Germany's most beautiful hiking trail 2024

The Bergische Weg from Baldeneysee in Essen The Bergischer Weg trail to the Drachenfels near Bonn is Germany's most beautiful multi-day hike of 2024. The hiking magazine, with a jury of hiking experts, put day trips and multi-day tours to a public vote. Readers could vote for their favorite trail in an online poll. The Bergischer Weg trail stretches 259 kilometers from trailhead Baldeneysee in Essen's Ruhr Valley to Königswinter in the Siebengebirge hills on the Rhine. Over 14 daily stages, hikers experience the cultural landscapes of North Rhine-Westphalia, including the Bergisches Land, the Ruhr region, the Sauerland, and the Rhineland, in Germany's most populous state.

The Bergischer Weg is a diverse and scenically impressive hiking trail that stretches for approximately 259 kilometers and is divided into 14 stages. It begins at Baldeneysee and ends at the Drachenfels in Königswinter on the Rhine. The trail runs through the Bergisches Land region, the Ruhr area, the Sauerland, and the Rhineland, offering a multitude of scenic and cultural highlights. Passing through mixed forests, along streams, through half-timbered villages, and by castles, fortresses, and museums, the Bergischer Weg has been awarded the "Quality Trail - Wanderable Germany" certification.

The route leads through gently rolling hills, green forests, and alongside numerous streams. It passes idyllic half-timbered villages and significant sites of cultural history such as castles, fortresses, and churches. Of particular note are the local and industrial history museums, which bring the region's history and culture to life.

The Bergischer Weg trail can be hiked all year round, however the months from April to October, i.e. spring, summer and Autumn This is particularly recommended. Nature is in full bloom then, and the temperatures are more pleasant than in winter. The days are also longer, so stages can be started and finished in daylight. You'll also need less luggage when it's generally warmer.

Along the hiking trail, there are numerous places to eat and stay overnight, catering to the needs of hikers. From snack bars and rustic inns to Michelin-starred restaurants, almost every type of establishment can be found along the trail. The same applies to overnight accommodations: campsites, youth hostels, holiday apartments or luxury-Hotels – the Bergische Weg trail simply has everything to offer.