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Hard Hiking Trails in Bavaria

We track 878 routes that match this search in Bavaria. They average 50.4 km and 1,106 m (3,629 ft) of ascent, with the longest running to 581 km.

That is 23 percent of the 3,807 routes we map in Bavaria. They run noticeably longer than average for the area, 50.4 km against 17.0 km, so budget more daylight than a typical outing here. The climbing is steeper too: 1,106 m (3,629 ft) on average versus 372 m (1,220 ft) across the wider area.

Hard routes mean sustained ascent, long descents and a real need to watch the clock and the forecast. These lean toward the demanding end, so plan for a full day and check the forecast before you commit.

Trails

Hard

Via Alpina Purple A41

Nationalpark Berchtesgaden · Bavaria

Distance
16.0 km
/ 9.9 mi
Elevation gain
352 m
Typical duration
3 hr 53 min
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
Hard

Zlatá stezka

Šumava National Park · Bavaria

Distance
16.2 km
/ 10.1 mi
Elevation gain
356 m
Typical duration
3 hr 57 min
  • Waymarked route
Hard

[M] Bučina - Horní Vltavice

Šumava National Park · Bavaria

Distance
17.8 km
/ 11.0 mi
Elevation gain
391 m
Typical duration
4 hr 22 min
  • Waymarked route
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
Hard

Luchsfährte

Bavarian Forest National Park · Bavaria

Distance
24.8 km
/ 15.4 mi
Elevation gain
546 m
Typical duration
6 hr 17 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
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
Hard

AV Weg 421 (Wimbachtal)

Nationalpark Berchtesgaden · Bavaria

Distance
17.3 km
/ 10.7 mi
Elevation gain
380 m
Typical duration
4 hr 14 min
  • Waymarked route
Hard

Ahorn

Bavarian Forest National Park · Bavaria

Distance
18.7 km
/ 11.6 mi
Elevation gain
411 m
Typical duration
4 hr 37 min
  • Waymarked route
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

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 N16: Großer Falkenstein - RachelBavarian Forest National Park27.0 km595 m6 hr 53 minHardApril to October
Via Alpina Purple A41Nationalpark Berchtesgaden16.0 km352 m3 hr 53 minHardApril to October
Goldsteig Alternative Nr.19Bavarian Forest National Park62.3 km1,371 m16 hrExpertApril to October
Zlatá stezkaŠumava National Park16.2 km356 m3 hr 57 minHardApril to October
Zlatá stezka Mauth - Kašperské HoryŠumava National Park42.6 km936 m11 hrExpertApril to October
Zlatá stezka Zwiesel - HartmaniceŠumava National Park17.3 km380 m4 hr 14 minHardApril to October
[M] Bučina - Horní VltaviceŠumava National Park17.8 km391 m4 hr 22 minHardApril to October
[Ž] Zlatá Studna - Gsenget, hran. přech.Šumava National Park27.4 km604 m7 hrHardApril to October
European long distance path E6, Germany, OberpfalzBavaria130 km2,862 m34 hrExpertApril to October

If you only have time for one, start with European long distance path E6, Germany, Alternative Bavarian Forest, Goldsteig N16: Großer Falkenstein - Rachel, Via Alpina Purple A41. 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

Related guides

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