is home to some of the best sport climbing in history, as exemplified by Wolfgang Güllich (1960–1992), who hailed from this vibrant nation. No wonder the country features world-famous crags that are respected for their interest and difficulty levels. The region of Südpfalz was the crucible for Güllich’s talent, with trad climbing, sport climbing, and bouldering all on offer, boasting 120 towers and 200 massifs.
The limestone crags of the Frankenjura present more world-class climbing opportunities; the region is notable not just for its high density of traditional breweries but also for more than 6500 routes, including the world’s first recognised 9a (5.14d) grade climb, “Action Directe.” Güllich specifically invented the campus board training tool, commonly used today, to build the strength required for this route.
Moreover, the Elbe Sandstone Mountains are well regarded by climbers. While free climbing is popular, via ferrata options offer exposure for the inexperienced. There are an estimated 14,000 routes up Elbe’s more than 1100 freestanding pinnacles.
Road Cycling
Germany boasts more than 200 dedicated long-distance cycle routes, so the two-wheeled traveller is spoiled for choice. These well-signposted – and often traffic-free – pathways offer adventurous ways to hop between historic cities or explore areas of great natural beauty. Choose from a pedal through dramatic river valleys, along rugged coastlines, past crystal clear Alpine lakes, into dense forests, and over imposing mountain passes.
If navigation isn’t your strong point, then following the banks of one of Germany’s many rivers is an excellent approach. Popular rides include the 860km Elberadweg and the legendary Danube – a riverside route revered by cycle tourists worldwide. For history enthusiasts, traversing along the Rhine is essential. Don’t forget to set aside extra days to explore the hundreds of medieval castles along this scenic trail, which stretches from Kleve in the northwest to Lake Constance in the southeast.
If you prefer ocean views over river backdrops, head up to the fringes of the Baltic Sea, where a 1095km Flensburg-to-Usedom trail hugs Germany’s northern coast. Expect a mostly flat paved surface with sections of sand or cobble to navigate. Encounter dramatic chalk cliffs, shallow sandy bays, windswept peninsulas, lush green forests, and the Unesco-listed medieval towns of Wismar and Stralsund.
Furthermore, do not miss the exhilarating rides on quiet trails through the mountains of the Black Forest in southwestern Germany.
Mountain Biking
While backroad-touring adventures, such as the 860km Elberadweg, are immensely popular, Germany also offers a wealth of off-road options.
To find singletrack trails, mountain bikers often explore regions like Sauerland, Eifel, Harz (which boasts more than 2200km of dedicated mountain-bike trails), and the Black Forest, which is commonly regarded as a mountain biking paradise.
The 200km Rennsteig Cycle Trail traverses the Thuringian Forest Nature Park and the Slate Mountains, with 120km of the route on forest tracks.
For downhillers and freeriders, Bikepark Winterberg is Germany’s premier destination. It boasts numerous creative obstacles and ranks among the best bike parks in Europe, featuring 9km of exhilarating freeride trails. Similarly, the Palatinate Forest Park is another gem, with 300km of pathways through west Germany’s largest contiguous wooded area.
Snowsports
Located just below the Zugspitze, Garmisch-Partenkirchen serves as the epicentre of all things snowsports. Its credentials stem from hosting the 1936 Winter Olympics and the 2011 Alpine World Ski Championship. It boasts 20km of pistes ranging from 700m to 3km, a snowboard park, and 40km of cross-country (XC) trails. True XC enthusiasts often base themselves out of nearby ski village Oberammergau, which features 90km of routes along with several steep pistes on the slopes of the Laber (1683m).
For those in search of more intense thrills, the Dammkar-tunnel near Mittenwald, situated opposite Garmisch-Partenkirchen, possesses a 40% incline, making it one of Germany’s most challenging runs.
Additionally, Allgäu features 500km of downhill slopes, including deep-snow off-piste skiing, and with 200 ski lifts, it rightfully claims the title of Germany’s largest continuous ski field.
Paddling
Germany teems with waterways, including lakes, canals, and some of Europe’s greatest rivers – such as the Danube and the Rhine – with over 40,000km of predominantly flat water available for paddling enthusiasts to explore.
Paddling the big rivers is popular, although you will need to share the waters with large cruisers. One of the most appealing multi-day paddles is in the Müritz National Park, where you can pack supplies and meander through a mosaic of lakes, pitching your tent alongside the banks at night. Similarly, paddle-camp explorations can be enjoyed in the Spreewald, located south of Berlin, around Lake Constance (the second largest in Europe), and on the Schleswig-Holstein lakes, from Eutin to Kiel. An extraordinary Alpine puddle that can be explored by kayak or paddleboard is Lake Eibsee, located below Zugspitze in Grainau, Bavaria.
For a unique experience, paddle the small Altmühl, which flows between the Rhineland and the Danube, including an underground tunnel section that was artificially constructed to supply the Rhine-Danube canal. Spooky but fun!
Though Germany may not be internationally renowned for whitewater activities, it does have a few runs worth seeking out, including the steep descent of the Eistobel on the Argen River in Bavaria. The Gutach in the Black Forest is another fast-flowing, narrow, and challenging run. For guaranteed conditions, try the artificial whitewater of Augsburg Eiskanal in Augsburg, which was built for the 1972 Munich Olympic Games.
This article was first published Jul 16, 2010, and updated Feb 3, 2020.
