Baden-Württemberg is a federal state in southwestern Germany bordering France and Switzerland, anchored by the automotive capital Stuttgart. The state combines the dense forests and thermal spa towns of the Black Forest, the shimmering shoreline of Lake Constance, the Renaissance and Gothic old towns of Heidelberg, Tübingen, and Ulm, and world-renowned engineering heritage at the Mercedes-Benz and Porsche museums. Vineyards, half-timbered villages, and Europe's largest theme park round out a region prized for both culture and outdoor recreation.
Top trails
Routes worth lacing up your boots for.
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1
Westweg: Kandel to Hinterzarten
A signature stretch of the 285 km Westweg, Germany's oldest long-distance trail (established 1900), climbing the Kandel summit before descending through spruce forest to the resort village of Hinterzarten
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2
Feldberg Summit Trail
The ascent of Baden-Württemberg's highest point, starting at the Haus der Natur visitor centre and climbing open alpine meadow to the Bismarck memorial at the summit
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3
Wutachschlucht Gorge Trail
One of the deepest and wildest gorges in Germany, following the Wutach river through a protected nature reserve with river crossings on wooden footbridges
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4
Neckarsteig: Heidelberg to Neckargemünd
The opening leg of the 120 km Neckarsteig long-distance trail, climbing steeply out of Heidelberg's Altstadt onto vineyard terraces overlooking the Neckar before dropping into Neckargemünd
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5
Kandel Summit Trail
A short summit walk to the Kandel plateau above Freiburg, popular for sunrise and sunset views over the Rhine valley and, on clear days, the distant Alps
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6
Schluchtensteig
An eight-stage long-distance trail linking the gorges (Schluchten) of the central and southern Black Forest, from the half-timbered town of Schiltach to Stühlingen near the Swiss border
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7
Donauversickerung Trail
An easy riverside loop to the famous Donauversickerung, the geological point near Immendingen where the Danube seeps through porous limestone into the Aachtopf and resurfaces in the Rhine system rather than the Black Sea
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8
Wurmlinger Kapelle Hill Trail
A short, family-friendly climb through vineyards to the hilltop Wurmlinger Kapelle chapel, immortalised in a 19th-century poem by Ludwig Uhland and overlooking the Neckar valley near Tübingen
Trail difficulty levels
Pick a route that matches your fitness and experience.
Mostly flat, well-marked paths. Suitable for families and casual walkers.
Some elevation gain, longer distances. Requires basic fitness.
Significant climbs and exposure. Requires good fitness and route-finding.
Technical terrain, scrambling, or alpine conditions. Experience essential.
Local hazards
What to watch out for on the trail.
Sudden weather changes — always carry rain gear and warm layers.
Wildlife encounters — make noise on the trail and store food properly.
Trail conditions can deteriorate after rain — check recent reports before setting out.