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Long-Distance HikingLong-Distance Hiking
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  • The long-distance hiking trail E5 starts in Bavaria and leads once across the Alps to Merano
    The long-distance hiking trail E5 starts in Bavaria and leads once across the Alps to Merano Photo: ARochau, Adobe Stock

Long-distance hikes in Bavaria

Germany

Outdooractive Editors  Verified partner 
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Between the Franconian Forest and the Alps, Bavaria offers numerous long-distance hiking trails that make the hiker's heart beat faster. Whether trekking tours in the Bavarian Forest, long-distance hikes in the Altmühltal or difficult tours in the Bavarian Alps, the possibilities are endless. The range of tours is just as appealing to leisurely hikers as to ambitious long-distance hikers. Along the way, rustic inns invite you to stop for a bite to eat during the stage, and you can taste the tasty Bavarian cuisine for yourself.

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The most beautiful long-distance hikes in Bavaria

Eichenberg railway station
Long-Distance Hiking · Hesse
Hesse - Thuringia Green Belt long-distance hiking trail
Toprecommended route Difficulty easy
319 km
90:00 h
6,749 m
6,492 m
This multi-day tour of 21 stages covers the entire Hesse-Thuringia border region from the border triangle of Hesse-Thuringia-Lower Saxony (starting in the municipality of Neu-Eichenberg) to the border triangle of Hesse-Thuringia-Bavaria (ending in the municipality of Ehrenberg-Seiferts).
alpenvereinaktiv.com
Long-Distance Hiking · Kufsteinerland
2-Tagestour Spitzstein - Geigelstein
Toprecommended route Difficulty difficult
31.1 km
13:00 h
2,250 m
2,250 m
Spitzstein und Geigelstein sind die bekanntesten Ziele zwischen Aschau und Sachrang. Mit einer Übernachtung auf dem Spitzsteinhaus lassen sie sich zu einer schönen Zweitagestour im Frühjahr verbinden.
alpenvereinaktiv.com
Sea of Stone
Long-Distance Hiking · Berchtesgaden Alps
Großes Teufelshorn 2283m and Funtenseetauern 2575m round trip from Königssee
Toprecommended route Difficulty difficult
38.9 km
18:00 h
3,600 m
3,600 m
The ascent of the Grosses Teufelshorn on the first day with an overnight stay at the rustic Wasseralm, the solitary crossing of the Funtenseetauern with an overnight stay at the Kärlingerhaus and the farewell summit of the Feldkogel with a descent via the Saugasse to St. Bartholomä make for an extensive and impressive three-day tour in the Berchtesgaden National Park.
alpenvereinaktiv.com
Nine summit tour
Long-Distance Hiking · Fichtelgebirge
In two days through the Fichtelgebirge: the nine-summit marathon
Toprecommended route Difficulty moderate
1
42.2 km
12:30 h
1,350 m
1,450 m
The two-day summit hike takes us - over the marathon distance of marathon distance of 42.2 kilometres - over 9 beautiful viewpoints from Weißenstadt to Wunsiedel. This tour in the Fichtelgebirge mountains is both scenically and geologically very attractive and also offers plenty of culinary delights.
alpenvereinaktiv.com
Historic bridge
Long-Distance Hiking · Alps
Lechweg uphill (luxury version)
Toprecommended route Difficulty moderate closed
124.9 km
37:10 h
3,216 m
2,174 m
The Lechweg is a long-distance hiking trail in Bavaria, Tyrol and Vorarlberg that follows the river for 125 kilometres.
alpenvereinaktiv.com
Sundown am Zeppezauserhaus - herrlich!!!
Long-Distance Hiking · Salzburg and surroundings
In 6 Tagen von Salzburg nach Golling
Toprecommended route Difficulty difficult
1
87.3 km
100:00 h
5,100 m
6,200 m
Bei dieser abwechslungsreichen, konditionell fordernden aber unschwierigen Tour folgen wir Teilen des Arnowegs und erschließen einen Großteil des Nationalparks Berchtesgaden. Wir übernachten auf AV Hütten.
Community
Im Stoißengraben
Long-Distance Hiking · Saalfelden-Leogang
Durch den Stoißengraben ins steinerne Meer
Toprecommended route Difficulty moderate
1
29.4 km
48:00 h
2,396 m
2,123 m
Abwechslungsreiche Streckentour am östlichen Ende des steinernen Meeres mit anspruchsvollen, gesicherten Steigen im Stoißengraben und aussichtsreichen Panoramawegen zwischen Peter-Wiechenthaler-Hütte und Ingolstädter Haus.
Community
Blick von der Gleiwitzer Hütte
Long-Distance Hiking · Berchtesgadener Land
Alpenüberquerung vom Königssee nach Lienz
Toprecommended route Difficulty difficult
2
132.7 km
52:15 h
9,858 m
8,261 m
Von St. Bartholomä am Königssee geht es in sieben Wandertagen nach Lienz in Osttirol.
Community
Der Große Schneiber mit Watzmann im Hintergrund
Long-Distance Hiking · Hochkönig
Hüttentour durchs westliche steinerne Meer
Toprecommended route Difficulty moderate
1
39.8 km
72:00 h
3,231 m
3,302 m
Streckentour vom Wanderparkplatz Rohrmoos einmal durchs westliche steinerne Meer über Riemannhaus, Ingolstädter Haus und Wiechenthaler Hütte zum Parkplatz Bachwinkl
Community
Kurz vor der Memminger Hütte - Blick zurück
Long-Distance Hiking · Allgäu
E5 Alpenüberquerung von Oberstdorf nach Meran durch das Pitztal, Passerschlucht und über den Meraner Höhenweg (ohne Hilfsmittel)
Toprecommended route Difficulty difficult
2
197.4 km
65:30 h
10,240 m
10,743 m
E5 - Alpenüberquerung von Oberstdorf nach Meran Bei dieser Route wird auf Bus, Taxi, Seilbahn und auch auf die in Anspruchnahme der Materialseilbahn verzichtet. Statt der Variante über Vernagt wurde die Tour über den Meraner Höhenweg nach Meran beendet.
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Forecast for Bavaria

