In the age of climate change, eco-conscious travel is becoming increasingly important. The Romantic Road, Germany’s only certified quality vacation route, offers nature lovers a wide range of sustainable outdoor experiences and attractive natural destinations that can be reached in a climate-friendly way by bus, train, or bicycle. As temperatures return to pleasant levels in late summer and fall, the desire to enjoy carefree relaxation outdoors in nature grows before winter sets in. The nature parks along the Romantic Road, with all their diverse offerings—from forest and valley hikes to wild mountain gorges—are ideal destinations for sustainable travel experiences.
The romantic little town of Wertheim is nestled between the Spessart Nature Park and the Odenwald Nature Park. Here, you can explore the picturesque Main Valley, hike along certified trails such as the romantic “Liebespfad” (Path of Love) and the “Römersteige” (Roman Trail), or visit natural highlights like the Klingenbach Gorge. With the excellent network of hiking trails around Wertheim, you can set out on scenic paths through meadows and forests, along the water, and past vineyards, immersing yourself in nature. Hiking in and around Wertheim is a varied and enjoyable experience. Time and again, you’ll find benches where you can rest and enjoy beautiful views of the Main and Tauber valleys, or charming sights along the routes such as castles, palaces, or monasteries. For example, on the Tauber Valley Panorama Trail from Bronnbach via Wertheim to Freudenberg, or on the Main Hiking Trail through vineyards and past Triefenstein Monastery all the way to Kreuzwertheim.
The Danube Ries near Nördlingen also offers a hands-on experience of Earth’s history along numerous hiking trails. The Danube and Lech rivers, with their glacial valleys, shape the southern part of the region, while the Swabian and Franconian Alb impress with their juniper heaths and deep forests. The highlight is undoubtedly the Ries, which was formed by a meteorite impact 15 million years ago and creates an almost circular crater between the Swabian and Franconian Alb. The Ries Geopark boasts several unique hiking trails. The “Schäferweg,” for example, follows the traditional paths of wandering shepherds; it is 18 kilometers long and introduces hikers to the geology, settlement history, and expansive heathland landscapes.
If you want to experience pure wilderness, visit the Ammergebirge Nature Reserve, the largest protected area in southern Germany, which encompasses one of the most pristine parts of the Bavarian Alps. Since 1961, efforts have been made to ensure that this unique mountain landscape of the Northern Limestone Alps, with its distinctive flora and fauna, remains intact. One particularly popular hike, for example, leads to the Schleierfälle waterfalls. Here, the wild and romantic Ammer Gorge reveals its most beautiful side to hikers. The moss-covered rocks exude a magical charm. The towns of Rottenbuch and Peiting on the Romantic Road serve as perfect starting points for visiting the Ammergebirge Nature Reserve.
The beautiful town of Halblech, too, is surrounded by the sounds of a regal landscape: There he sat, the “fairy-tale king,” dining high up on the mountain by the Kenzen Waterfall. The cascading, foaming water shimmered in all the colors of the rainbow. According to his personal chef, he is said to have admired the spectacle until dawn. The Kenzen area in Halblech was the royal hunting ground of the Wittelsbach dynasty. Near today’s Kenzenhütte stood Ludwig II’s mountain residence. The Wankerfleck, a secluded high valley, was also a favorite spot of the dreamy king. Here he listened to the sounds of nature. The wind stirs the mighty crowns of the ancient mountain maples. A little stream babbles along. Birdsong blends with the jingle of cowbells. Towering over the scene is the striking, brightly gleaming Geiselstein at 1,882 meters—Alpine romance straight out of a picture book. To experience it, take the four-hour stage of the Allgäu Hiking Trilogy along the “Himmelsstürmer-Wasserläufer” route from Halblech up to the Kenzenhütte. The first part, in particular, is a real hidden gem, offering a panoramic view of the castle park with the royal castles in the distance, as well as the mountains, meadows, and lakes. Shortly afterward, the trail enters the forest and the Ammergebirge Nature Reserve.
