Experience unforgettable nature adventures in and around our youth hostels! Whether by the sea, in the mountains, on lakes and rivers or in the middle of nature: our accommodation offers you the opportunity to travel in an environmentally conscious way and explore Germany's beautiful nature.
A sustainable mindset determines everyday life in the youth hostels: from more conscious nutrition with healthy delicacies from the region to climate-neutral overnight stays. In addition, the focus is on new buildings, modernisations and sustainable energy and waste concepts. But what makes a youth hostel a sustainable destination?
Many youth hostels are located within walking distance (or a short bus and train ride) of the train station. So you can combine environmentally conscious travel with a great short trip.
Our tip: On the youth hostel pages, you can find tips on how to reach them by train and bus or train and the distance to the nearest train station or bus stop.
More and more people are turning to organic products. That is why our youth hostels focus on organically certified food. Currently, almost 100 of more than 400 youth hostels are certified with the EU organic label.
In terms of the type of certification, the youth hostels have chosen to offer certain foods that are of organic quality. These include products such as honey, milk, pasta, eggs, coffee, tea and fruit, which are labelled as organic foods.
By using organic food, the youth hostels make a further contribution to environmental and climate protection and to healthy nutrition. More and more – step by step.
All youth hostels with organic certification »Environmental protection and sustainability are two important issues that German youth hostels stand up for and are committed to. All our Environmental | youth hostels are situated in a particularly idyllic location in the middle of nature.
Environmental | youth hostels specialise in promoting ecological and social learning in a variety of ways. Here, living environments can be experienced in a conscious and sustainable way.
What makes them special:
Germany boasts fantastic natural paradises. On foot, you can easily discover the most beautiful regions and the most remote corners. Our tip: Simply hike in and through Germany!
Turquoise rivers and lakes. Snow-white dunes. Evergreen forests. Majestic peaks and glaciers. We present you phenomenal holiday destinations for a hiking holiday. Whether by yourself, as a couple or with the whole family, have fun on your hiking adventure in Germany!
Europe's largest contiguous area of heathland has much more to offer than "just" the nature park of the same name.
This inspires adults and children in all seasons with its magical colours. Especially from mid-August, when the Lüneburg Heath glows a vibrant purple for around four weeks.
With its vastness, the region in the northeast of Lower Saxony invites you to numerous hiking trips. The Hanseatic city of Lüneburg with the largest medieval town hall in northern Germany and the royal seat of Celle with its castle are also worth a visit.
Best starting point: the YOUTH HOSTEL MÜDEN/ÖRTZE
Mining – for many, this is the first buzzword they associate with the Erzgebirge/Vogtland Nature Park.
No wonder: Approximately 800 years of mining history, forest use and agriculture have formed a richly structured cultural landscape in this region.
The vast landscapes, varied paths, mysterious moors and picturesque lakes almost magically attract children, adults and outdoor sports enthusiasts. Hikers will get their money's worth with around 5,000 kilometres of hiking trails.
Best starting point: the YOUTH HOSTEL KLINGENTHAL
Our next tip is hidden in the gently undulating, wooded hills of Thuringia: the Eisenberger Mühltal.
The region is crossed by the pretty Raudabach. One of the most beautiful forest valleys in Thuringia is characterised by its eight historic mills.
No wonder the region seems like it has been made for hiking. And what if the adults and children need a break from hiking? Then you can take a ride in a Kremser, a type of carriage from the 19th century, through the twelve-kilometre-long valley.
Best starting point: the YOUTH HOSTEL EISENBERG
Grimms' Fairy Tales fascinate both children and adults.
Be it Trendelburg Castle, which inspired them to write Rapunzel's Tower, or Sleeping Beauty Castle Sababurg – some of the best-known settings of their fairy tales are waiting to be discovered in the Reinhardswald Nature Park. Here, centuries-old oaks and extensive beech forests attract recreation-seekers and explorers.
Parents and children will find a programme here that appeals to the whole family: hikes, nature park tours, forest bathing or llama trekking. There's something for everyone!
Best starting point: the YOUTH HOSTEL HELMARSHAUSEN
Are you one of those hiking enthusiasts who want to reach for the sky? Then you can't miss Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
In addition to mountain tours in the Wetterstein and Karwendel mountains, the Partnachklamm Gorge and Lake Eibsee invite you to outdoor adventures. The 2,962-metre-high Zugspitze is reached on foot on steep steps and varied paths.
