Water hiking

A peaceful hiking trail next to a flowing river in a lush green forest.

Manuel Andrack takes you on magical hikes with water as your companion.

Even the ancient Greeks knew that the most noble element is water.

And although all hikers prefer to hike rather than swim, they love to hike along bodies of water. It is no coincidence that hikes along local rivers are very popular. The Rheinsteig and Moselsteig trails have already become long-distance classics. The Ahrsteig and Nahesteig trails are also becoming increasingly popular. And anyone who has ever been to the Saar Loop knows what magic a winding river can exude (!).

A man with glasses smiling during a hike in a forest, with a small stream and other hikers in the background.

And not to forget: The mill rattles by the rushing stream. It doesn't always have to be rivers, streams, large and small, are also fantastic companions. Just thinking of the Eifel - I loved hiking the Lieserpfad, marveling at Eltz Castle on the Elzbach, walking the romantic Endert Valley with its many mills all the way to Cochem. Hiking along streams is a journey on foot into a magical natural landscape. But still waters are also wonderful. Countless hiking trails in Germany surround ponds, small and large lakes. The greatest water spectacle, however, is of course waterfalls. It is not for nothing that the waterfall trail in Bad Urach was voted Germany's most beautiful hiking trail

View from a hilltop showing a river winding through a valley, surrounded by green vegetation and distant rolling hills under a blue sky.

Hans Castorp is also fascinated in The Magic Mountain: "He crossed the footbridge and sat down to be entertained by the sight of the falling water, the floating foam." Thomas Mann put it beautifully: The waterfall is great cinema, pure natural entertainment.

Hiking research has found that bodies of water are one of the three most popular destinations for hikers, alongside peaks and castles. It should be noted, however, that many a castle on the Rhine and Moselle, for example, also offers a view of the water. And standing on the peaks of Saxon Switzerland, I can see the Elbe.

But why are we so keen to hike along bodies of water? Studies by nature psychologists have shown that a landscape with water is perceived as beautiful in all cultures around the world. The reason is probably that water has meant life since time immemorial. We cannot survive without water, which is why the sight of water makes us happy - like the thirsty in the desert in an oasis. I'm off then - for a walk on the water.

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Hiking and water

Manuel Andrack takes you on magical hikes with water as your companion.