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Best Long-Distance Hikes in Bavaria

We track 250 routes that match this search in Bavaria. They average 108 km and 2,382 m (7,815 ft) of ascent, with the longest running to 581 km.

That is 7 percent of the 3,807 routes we map in Bavaria. They run noticeably longer than average for the area, 108 km against 17.0 km, so budget more daylight than a typical outing here. The climbing is steeper too: 2,382 m (7,815 ft) on average versus 372 m (1,220 ft) across the wider area.

Multi-day paths, normally walked in stages, with the accommodation and waymarking to support them. The mix is broad: 7 are rated easy and 238 are hard or harder, so there is something here whether you have two hours or a full day.

Trails

Expert

Goldsteig Alternative Nr.19

Bavarian Forest National Park · Bavaria

Distance
62.3 km
/ 38.7 mi
Elevation gain
1,371 m
Typical duration
16 hr
  • Waymarked route
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Via Romea - Deutschland - Bayern

Bavaria · Germany

Distance
508 km
/ 316 mi
Elevation gain
11,181 m
Typical duration
137 hr
  • Pilgrimage route
  • Waymarked route
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Donau-Panoramaweg

Bavaria · Germany

Distance
223 km
/ 139 mi
Elevation gain
4,907 m
Typical duration
60 hr
  • Panoramic viewpoint
  • Waymarked route
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Frankenweg Teil 8

Bavaria · Germany

Distance
79.6 km
/ 49.5 mi
Elevation gain
1,751 m
Typical duration
21 hr
  • Lake
  • Waymarked route
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Via Porta

Bavaria · Germany

Distance
349 km
/ 217 mi
Elevation gain
7,682 m
Typical duration
94 hr
  • Castle and ruins
  • Waymarked route
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Ansbacher Jakobsweg

Bavaria · Germany

Distance
177 km
/ 110 mi
Elevation gain
3,900 m
Typical duration
47 hr
  • Pilgrimage route
  • Waymarked route
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Jakobsweg Erfurt - Coburg

Bavaria · Germany

Distance
147 km
/ 91.1 mi
Elevation gain
3,226 m
Typical duration
39 hr
  • Pilgrimage route
  • Waymarked route
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Jakobsweg Hof-Hiltpoltstein

Bavaria · Germany

Distance
135 km
/ 84.2 mi
Elevation gain
2,980 m
Typical duration
36 hr
  • Pilgrimage route
  • Waymarked route
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Jakobsweg Neresheim - Ulm

Bavaria · Germany

Distance
67.6 km
/ 42.0 mi
Elevation gain
1,487 m
Typical duration
17 hr
  • Pilgrimage route
  • Waymarked route
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Jakobsweg Nürnberg-Eichstätt

Bavaria · Germany

Distance
88.8 km
/ 55.2 mi
Elevation gain
1,953 m
Typical duration
23 hr
  • Pilgrimage route
  • Waymarked route
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Jakobsweg Rothenburg - Bargau

Bavaria · Germany

Distance
115 km
/ 71.3 mi
Elevation gain
2,524 m
Typical duration
30 hr
  • Pilgrimage route
  • Waymarked route
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Jakobsweg Schwabach-Oettingen

Bavaria · Germany

Distance
77.2 km
/ 47.9 mi
Elevation gain
1,697 m
Typical duration
20 hr
  • Pilgrimage route
  • Waymarked route
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Mittelfränkischer Jakobsweg

Bavaria · Germany

Distance
89.0 km
/ 55.3 mi
Elevation gain
1,958 m
Typical duration
23 hr
  • Pilgrimage route
  • Waymarked route
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Rhön-Rennsteig-Weg

Bavaria · Germany

Distance
100 km
/ 62.2 mi
Elevation gain
2,203 m
Typical duration
26 hr
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Wanderweg Steigerwälder Jakobsweg

Bavaria · Germany

Distance
82.0 km
/ 50.9 mi
Elevation gain
1,804 m
Typical duration
21 hr
  • Pilgrimage route
  • Waymarked route
  • Long-distance path

The shortlist, side by side

The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.

Distance, ascent, walking time and difficulty for the top routes
RouteDistanceAscentTimeDifficultyBest season
European long distance path E6, Germany, Alternative Bavarian ForestBavarian Forest National Park40.6 km894 m10 hrExpertApril to October
Goldsteig Alternative Nr.19Bavarian Forest National Park62.3 km1,371 m16 hrExpertApril to October
European long distance path E6, Germany, OberpfalzBavaria130 km2,862 m34 hrExpertApril to October
Via Romea - Deutschland - BayernBavaria508 km11,181 m137 hrExpertApril to October
Via Romea - Deutschland - ThüringenBavaria186 km4,091 m50 hrExpertApril to October
Ostbayerischer Jakobsweg (Eschlkam > Donauwörth)Bavaria277 km6,089 m74 hrExpertApril to October
European Long distance path E 4 - part Germany (region Chiemgau Alps)Bavaria69.7 km1,534 m18 hrExpertApril to October
European Long distance path E 4 - part Germany (region Chiemgau)Bavaria27.8 km612 m7 hr 6 minHardApril to October
European Long distance path E 4 - part Germany (region Tegernsee)Bavaria41.1 km904 m10 hrExpertApril to October
European Long distance path E 4 - part Germany (region Wendelstein)Bavaria23.6 km519 m5 hr 57 minHardApril to October

If you only have time for one, start with European long distance path E6, Germany, Alternative Bavarian Forest, Goldsteig Alternative Nr.19, European long distance path E6, Germany, Oberpfalz. Those are the routes people come back to. Every route on this page links through to a full guide with the map, elevation profile, seasonal advice and what to bring.

Frequently asked questions

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