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Best Long-Distance Hikes in Hesse

We track 147 routes that match this search in Hesse. They average 75.6 km and 1,707 m (5,600 ft) of ascent, with the longest running to 292 km.

That is 7 percent of the 1,972 routes we map in Hesse. They run noticeably longer than average for the area, 75.6 km against 16.5 km, so budget more daylight than a typical outing here. The climbing is steeper too: 1,707 m (5,600 ft) on average versus 367 m (1,204 ft) across the wider area.

Multi-day paths, normally walked in stages, with the accommodation and waymarking to support them. The mix is broad: 11 are rated easy and 132 are hard or harder, so there is something here whether you have two hours or a full day.

Trails

Expert

Jakobsweg Via Regia 6

Hesse · Germany

Distance
97.5 km
/ 60.6 mi
Elevation gain
2,145 m
Typical duration
26 hr
  • Pilgrimage route
  • Waymarked route
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Hessenweg 1 (Etappen 11-15)

Hesse · Germany

Distance
106 km
/ 66.2 mi
Elevation gain
2,343 m
Typical duration
28 hr
  • 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
Hessenweg 8 (Teilstück Korbach - Bad Wildungen)Nationalpark Kellerwald-Edersee64.9 km1,428 m17 hrExpertApril to October
Hugenotten- und Waldenserpfad (Hauptweg - Teilstrecke Frankenberg - Naumburg (Hessen))Nationalpark Kellerwald-Edersee68.5 km1,507 m18 hrExpertApril to October
Kellerwaldsteig, Nordschleife (mit Alternative A1)Nationalpark Kellerwald-Edersee83.0 km5,945 m28 hrExpertApril to October
European Long distance path E1 - part Germany, Hessen (region Taunus east)Hesse50.9 km1,120 m13 hrExpertApril to October
European Long distance path E1 - part Germany, Reinland-Pfalz (region Taunus West)Hesse39.1 km860 m10 hrExpertApril to October
European Long distance path E1 - part Germany, Hessen (region Forest of Odes north)Hesse95.4 km2,099 m25 hrExpertApril to October
Jakobsweg Via Regia 6Hesse97.5 km2,145 m26 hrExpertApril to October
European Long distance path E1 - part Germany, Hessen (region Taunus centre)Hesse31.4 km691 m8 hr 5 minHardApril to October
European Long distance path E1 - part Germany, Nordrhein-Westfalen (south)Hesse172 km3,786 m46 hrExpertApril to October
European Walking Route E3, Rhein - TaunusHesse59.5 km1,309 m15 hrExpertApril to October

If you only have time for one, start with Hessenweg 8 (Teilstück Korbach - Bad Wildungen), Hugenotten- und Waldenserpfad (Hauptweg - Teilstrecke Frankenberg - Naumburg (Hessen)), Kellerwaldsteig, Nordschleife (mit Alternative A1). 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.

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