How long is the Nibelungensteig?

Many trails lead you into nature when long-distance hiking in Bavaria. This applies in particular to the Nibelungensteig, a long-distance hiking trail with a length of around 130 kilometres. You hike this trail from Zwingenberg to Freudenberg am Main and have to reckon with a time expenditure of 42 hours. You should allow approx. 8 days for all stages. You will cross the Odenwald Forest and follow in the footsteps of the Nibelungen. On the mountain road you will encounter partly untouched nature.

Long-Distance Hiking · Bergstraße
Nibelungensteig: From Zwingenberg to Freudenberg am Main
PremiumPremium content Difficulty moderate
Distance 129.9 km
Duration 42:00 h
Ascent 3,855 m
Descent 3,813 m

A natural and challenging hike takes us from Zwingenberg along the mountain road through the entire Odenwald forest in the footsteps of the ...

4
from Julia Gebauer,   Outdooractive Premium

A long-distance hiking trail in the footsteps of the Celts

Are you looking for a shorter tour for long-distance hiking? Then the Donkey Trail is a good choice for you. It is only 111 kilometres long and since you hike almost constantly at 400 to 500 metres, the differences in altitude are kept within limits. Parts of the route take you through a dense deciduous forest, so you can also tackle the long-distance trail in high summer.

Where does the Donkey Trail end?

The Donkey Trail begins in Schlüchtern and ends in Großheubach on the Main. On this long-distance trail, you will follow in the footsteps of the Celts and the Orber salt caravans - the latter used donkeys to transport salt along the route, which is the reason for the name.

If you are not afraid of taking risks and are fit enough, you can attempt the E5 Alpine Crossing from Oberstdorf to Merano. Bear in mind that the 173.9-kilometre long-distance trail is a difficult route. Over the course of 6 days, you will climb over 8,200 metres of altitude.

Spessart-Mainland
Recommended route Eselsweg
Recommended route Alpine crossing on E5 – From Oberstdorf to Meran

Where does the Frankenweg begin?

