Germany's newest hiking trail, situated in Saxony, is the country's most stunning!
In a grand celebration of nature and culture, the Caspar-David-Friedrich-Weg has been named Germany's most beautiful hiking trail of 2025. Located on Rügen Island in northeastern Germany, this scenic route offers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural history[1][4].
The trail, which is named after the famous Romantic painter Caspar David Friedrich, takes hikers through the striking chalk white cliffs and ancient beech forests that have been immortalized in Friedrich's paintings[1][4]. Rügen Island, renowned for its Baltic Sea coast and extensive forests, provides a breathtaking backdrop for this picturesque hike.
The Caspar-David-Friedrich-Weg offers a glimpse into the world that inspired Friedrich's masterpieces. One of the trail's most notable features is the rock with the wanderer's gaze into the distance, which lies below the Kaiserkrone in Schöna. This rock formation is famously depicted in Friedrich's most famous painting: "Wanderer above a Sea of Fog"[2].
The trail, which is 15 km long, underwent a significant revision last year to make it more attractive for hikers[3]. The public works department worked diligently to pave a new route, and the trail is now in the category "Day tours" among over 100 hiking trails throughout Germany[3].
The trail's recognition comes as part of the anniversary year "250 years of Caspar David Friedrich". Dr. Andreas Heine, the mayor of Reinhardtsdorf-Schöna, expressed his delight about the award, stating it underscores the importance of tourism in Saxony and hiking[5]. Culture Minister Barbara Klepsch (CDU) also expressed pride over the award, highlighting the trail's contribution to Saxony's tourism industry[5].
Heine also took the opportunity to thank the farmers for enabling landscape care and dreamlike views along the trail through their field management[5]. He also expressed gratitude towards the volunteers who contributed to the Caspar-David-Friedrich-Weg project.
The trail competed against other notable hiking trails in Germany, with over 45,000 hiking enthusiasts participating in the vote. The Caspar-David-Friedrich-Weg received over 6,000 votes, securing its place as Germany's most beautiful hiking trail of 2025[6]. The Kammweg Erzgebirge-Vogtland came in third in the "Multi-day tours" category[6].
Interestingly, the Malerweg Elbsandsteingebirge won in the category "Multi-day tours" in 2007, marking a significant milestone for the Caspar-David-Friedrich-Weg as it is the first time a Saxon trail has won the public competition since 2007[7].
In conclusion, the Caspar-David-Friedrich-Weg offers a captivating hiking experience that combines natural beauty with cultural history. For those who wish to follow in the footsteps of one of Germany’s most famous painters, this trail is an unmissable destination.
| Feature | Details | |-------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------| | Name | Caspar-David-Friedrich-Weg | | Recognition | Germany’s most beautiful hiking trail of 2025 | | Location | Rügen Island, Jasmund National Park, Germany | | Landscape Highlights | Chalk white cliffs, ancient beech forests | | Cultural Significance | Inspiration source for painter Caspar David Friedrich | | Length | 15 km | | Competition History | First Saxon trail to win since 2007 | | Voting Participants | Over 45,000 hiking enthusiasts | | Votes Received | Over 6,000 votes | | Category | Day tours | | Revision | Extensively revised, modernized, and extended last year | | Notable Competitors | Malerweg Elbsandsteingebirge (2007 winner), Kammweg Erzgebirge-Vogtland (2025 third place in Multi-day tours) |
Embracing theoutdoor-living experience, the Caspar-David-Friedrich-Weg trail, inspired by the paintings of its namesake, seamlessly integrates home-and-garden-like ambiance within the scenery of Rügen Island's forests and cliffs. As day-tour hikers immerse themselves in the enchanting landscape, they find themselves transported into the world that once inspired the masterpieces of Caspar David Friedrich, connecting appreciators of art with the natural beauty of Germany.
