Germany’s landscapes and towns are as diverse as anywhere else in Europe, making it an ideal location for walking holidays. Its northern lowlands stretch from the Netherlands to Poland, past southern Denmark where it bridges the North and Baltic seas. The magnificent Rhine and Main Rivers cut through the Central Uplands. To the south, the meandering Danube River runs from the Black Forest, near France & Switzerland, to Munich.

German forests are studded with beech, oak, birch, chestnut, lime, maple and ash trees. They are beautiful places to escape the crowds and cycle, walk or hike and relax. Alpine regions are home to wildflowers – orchids, cyclamen, gentians, pulsatilla, alpine roses, edelweiss and buttercups. The south of Germany is the more traditional, with many a foaming Stein of wheat beer being consumed in the beer cellars of Munich, and Lederhosen often seen worn by hikers in the Alpine region of Bavaria.

Popular Walking Routes in Germany

Our popular self-guided walking holidays in Germany focus on the rural and rugged state of Bavaria, where the plains south of Munich give way to the gentle rolling hills that increase in size as we hike towards the higher rocky mountains that mark the start of the Alps. Two of the most popular long distance walking routes in Bavaria include the King Ludwig Way and the Trans Tyrol route.

King Ludwig's Way

Our King Ludwig’s Way walking holiday takes in two of Bavaria's most scenic lakes and through charming villages of geranium-bedecked chalets and characteristic onion-shaped church spires. There are masterpieces of baroque architecture, monasteries churches and a cathedral, to be seen on the way and not forgetting King Ludwig's extraordinary castles at the end.

Trans Tyrol Route

The Trans Tyrol Route is a challenging walking holiday that takes you through the breath-taking scenery of the Wetterstein and Karwendal mountain ranges as you walk from Garmisch to Innsbruck.

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Find your Germany trip

Germany highlights

 

Why travel with us

Personal Experience in Germany

Our team have been walking and cycling for over 4 decades. We are passionate about Germany, active holidays and delivering exceptional service. Combined, we’ve travelled to virtually every corner of the UK & Europe and bring a multi-disciplined, multicultural and whole-hearted love of all things travel.

Local Knowledge of Germany

We place great emphasis on researching, planning and crafting innovative itineraries in Germany to ensure you get the very best experience out of your trip. We believe relationships are important and have been working with many of our hoteliers and local suppliers for years. This means that they know exactly what our travellers expect.

Great Value & Quality Trips in Germany

Our active holidays in Germany are well priced offering great value for money. Included in your package are comprehensive route notes, maps & guide books along with bag transfers and locally run accommodation. When you book, your trip will be fully organised by a dedicated member of our in-house team, so you will always know who you are dealing with. We take the stress out of organising your trip in Germany.

Responsible travel

 

Reducing waste

Our Waste Management Policy encourages our travellers to take their own reusable water bottles, coffee cups and reusable stuff sacks to avoid single use plastics. In the mountains of the Pyrenees and Mont Blanc our local partners reduce the amount of packaging taken on tour and ensure all waste is carried out from refuges that do not have road access to help dispose of it properly.

Supporting local

In the regions that we travel tourism is the main source of income for many local people. We support them by only working with local family run hotels and suppliers so your money supports the community that hosts you.

Paddock to Plate

The paddock to plate across Europe is one we encourage by choosing to work with accommodations that source produce from local farms. This provides you with fresher meals and ensures your money directly assists local economies.

Accommodation

Hotels

Often family run, these charming hotels range from 2 to 4 stars and provide access to local living thanks to your hosts. The hospitality is generous and their local knowledge is invaluable. Where possible, we choose locations that add to your experience.

Barges

Think of it as your floating hotel, where each day you experience a different sunrise and sunset location and you unpack only once. Berths range from two lower or bunk bed style but can be upgraded to larger berths with double beds. The bar and dining area is always a popular hangout at the end of each day's activity. The crew includes an onboard cook.

Refuges or gite hostels

Used mainly on mountain walks, these convivial places add to the atmosphere of your journey through the mountains. Dorms may sleep up to 40 people and the beds are often bunk beds. Linen and blankets are provided and bathrooms are shared. Private rooms may be available, although private gite rooms still use shared bathrooms.

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Essential information

Currency

Euro

International Dialing Code

+49

Electricity
Type C plug

Electricity in Germany is 230 Volts, at 50 hertz. The most common pin type is C. (2 round prong).

Visas

In the first half of 2025 it is expected that the ETIAS travel authorisation will be introduced requiring online application before travel. See https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en for more details.

Until then, visas not required for citizens of Australia, Canada, USA and New Zealand for up to 90 days in a period of 180 days for all Schengen countries (see https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen-borders-and-visa/visa-policy_en . Please ensure your passport is stamped on arrival in the Schengen area – note that a new entry/exit system will be introduced in 2025. See https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees_en for more information. For all other nationalities and for longer stays in countries covered by the Schengen Agreement (Australian New Zealand, Canadian and US passport holders), please contact the relevant embassy. Stays of longer than 90 days in the Schengen area require a long stay visa for the country you are spending most time in. However long stay visas are unlikely to be issued unless there is a valid reason (eg. studying in country). Unfortunately we cannot assist in obtaining visas for long stays due to individual country visa requirements.

Safety

Your safety is our number one concern. Our safety track record is exemplary thanks to careful management and thorough consultation with local partners. Our industry leading risk management procedures have become a skill that we continue to refine. Our leaders in the field are highly trained and have safety as their number one priority. Expert leaders, risk assessments, quality inclusions and your financial security all come standard when you travel with us.

Please refer to our Travel Advisory page for updates on recent events, travel warnings and advice.

We strongly recommend that all clients take out travel insurance at the time of booking to cover against sickness, accident, loss of baggage, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements and travel disruption, emergency evacuation, cancellations, etc. Insurance information is enclosed with your pre-departure information. Please contact us if you would like to obtain a quote for your trip duration.

We suggest that you consult your doctor, local government inoculation centre or a travel medical specialist in order to get the most current advice regarding vaccination requirements.

Money and valuables should always be stored safely when travelling. Keep your passport with you at all times and do not leave it in your main luggage. You will need it to change money and check into hotels. Where safety deposit boxes are available, we recommend that you use them. Keep jewellery and valuables to a minimum.