Any good hiking recommendations? (see note)

Posted by jaeson1992 (Los Angeles) on 09/07/21 10:30 PM

Hi There!

My friend and I are planning on being in the country from October 13-30th of this year on a fun 2.5 week road trip through Cologne, Koblenz, Heidelberg, Black Forest, Fussen, and Munich. Most places we'll be staying a couple of days in to see historical sites and go on short hikes, eat, etc. I also love landscape photography, so i was wondering if there are any recommended non-strenuous and not over 1 hour (going one direction) hikes in any of these areas that you recommend which provide a nice landscape view since it will be fall, or other lookout points which are important to check out. My friend is not fit (will moan and whine nonstop if its over 2 hours round trip walking).

Any other tips/ insights are also appreciated.

Posted by Russ

Paradise

09/07/21 11:01 PM

6637 posts

I would stay in charming old-world Boppard - several miles south of Koblenz - rather than in larger, more modern Koblenz. Of the smaller Rhine towns on the west Rhine bank, Boppard has the best all around choice of accommodations and dining options.

Boppard has a chairlift to a scenic overlook. From there you can do some easy walking on the trails and take in some great views. The Vierseenblick (4-lakes-view) makes for a unique picture opportunity. It's a spot where the Rhine appears to be 4 lakes rather than a river. If your unfit friend tires easily, there's an outdoor restaurant with stunning views called Gedeonseck, just a few minutes walk along the trail that leads from the top of the chairlift.

https://www.boppard-tourismus.de/45-1-Sessellift.html

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g198627-d5021388-Reviews-Restaurant_GedeonsEck-Boppard_Rhineland_Palatinate.html

To the south, you can visit nearby Oberwesel nearby, which has a fairly easy in-town walk around the old town wall:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g198501-d2189241-Reviews-City_Fortifications-Oberwesel_Rhineland_Palatinate.html

You might visit St. Goar as well, even closer to Boppard than Oberwesel. There are some trails atop the cliffs high above St. Goar with stunning views as well. You can drive up to St. Goar-Biebernheim, park, find the Rheinburgenweg (Rhine Castle trail) and follow it south to the "Loreleyblick Maria Ruh" lookout, where you have a direct view of the Loreley cliffs on the opposite river bank. (Walking up there from St. Goar is quite strenuous.) On the way, you may want to park at Rheinfels Castle and take a tour there. The views are great from there as well. And the hotel next to the castle has a nice terrace restaurant called the "Landgraf."

Posted by stephen

Greeley, co, usa

09/08/21 01:00 AM

2404 posts

I agree with Russ about the chairlift in Boppard. I have done it twice and with luck, again next year. Great view of the Rhine.

Most town web sites ( usually www. TOWN NAME.de ) will have a WANDERN tab, that will give info on hikes in the area. In the tourist offices in town, they also have info, sometimes free maps.

In Heidelberg, walk the Philosophers Weg for great views of the city

Posted by mchpp

Oberpfalz, Germany

09/08/21 02:09 PM

1290 posts

Philosophenweg in Heidelberg. Might be too taxing though. Maybe a walk around the Schwetzingen Castle gardens.

Füssen the hike up the Kalvarienberg, but that might be too taxing. An easy walk is around the Schwansee. You can see both castles from a distance.

A walk around the Titesee in the Black Forest (too long?). Take the Feldbergbahn to the top and walk around.

Just walk around the English Garten in Munich. In warmer weather you can watch them surf on the Isar. Not that far from the Marienplatz.