Skip to main content
EN
Deutsch English Français Nederlands
A couple stands on a sunlit forest trail near a cross on a rocky hill, with lush greenery around them. Side images show scenic spots: a lake, castle, half-timbered houses, and an observation platform. Text promotes voting for the Druidensteig.
News

Druidensteig wants to become "Germany's most beautiful hiking trail 2026"

Westerwald, 20.02.2026. Castles, architectural monuments and impressive natural sites: The beauty of an entire region is literally at your feet when you walk along the Druidensteig trail. Between spectacular views and places steeped in history, from Freusburg to Hachenburg, the hiker's heart always beats a little faster. Since its creation almost 30 years ago, the Druidensteig has been extremely popular - and is now set to become even more famous: This year, the certified long-distance hiking trail is in the running for the title of "Germany's most beautiful hiking trail 2026".

Vote here!

The Druidensteig thus follows in the footsteps of the Auenlandweg near Blickhausen, which took second place in the 2023 hiking magazine vote. This year marks the 20th edition of the competition - year after year, tens of thousands of hiking enthusiasts across Germany decide where the most beautiful tours can be found. "The nomination alone is a huge success for us, as the jury selected the Druidensteig from around 100 applications in advance," explains Katrin Cramer from Westerwald Touristik-Service, through which the hiking trail is marketed in cooperation with the participating municipalities.

District Councillors Dr. Peter Enders (AK) and Achim Schwickert (WW) are also looking forward to the vote: "Together, we are very proud that the Westerwald with the Druidensteig can compete on an equal footing with the major tourist destinations in Germany. And, of course, we hope that all local hiking enthusiasts will participate and support us." After all, the competition is tough: the Druidensteig is up against the Rothaarsteig and the Goldsteig in the Bavarian and Upper Palatinate Forest, among others.

While the Auenlandweg still competed in the "day tour" category, the Druidensteig will be in the running for the most beautiful multi-day tour. Hikers can now choose from seven stages, with a total length of 94 kilometers. This makes the Druidensteig the longest georoute in Germany. It was named after the legendary Druidenstein near Kirchen-Herkersdorf, of course. The striking basalt formation has been a national geotope since 2006.

You still have to be patient to vote: Wandermagazin publicly presented the ten nominated trails in each category today (Friday, February 20). The hot phase begins on March 2: every vote counts online at https://wandermagazin.de/wahlstudio. Over the coming weeks and months (until the end of June), there will also be numerous opportunities to "vote" for the Druidensteig using a classic map. Great prizes with a total value of €25,000 will be raffled off among all participants who cast their vote. Further information about the nomination can be found on the Westerwald Touristik-Service website at westerwald.info/druidensteig-waehlen-2026.