Germany: Hiking tips in times of the coronavirus

A minimum distance of 1.5 meters (5 ft.) must also be maintained on hiking trails and you can only go with as many people as is permitted — this number varies from state to state. Be sure to ask in advance. These hikers are exemplary on the Rosstrappe trail in Saxony-Anhalt. The 403-meter-high granite rock peak is a popular excursion destination in the Harz Mountains.

South of Dresden, the Malerweg celebrates nature. Since the 18th century, the rocks of Saxon Switzerland, a wild and romantic place, have been popular first with artists and later hikers. The usually popular journey by ship from Dresden to the Bastei (photo) is currently not possible as the Elbe steamers remain docked because of the coronavirus — however trains still run to the hiker's paradise.

The Rhine Valley combines nature, culture, history and pleasure. Over 320 kilometers, the Rhine trail follows the great German river from Bonn to Wiesbaden. It passes through villages, vineyards and many castles — tempting stops along the way. Between Bingen and Koblenz alone, there are over 40 of them, and they will gradually reopen from mid-May — like Rheinstein Castle shown here.

The Palatinate Forest is the largest contiguous forest area in Germany. It offers 12,000 kilometers of hiking trails. At its center, beautifully secluded, lies the tiny village of Hauenstein with its bizarre rock formations. On narrow paths, this 15-kilometer tour leads to the peaks of the Palatinate Forest — but without refreshment stops at one of the popular taverns, as those remain closed.

Extinct volcanoes, lonely forests, sunny vineyards and hospitable wine-grower's villages. Both the people of the most populous federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate appreciate the advantages of the Eifel. Over 313 kilometers, the Eifelsteig trail takes you through the low mountain range, from Aachen in the north to Trier in the south.

The Harz mountains are a popular hiking area. The highest peak is the Brocken at 1,141 meters. Currently you can only climb it like Goethe once did: on foot. The historic Brockenbahn train is still taking a break because of coronavirus restrictions. The route the famous poet took is called today — you guessed it — Goethe's Path. It starts in Torfhaus and meanders for 9 kilometers to the summit.

The popular high-altitude trail has been open to tourists since the 19th century. Since 1999 the Rennsteig has been a cultural monument of the federal state of Thuringia. It runs 170 kilometers through the Thuringian Forest, from Eisenach to Blankenstein. Organized hikes with luggage transport and overnight stays will be possible again from May 15, when hotels and restaurants reopen.

The long-distance hiking trail runs for 180 kilometers through the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Rhön with its beech forests, basalt lakes and upland moors. Those who enjoy solitude are in the right place here, as it offers a wide choice of individual day tours. The highest mountain in Hessen, the 950-meter Wasserkuppe, is also included. Overnight stays will again be possible in Hessen from May 15.

Hotels in Bavaria reopen on May 30, making a hike over several days on the 660-kilometer-long Goldsteig trail possible. Between Marktredwitz and Passau, the hiking trail connects the two low mountain ranges of the Upper Palatinate and the Bavarian Forest. The more demanding northern route goes up to thousand meters altitude while the southern route leads more leisurely over mountain ranges.

Hiking in the Wetterstein mountains is popular. The highest point of the Alpine ridge is the Zugspitze, Germany's highest peak at 2,692 meters. The tour around the Eibsee Lake, directly below the Zugspitze, offers an impressive view on the mountains from below. The lake can be walked around in two hours. You can then let your impressions sink in at a beer garden, as they open again from May 18.

Since May 11, horse-drawn carriages have been rolling through the Lüneburg Heath again, and hikers were also allowed to return. The season's highlight is the heather blossom in late summer. By the way, sheep, the Heidschnucken, are used here for landscape conservation. They are the namesake for the 223-kilometer-long hiking route between Hamburg and Celle.

It doesn't always have to be mountains! The Wadden Sea off the coast of Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands is the largest tidal area in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Wadden Route runs for 423 kilometers from East Frisia in Lower Saxony along the coast to Friesland in the Netherlands. From July 1, campsites and holiday resorts there will be fully open again. The summer can come!