Step by step to peace and quiet: Hiking in the Lüneburg Heath

Schneverdingen, September 12, 2025. Wide horizons, gently swaying grasses, and the scent of blooming heather: anyone putting on a backpack at Hotelcamp Reinsehlen starts directly into a landscape that invites you to slow down. Just a short distance away, the Heidschnuckenweg and the Heideschleifen loop trails begin—two of Germany's most beautiful hiking areas. Here, it is not about pace or athletic performance, but about the experience of being outdoors, clearing your mind, and leaving everyday life behind.

Hiking continues to be a strong trend in Germany. Following a massive boom during the COVID-19 pandemic, the passion for hiking across the country remains high. According to Statista, around 17.6 million Germans went on a hiking or backpacking vacation in 2023. The motives behind this are often similar: exploring new places, doing something good for your health, but above all, experiencing the beauty of nature, switching off, and literally getting away from constant smartphone notifications. Increasingly, hiking is also seen as a conscious antidote to non-stop digital presence. The landscape of the Lüneburg Heath uniquely invites visitors to pause, marvel, and reconnect with their own natural rhythm.

Unique and Award-Winning Hiking Trails

Germany boasts a network of approximately 300,000 kilometers of marked hiking trails. Some of the finest are located right in the vicinity of Hotelcamp Reinsehlen. Several Heideschleifen loop trails and entry points to the Heidschnuckenweg are just minutes away, allowing guests to step right out into an award-winning hiking terrain.

The Büsenbachtal Loop was voted the second-best day tour in Germany by Wandermagazin in 2025. The 13.4-kilometer circular trail showcases the vibrant diversity of the Lüneburg Heath—from open terrain and idyllic valleys to enchanting woodland stretches.

The Heidschnuckenweg has also collected numerous accolades: it is certified as a Quality Trail (Qualitätswanderweg) by the German Hiking Association (Deutscher Wanderverband). In 2013, it was ranked 3rd among Germany's most beautiful hiking trails. Its second stage placed 1st in 2014, and its fourth stage took 3rd place in 2019 in Wandermagazin's vote for Germany's finest hiking tour. The 223-kilometer long-distance trail from Hamburg to Celle passes through more than 30 heather fields.

Globetrotter Hiking Days in Schneverdingen

A special highlight for hiking enthusiasts is the Globetrotter Hiking Days (Globetrotter Wandertage), taking place from September 26 to 28, 2025 in Schneverdingen—right on Hotelcamp Reinsehlen's doorstep. For three days, the motto is “Our heart beats outdoors!” featuring over 400 spots across guided tours, inspiring workshops, and evening events.

The selection of tours ranges from mindfulness and yoga walks to sunrise photo tours and culinary strolls featuring Heath tapas or regional snacks. Exciting experience hikes such as “Sheep Spotting” (Schnucken gucken) or walks through the Pietzmoor bog are also part of the program. In the evenings, events at the sheep pen in the Heidegarten feature music, regional cuisine, and plenty of opportunity to connect and unwind together.

The main hub for the weekend is the sheep pen at the Heidegarten in Schneverdingen, located just about 3 kilometers from Hotelcamp Reinsehlen. For hotel guests, this means tying up their hiking boots and setting off directly to the starting point.

A Hotel That Offers Space

After a hike, guests at Hotelcamp Reinsehlen are welcomed not only by comfort, but also by the ideal atmosphere to take a deep breath: rooms with views over the open countryside, regional cuisine, and peaceful retreats surrounded by nature. The hotel considers itself part of the natural environment: it was consciously constructed with sustainable materials and is operated with respect for its surroundings.

Many guests experience their stay not only as a discovery of new trails, but also as an opportunity to cultivate fresh thoughts. That is its true value: experiencing nature, recharging, and returning with clarity—and often with a newfound sense of calm.

Jan Lohmann, Lodge Reinsehlen

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