Alternatively, you can also comfortably take the sightseeing gondola or the cogwheel railway.
Best starting point: the YOUTH HOSTEL GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN
Year after year, millions of tourists from all over the world make their way to Neuschwanstein Castle. But Königswinkel in the Allgäu has much more to offer than this fairytale castle.
With the Forggensee, the Bannwaldsee, the Schwansee, the Hopfensee, the Weissensee, the Alatsee and the Alpsee, there are seven swimming lakes to choose from. Hiking tours of every difficulty level guarantee the best starting conditions for mountain excursions.
A highlight that makes the hearts of children and adults beat faster: the summer toboggan run and the Tegelberg cable car, with which they can really pick up speed. A great change from hiking!
Best starting point: the YOUTH HOSTEL FÜSSEN
The legendary low mountain range between the Danube and the Neckar in Baden-Württemberg is considered a particularly attractive holiday region.
Natural spectacles such as the Blautopf spring, the Urach waterfall and fascinating buildings such as Wildenstein Castle provide the perfect starting conditions for an unforgettable journey through time. Hiking enthusiasts will discover countless hiking trails as they roam the landscape.
Best starting point: the YOUTH HOSTEL LEIBERTINGEN-WILDENSTEIN
As the highest mountain range in Northern Germany, the Harz National Park plays a major role.
At the geographical intersection between Saxony-Anhalt, Lower Saxony and Thuringia, extensive landscapes can be discovered – especially on foot. Before or after the hikes, you can look forward to another highlight: a summer toboggan run. It entices you with rapid descents.
Best starting points: the YOUTH HOSTEL THALE, the YOUTH HOSTEL SCHIERKE (the highest youth hostel in Saxony-Anhalt) and the YOUTH HOSTEL TORFHAUS
A landscape that looks like it has been painted: pristine forests, fine sandy beaches, spectacular cliffs and quaint fishing villages. All this and the thatched cottages make the Fischland-Darß-Zingst peninsula one of the first places to head for on the Baltic coast.
Hiking to the west beach, strolling through the Baltic seaside resort of Ahrenshoop – in Darß, every day opens up new perspectives. On top of that, the region is considered one of the sunniest in Germany.
With its colourful Swedish houses, the youth hostel offers unforgettable experiences. The house is nestled in the Darsser Jungle.
Best starting point: the YOUTH HOSTEL BORN-IBENHORST
Whether paddling, sailing, kayaking or canoeing, stand-up paddling or swimming in the natural adventure pool: its waters attract recreational sports enthusiasts from all over Germany.
But the Rursee is much more than a real adventure playground for water lovers. The Eifel National Park is also an adventure area for hikers. Those who prefer to marvel at the mirror-smooth surface in hiking boots are in good hands on the Wasserland route.
Best starting point: the YOUTH HOSTEL SIMMERATH-RURBERG and not far away is also the YOUTH HOSTEL BAD MÜNSTEREIFEL
The YOUTH HOSTEL COCHEM is also geared towards hikers and families with children who, for example, want to explore the Moselsteig trail, which has been certified as a premium trail by the Deutsche Wanderverband (German Hiking Association).
Around 100 kilometres southeast of the capital Berlin lies one of the most beautiful and, at the same time, most unspoiled stream valleys in Brandenburg: the Schlaubetal. An ideal destination for hikers.
In particular: in addition to marshy meadows, crystal-clear lakes and vast forests, many rare species of birds, large butterflies and numerous orchids can be found in a very small area.
Even today, the Schlaube river still drives historic mills. They are a very special place for a stop after an eventful day in the untouched natural paradise.
Best starting point: the YOUTH HOSTEL BREMSDORFER MÜHLE
But youth hostels are not only perfect for a hiking holiday. From climbing parks to canoe rides to bike tours, there are countless ways to enjoy nature to the fullest.
Discover the beauty of nature in Germany and recharge your batteries in our youth hostels. Book your trip today!
By the way: Around 60 youth hostels have been awarded the "Wanderbares Deutschland" certificate. These are guaranteed to be the perfect starting point for a hiking holiday. The listed establishments offer impressive hiking routes and services.
Services in a hiking youth hostel:
In some hostels, you will receive as an extra service:
