The Neckarsteig trail – 9 stages along the edge of the Odenwald
Hiking Collection by Touristikgemeinschaft Odenwald
9
days
2-5 h
/ day
79.9 mi
11,525 ft
11,425 ft
On its journey to the Rhine, the Neckar flows through the southern foothills of the mountainous Odenwald. Here, between the densely wooded mountain slopes, trillions of liters of passing water has forged out a romantic valley over time. And this is exactly what you're going to explore over these nine stages of the Neckarsteig. The varied hiking trail not only runs along the steep slopes of the Neckar Valley, it also leads you through enchanted forests, to impressive castle ruins, to unspoilt streams and small half-timbered towns.
The Neckarsteig runs in nine stages from the winding old town of Heidelberg through the wooded mountain ranges of the Odenwald to Bad Wimpfen. It follows the meandering course of the Neckar river, but also leads through small side valleys and over extensive high plateaus. If you are interested in old castles and medieval town centers, you will have a lot of fun on the Neckarsteig. Along the Neckar valley, there are fantastic knight's castles and the small villages and towns along the river look back on centuries of history. Your special Highlights will be the Heidelberg Castle, the Hirschhorn Castle, the old town of Bad Wimpfen and the perfectly preserved Guttenberg Castle.
No single stage exceeds 12 miles (20 kilometers) and, due to the moderate differences in altitude, even comfortable hikers and families with sporty children can easily master the Neckarsteig. If you don't have nine days in a row, or if you're just interested in a single stage, that's no problem either: all stage locations can be reached quickly and easily by bus and train from Heidelberg. As there are hardly any inns or restaurants along the individual stages, however, it is best to take provisions and plenty of water with you on your hikes.
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Last updated: March 14, 2023
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All stages of the Neckarsteig trail
- Expert04:508.76 mi1.8 mph2,050 ft2,000 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
The first stage from the Neckarsteig leads you from the magical old town of Heidelberg up to the Königsstuhl, one of the city's two local mountains. From here the hiking trail meanders leisurely through the forest downhill to the stage destination Neckargemünd, where you stand on the banks of the Neckar…
- Intermediate02:415.32 mi2.0 mph1,050 ft1,100 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The second stage is a real pleasure hike, because you don't even expect a nine kilometer route and only a moderate 300 meters in ascent and descent. That works out well, because on today's tour you have enough time to explore the well-preserved festivals and the picturesque old town of Dilsberg. From…
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- Intermediate04:5610.4 mi2.1 mph1,425 ft1,425 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
The third stage begins in the “city of four castles” Neckarsteinach. Here not only does the Steinach flow into the Neckar, but around the city you can also admire four imposing castles. Of these, the middle castle is still inhabited today and the front castle is the seat of the forest administration…
- Intermediate03:417.58 mi2.1 mph1,250 ft1,225 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
The castle of the same name towers above Hirschhorn. This has been spared major destruction over the centuries and is now considered one of the most beautiful and best preserved castles in the Neckar Valley. After a visit to the castle, you hike on comfortable paths over a wooded ridge to the stage destination…
- Expert05:3111.4 mi2.1 mph2,200 ft1,525 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
With a distance of over 18 kilometers, the fifth stage is also the longest on the Neckarsteig. After completing four days of hiking, you will have already run in properly and will master this beautiful stage without any problems. From Eberbach, the hiking trail leads you over a mountain ridge with great…
- Intermediate04:4610.8 mi2.3 mph725 ft1,250 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
On the edge of the Neckar Valley, the sixth stage takes you via the village of Neckarkatzenbach down to Neckargerach. On the way, the hiking trail runs around the Mittelberg. It bears its name rightly, because the flat and elongated mountain ridge rises in the middle of a wide valley. The Neckarsteig…
- Expert03:548.31 mi2.1 mph975 ft975 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
At the beginning of the seventh stage, the Neckarsteig has an adventurous gem in store for you. South of Neckargerach, the Flursbach cut a wild and romantic gorge into the red sandstone of the Odenwald on its way down to the Neckar. Here you climb up through the valley on metal stairs and walkways. Afterwards…
- Intermediate04:028.47 mi2.1 mph1,250 ft1,350 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The eighth stage takes you through the southern foothills of the Odenwald. The low mountain range is characterized by gentle hilly landscapes and extensive, open plateaus. Even the Neckar has not cut too deeply into the landscape and its banks are surrounded by wide meadows and fields. On this stage…
- Intermediate03:508.76 mi2.3 mph650 ft575 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The ninth and last stage of the Neckarsteig is the culmination of your hike. The hiking trail leads you leisurely over gentle hills and wide meadows. You leisurely hike towards your destination and enjoy the picturesque views of the Neckar one last time. The valley opens up and wide meadows and small…
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Collection Stats
- Tours9
- Distance79.9 mi
- Duration38:11 h
- Elevation11,525 ft11,425 ft
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