A day’s hike
Motel One and hiking? Goes well together here:
Climbing the dunes around Nuremberg
Are there really dunes in the middle of Franconia? Yes – they’ve been there since the Ice Age, and you can explore them to your heart’s content on an 85-kilometre circular dune trail. The hiking route – which can also be walked in five stages – leads through a multifaceted landscape somewhat reminiscent of the North Sea coast. Choose between the routes with the enchanted Rumpelbach Gorge, the picturesque Schloss Schwaig and the Sophienquelle spring at Grünsberg. The closest route to Motel One Nuremberg-Hauptbahnhof is the 19-kilometre stage from Röthenbach an der Pegnitz to Brunn.
Here’s how to get there: You can reach Röthenbach from Nuremberg main station with the U2 in less than 15 minutes. For those setting off from Altdorf, it will take about 30 minutes with the S2.
Enjoy getting out and about in Würzburg
Short and snappy – that’s this hike with a view of the Würzburg vineyards. At just 3.65 kilometres, the distance is also perfect for families with children. Enjoy beautiful views of the Marienburg at the start of the one-hour route, which looks out over the Main Valley as it leads you past the grapevines. At the end, you can reward yourself with a glass of wine from the region’s most famous winegrowing location, the Würzburger Stein.
Here’s how to get there: The route starts at Würzburg’s Steinburg Schlosshotel. You can get here in 30 minutes by public transport, or you can start the hike right from the Motel One on Paradeplatz and walk through the old town to the Steinburg in half an hour.
View of the Weser in Bremen
We know, of course, that Bremen isn’t your typical hiking destination! But there’s certainly no shortage of leisurely strolls. Motel One Bremen is situated right on the River Weser, making it a great starting point for walks along the water’s edge and longer strolls through the city’s green spaces. The Schlachte riverside promenade is practically on your doorstep, and you set the pace here yourself.
If you fancy extending your walk a little, the route through Bürgerpark and Stadtwald is the perfect continuation. It leads through expansive parkland, past water features, meadows and ancient trees – exactly the sort of stroll that works without a mountain backdrop yet still gives you the feeling of really being outdoors.
How to get there: From Motel One Bremen, you start right by the River Weser and can begin by walking along the Schlachte. For a longer green route, you can extend the walk towards Bürgerpark and Stadtwald – straightforward, relaxed and ideal for a half-day in the fresh air.
A Spanish regional park that caters to every taste
The Cuenca Alta del Río Manzanares Regional Park was honoured with inclusion in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 1993. And for good reason: here, the focus is on preserving nature in harmony with traditional management by the local population. And the proximity to the Spanish capital also makes the almost 50,000-hectare regional park something special. Hikers are spoilt for choice: whether you head for the Monte de El Pardo area, choose Manzanares El Real Castle as your destination, or just set off to wander the park’s natural wonders, you’ll never have a chance to get bored!
Here’s how to get there: You can reach the green oasis in about an hour by car. The visitor centres of La Pedriza and Valle de la Fuenfría are ideal starting points for walks, and also offer parking.
From Dublin to the sea
In addition to its many attractions and small restaurants, the picturesque harbour town of Howth is known for the Howth Cliff Walk, a coastal path. Here, you can choose between four different routes with a duration of two to three hours. While the Cliff Path Loop (6 km), the Tramline Loop (7 km) and the Black Linn Loop (8 km) offer shorter distances, the Bog of Frogs Loop at 12 km is for hikers with a little more stamina. Rugged cliffs and phenomenal views combined with a sea breeze create the perfect coastal hiking experience.
Here’s how to get there: The Howth Peninsula is located north of Dublin and can be reached in about 30 minutes by rental car. Alternatively, you can take the H3 bus or the DART (Dublin railway line).
A breath of fresh air in Stuttgart
The motto in Stuttgart? Stroll! Instead of steep climbs, you’ll find a green route featuring parkland, wide paths and plenty of views – perfect for stepping away from city life for a few hours. A tour through the so-called ‘Green U’ is particularly lovely. This roughly eight-kilometre-long green corridor connects some of Stuttgart’s most beautiful parks – from Rosensteinpark via Leibfriedschen Garten and Wartberg to Höhenpark Killesberg. The route is ideal for anyone who prefers a gentle stroll to a competitive workout: plenty of greenery, minimal logistical effort and just the right mix of city and nature.
How to get there: From Motel One Stuttgart-Feuerbach, head towards Rosensteinpark. There, the green axis of the ‘Grünes U’ begins almost of its own accord – with no long journey, but plenty of space to start running.
Through Salzburg on the Way of St James
Many people don’t know that a particularly beautiful stage of the Way of St James runs right through Salzburg. The starting point of the 10-kilometre route is the pilgrimage basilica of Maria Plain. It then follows the Salzach river and crosses the picturesque old town of the fourth largest city in Austria. The blue and yellow shell signs will lead you to Cathedral Square, through the Neutor, past the Stiegl brewery in Maxglan and finally to the Jakobuskirche church in Gois.
Here’s how to get there: You can reach the Maria Plain pilgrimage church in just 11 minutes by car or around 40 minutes on foot from Motel One Salzburg-Mirabell.
A breath of fresh air in Munich by the River Isar
Munich isn’t just a big city; it also has a surprising amount of green space. Right in the city centre, a simple stroll along the banks of the Isar quickly turns into a little break. A walk to and around the Flaucher is particularly lovely for a gentle day’s stroll: the stretch along the Isar is one of Munich’s most popular recreational areas and is ideal for simply setting off: sometimes along gravel paths, sometimes by the water’s edge, sometimes with a stop at the Flauchersteg. Between Brudermühlbrücke and the southern city limits, Munich shows its relaxed side – with plenty of nature, wide riverbanks and, should your legs need a rest, traditional beer gardens within easy reach.
How to get there: From Motel One München-Campus, for example, it’s a downhill walk of about 25 minutes or a few minutes by public transport towards the Isar (the quickest way is by underground to Kolumbusplatz or Fraunhoferstraße). Once you arrive at the Flaucher, the walk practically starts of its own accord – including places to rest at one of the kiosks on the riverbank and a chance to cool off in summer (be sure to pack your swimwear!)
Panoramic walks around Freiburg
If you want to go for a walk in Freiburg, you don’t have to venture far out of the city: the Schlossberg is particularly beautiful, and the Panoramaweg trail overlooking the city is ideal for an easy stroll. The circular route is officially described as a ‘pleasure trail’ and offers views of the city, the Black Forest and the Rhine Valley. If you fancy a slightly longer walk, you can continue on the ‘Entdeckertour’ (Discovery Trail): It leads from the Stadtgarten via the Schlossberg to St. Ottilien and, on the way back, past Kanonenplatz, Mez’schen Gärten and other vantage points back towards the city centre.
How to get there: From Motel One Freiburg, it’s an easy walk through the old town towards Schwabentor and the Stadtgarten. That’s where the path up the Schlossberg begins – with no long journey and a real sense of nature almost right behind the historic backdrop.
