In the footsteps of the Cheruscan – hiking Germany's Hermannsweg
Hiking Collection by Anette
8
days
4-7 h
/ day
104 mi
10,675 ft
10,075 ft
The popular Hermannsweg is a beautiful high-level trail through an important historical landscape: Arminius, a Cheruscan prince, gathered various Germanic tribes under his banner to drive the Roman occupying forces back across the Rhine. Arminius, who today is known only as Hermann, had come to Rome as a hostage and had been trained there as a military officer. When he returned to Germania, his exact knowledge enabled him and his allies to defeat the all-powerful legions and free the countries on the right of the Rhine from the Roman grip.
The exact location of the decisive Varus Battle is no longer known today, but both the Hermannsweg and the huge Hermann memorial are reminiscent of the brave commander. In eight stages you hike over a distance of about 157 kilometres (97 miles) along the ridge of the Teutoburg Forest and over the unjustly little known Eggegebirge. In the constant ups and downs, the Hermannsweg leads you through untouched beech forests, to wonderful views and exciting rock formations. It is a special moment when you find yourself at the foot of the Hermann Monument.
Your hike on the Hermannsweg begins in the tranquil town of Rheine in Münsterland. The trail is marked with a white 'H' on a black background along the entire route. Thanks to good bus and train connections, you can easily choose only individual stages as a day hike or put together your favourite stages for a hike lasting several days. With its railway stations, the stage destinations Hörstel, Borgholzhausen, Bielefeld and Detmold are particularly suitable as entry or exit points for your tour.
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Last updated: January 20, 2022
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The 8 stages of the Hermannsweg hiking trail
- Expert05:2213.0 mi2.4 mph350 ft250 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Your first stage on the Hermannsweg begins in Rheine. From here you walk a bit upstream along the Ems, which you cross at the so-called Soldiers' Bridge. Soon you have left the city behind and the Hermannsweg meanders through wide fields and small wooded areas in the direction of the Teutoburg Forest…
by Anette
- Expert05:2512.2 mi2.2 mph1,225 ft875 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The first mountain stage is on the second day of hiking. From the Nasse Dreieck it then goes parallel to the Dortmund-Ems Canal up to the crest of the Teutoburg Forest. The name is deceptive here: It is not just a forest, but above all a distinctive and long low mountain range.
From the bank of the canal…
by Anette
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- Expert05:4513.0 mi2.3 mph1,050 ft1,200 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The third stage on the Hermannsweg begins in Tecklenburg. You leave the city in a southerly direction. The path takes you past the Königsseen and over the motorway and you are back in the middle of nature.
With small ascents and descents, the Hermannsweg meanders further over the mountain range of the…
by Anette
- Expert06:4514.7 mi2.2 mph1,675 ft1,650 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
On the fourth stage, the Teutoburg Forest lives up to its name: starting in Bad Iburg, the Hermannsweg runs through quiet forests for almost the entire route. The first section takes you through the unspoilt Freeden Nature Reserve.
Afterwards you walk a bit along the edge of the forest and then climb…
by Anette
- Expert07:4816.9 mi2.2 mph2,100 ft2,150 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Freshly recovered you start your hike in Borgholzhausen. You follow the Hermannsweg to Ravensberg Castle, the first big highlight of the day. The well-preserved small castle with its courtyard tavern is located on a foothill of the Teutoburg Forest and is a nice place for a first rest.
From there it goes…
by Anette
- Intermediate04:139.46 mi2.2 mph1,000 ft675 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
The sixth stage of the Hermannsweg starts in the city center of Bielefeld. After a detour to the Sparrenburg on the mountain of the same name, you leave the city via a narrow strip of green.
Soon Bielefeld is behind you and you hike gently uphill on the Hermannsweg to the ridge of the Teutoburg Forest…
by Anette
- Expert05:3312.3 mi2.2 mph1,450 ft950 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
On the seventh stage, the Teutoburg Forest shows itself from its most beautiful side. As in the times of Arminius the Cheruscan, dense forests cover the ridge and its wide slopes. From Oerlinghausen it goes right at the beginning up to the Kammweg.
It then goes leisurely downhill through dense forest…
by Anette
- Expert05:5012.1 mi2.1 mph1,850 ft2,300 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Your last stage begins again at the foot of Hermann, the Cherusker. Here you descend from the Grotenburg and thus also leave the Teutoburg Forest. From the village of Berlebeck, the lowest point of the stage, the Eggegebirge follows directly.
It goes through forests over small mountains and hills until…
by Anette
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Collection Stats
- Tours8
- Distance104 mi
- Duration46:42 h
- Elevation10,675 ft10,075 ft
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