It starts in Untereichenstein - a town in the north of Franconia - and takes you from here on a total of 500 kilometres through Franconian Switzerland, the Upper Main Valley, the Franconian Lake District, the Altmühltal Nature Park and the castle world of the Franconian Alps - in the latter section you can discover one or two castles.

On the 21 stages you will not only enjoy an impressive natural spectacle, but you will also get to know the culture of the region better. The estimated walking time for the Frankenweg is around 138 hours. Be prepared to climb over 9,000 metres of altitude, so sturdy shoes are a must.

Thüringer Wald
Recommended route Frankenweg - from the Rennsteig to the Swabian Alb
Franconian Switzerland
Geographic region Franconian Switzerland
Franconian Lakes District
Geographic region Franconian Lakes District
Altmühltal
Sightseeing highlight Altmühltal Nature Park

Hiking along the water

Some long-distance hiking trails also take you close to waters. The Bodensee Rundweg is particularly popular with hikers in this context. It takes you once around the lake, while you need to plan around 90 hours for this. On top of that, you will pass numerous places of interest in Austria, Germany and Switzerland - the pilgrimage church of Birnau, for example, is worth a visit.

With only around 1,525 metres of altitude, the Bodensee Rundweg is a rather flat long-distance hiking trail.

You can also master the route in stages, as it is divided into twelve sections. The 270-kilometre route is considered moderately difficult and is therefore also a good choice for beginners and children.
  • closed
    Long-Distance Hiking · Bodensee (BW)
    Lake Constance circular trail
  • Museum · Bodensee (BW)
    Pfahlbauten
  • Garden · Bodensee (BW)
    Mainau Island
Explore our Travel Guide for Bavaria
Accommodation Eat and drink Great places to visit with the family Dog-friendly hiking Accessibility Ideas for bad weather Webcams Wellness and spa retreats Ski resorts huts

Reviews

  382
Alpenüberquerung L1.4 (L1 mit Bergtourvarianten) Füssen - Brescia by Jost
June 26, 2024 · Community
Comment
Over the Chiemgau - hut trekking with the most beautiful sunsets by Niels
June 01, 2024 · Community
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Route done on May 27, 2024
Comment
Himmelsstürmer Route der Wandertrilogie Allgäu - Etappe 21 Bad Hindelang - Schattwald/Tannheimer Tal by Gerd
May 27, 2024 · alpenvereinaktiv.com
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Route done on May 26, 2024
Schleierfall
Photo: Gerd Simon, CC BY-ND, Alpenverein Freistadt
Felsentor neben Palmsteig
Photo: Gerd Simon, CC BY-ND, Alpenverein Freistadt
Seilsicherungen am Palmsteig
Photo: Gerd Simon, CC BY-ND, Alpenverein Freistadt
Palmsteig mit Iseler im Hintergrund
Photo: Gerd Simon, CC BY-ND, Alpenverein Freistadt
Palmsteig
Photo: Gerd Simon, CC BY-ND, Alpenverein Freistadt
Comment
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Find long-distance hikes in neighboring regions

Tyrol Baden-Wurttemberg Salzburg Hesse Vorarlberg Upper Austria Saxony Thuringia Saint Gall Karlovarský kraj

Discover other long-distance hikes within Bavaria

Allgäu Altmühltal Bavarian Forest Bayerisch-Schwaben Bayerischer Jura Berchtesgadener Land Chiemgau Chiemsee-Alpenland Coburg.Rennsteig Fichtelgebirge Franconian Lakes District Franconian Switzerland Frankenhöhe Frankenwald Fränkisches Weinland Haßberge München-Ingolstadt Niederbayern Nürnberger Land Obermain.Jura Pfaffenwinkel Rhön Spessart-Mainland Starnberg Five-Lakes Steigerwald Städteregion Nürnberg Tegernsee-Schliersee Toelzer Land Upper Palatine Forest Zugspitze Region

Similar activities in Bavaria

hikes pilgrim walks nature trails city walks

Localization

Parts of this content were machine translated using German as the source language

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