Think that hiking’s only possible in the mountains? Think again! How about a wine walk through the Franconian vineyards or a city break with a detour along the Way of St James? The most beautiful walks starting from our hotels.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.