The Rhine, the unspoiled Diemel River or the Fulda River - Hessen is crisscrossed by a network of diverse rivers whose banks are lined with numerous hiking trails. We tell you which rivers are particularly suitable for an extended hiking tour.
The Lahn flows a good 240 kilometers from its source in the Rothaargebirge mountains to where it flows into the Rhine at Lahnstein, two thirds of its route leading through Hesse. Always at its side - sometimes directly at the water, sometimes along the surrounding hill crests - the Lahn hiking trail. It takes you past floodplains, steep cliffs, medieval castles and lively student towns like Marburg and Giessen. The stream, which starts out babbling merrily, develops into a lively river along the way, eventually growing into a proud stream. Not to be missed: a visit to the venerable cathedral that towers high above the river in Limburg.
Hardly any hike offers auf so wenigen Flusskilometern eine so große Abwechslung. Wenn ihr im mittelalterlichen Seligenstadt mit seiner berühmten Benediktinerabtei startet, führt euch euer Weg entlang saftiger Wiesen, Sandbänke und Badebuchten bis in die Hafenanlagen von Offenbach und Frankfurt. Begleitet von der unverwechselbaren Skyline der Mainmetropole geht es weiter bis zur Mainspitze bei Wiesbaden, wo der Main in den Rhein mündet. Unterwegs bieten sich immer wieder kürzere Rundwanderwege für kleinere Abstecher an. Empfehlenswert ist z. B. eine knapp zwölf Kilometer lange Rundtour über das Schloss Philippsruhe bis zu den Dietesheimer Steinbrüchen.
By train comfortably and without traffic jams to Seligenstadt: Plan arrival.
The Eder is considered the cleanest river in the state. Auf ihren 174 Kilometern durchfließt sie urwaldähnliche Auenwälder, artenreiche Wiesen, Weiden sowie Bruchwälder und mündet schließlich am Rande des Kellerwalds in den Edersee, den drittgrößten Stausees Deutschlands. Die beste Möglichkeit, diese abwechslungsreiche Landschaft mit ihren einzigartigen Schutzgebieten wie dem Nationalpark Kellerwald-Edersee und zahlreichen historischen Fachwerk-Orten zu erkunden, habt ihr auf dem Eder Heights Trail. With a total length of 63 kilometers, it runs from Hatzfeld/Eder to Vöhl/Schmittlotheim. The starting points are the barbecue hut in Hatzfeld (Eder) or the National Park Hiking Park "Elsebach" in Vöhl/Schmittlotheim.
By train and bus comfortably to Hatzfeld: Plan arrival.
Hesse's northernmost Waterway forms the natural border between Hesse and Lower Saxony between Hannoversch-Münden and Bad Karlshafen. On the hiking trails along the riverbank, you will often come across Cinderella and other legendary characters - after all, the region is considered the home of the famous fairy tale collectors, the Grimm brothers. You should not miss the baroque old town of Bad Karlshafen, the rebuilt inland port is a real water tourism highlight.
By train comfortably and without traffic jams to Hannoversch-Münden: Plan arrival.
Gently sloping hills, wooded steep slate mountains, stately castles and palaces on the heights and again and again magnificent views of one of the majestic rivers of Europe - a Hike along the Rhine führt euch zudem durch eines der bekanntesten Weinanbaugebiete Deutschlands, den Rheingau. Neben lohnenswerten Weinbergstouren mit zahlreichen Einkehrmöglichkeiten erwarten euch auf eurem Weg echtes Strandfeeling an breiten Sandbänken entlang einiger Flussabschnitte und kulturhistorische Highlights wie die Germania bei Rüdesheim.
Calcareous grassland - Behind this sober name hides a landscape whose limestone slopes are among the most species-rich biotopes in Europe. At the lower reaches of the Diemel, between Liebenau, Trendelburg and Bad Karlshafen, you will be accompanied on your hike by countless butterflies that live here, in the Reinhardswald Nature Parkfind optimal living conditions. From its source in the Rothaargebirge mountains to its mouth in the Weser near Bad Karlshafen, the Diemel covers around 110 kilometers. Well-marked hiking trails lead you through extensive hilly landscapes, over wooded slopes to the Rapunzel town "Trendelburg" at the foot of the Reinhardswald.
By train and bus comfortably to Liebenau: Plan arrival.
The Fulda winds almost 220 kilometers through Hesse from its source just below the summit of the Wasserkuppe to just before Hannoversch-Münden. The Hiking trails along its banks lead you through unspoiled landscapes in the Rhön, wild floodplains near Bad Hersfeld and past many historic buildings, adventure, educational and art trails. Thanks to the well-signposted network of paths and numerous places to stop for refreshments, you can also explore the banks of the Fulda wonderfully in the course of a half-day or day tour with the whole family.
Cover photo: Relaxed leisure - a hike along the rivers of Hesse © Syda Productions - stock.adobe.com
Hiking through quiet low mountain ranges, old beech forests or orchards, paddling on the Lahn, looking at the most beautiful medieval half-timbered houses and soaking up the atmosphere of historic spas - Hessen makes romantic souls happy all around. But gourmets also get their money's worth on wine hikes, in Hessian butcher shops and with "Handkäs mit Musik", a pickled cheese. Reasons for a Vacation in Hesse there are enough!
