Hiking vacation on Rügen

Active time out between the Bodden and the Baltic Sea

Author: Frederike Höhn
Published: May 26, 2025

Two women sit in the forest on the cliffs and look out over the Bodden at sunset.

The old wooden bridge looks as if it had sprung straight out of a landscape painting. To the right and left of the faded wooden planks, the water of the Liddow stream glistens in the sun, which on this day is moving across a blue sky with small white absorbent cotton clouds. Brown and white spotted cows graze in a pasture, an old sailing ship with its sails furled lies in the water and cornflowers, dog roses and poppies add a few cheerful touches of color to the green landscape along the edge of the path.

As if they had wordlessly agreed, Jess and Laura pause in the middle of the bridge and let their gaze wander. The two friends travel to the island of Rügen in search of nature and peace away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Their goal: a hiking vacation on the Bodden Panorama Trail. It is quiet and peaceful here by the stream that carries the water from Lake Tetzitz into the Bodden. Only the rustling of the reeds in the wind and the calls of the flocks of starlings can be heard as they fly in formation across the sky. The friends stretch their faces into the sun and breathe in the clear air.

Two women walk across the Lebbin wooden bridge on the island of Rügen

The Bodden Panorama Trail

Quality hiking trail on Rügen

Here at the Lebbiner Brücke on the Liddow peninsula, the two students have already completed two kilometers of the Bodden Panorama Trail from the starting point in the municipality of Neuenkirchen. This means that the majority of the quality hiking trail awarded by the German Hiking Association still lies ahead of them. Over a total of 24 kilometers, it leads through meadows, forests, villages and fields along the Great Jasmund Bodden. The destination: the Baltic Sea beach in Mukran. The route can be hiked as a sporty day tour or in two day stages with an overnight stay in Ralswiek halfway through. But for Jess and Laura it is clear that they want to reach the Baltic Sea in just one day. So off they go! Let's get going.

The Bodden to the left and Lake Tetzitz to the right, the path climbs slightly shortly after Liddow and rises like a viewing platform above the water, which today throws up small, white whitecaps in the wind. Barley waves in the wind on the field at the edge of the path. Blades of grass tickle the legs of the two women, who are wearing short hiking shorts with their sports shoes on this warm early summer's day. Real hiking boots are not necessary, as the path is flat and well surfaced. When Jess and Laura reach the crest of the hill, they discover a bench framed by wild herbs and grasses, on which a fat caterpillar has already made itself comfortable in the sun. Well, you“, says Jess with a smile as she and Laura carefully sit down next to the animal islanders and reach for their water bottles. On the water of the lake, a swan glides over the waves. A sea eagle circles in the air. It smells of chamomile flowers, sun and summer.

Hiking vacation on Rügen

Where cat and rooster greet each other

After a few sips, the route continues along the reed-covered bank into the pine forest of the Banzelvitz mountains. From here, it's not long before the friends come across a cluster of thatched cottages. ”Moisselbritz” is written on the sign at the entrance to the village. The path that leads through the village is lined with fragrant country roses, herb gardens and fruit trees whose branches are already bearing small fruits. Swallows chirp, chickens scratch and somewhere a rooster joins in the symphony of sounds with its crow. A small gray cat scurries out from behind a brick wall, in front of which tomato plants sprout in the sun, and accompanies Jess and Laura part of the way, only to stretch out again in the sunny grass.

Shortly after the village, two thatchers dressed in dungarees stand in the sun and go about their daily work: cleaning and bundling dried thatch from Lake Tetzitz. The cheerful, cheerful sound of "Moin“ comes from under the beard of the man in front. His sun hat casts shadows over his face, which is nevertheless well-burnt from all the outdoor work. He cleans the cane bundle in his hands of the undergrowth and other stalks in practiced movements by pulling it through a large comb, then shaking the bundle open and tying it together on the binding stand with a sisal band. The bundles are collected in a large pile to be used on Rügen's roofs at some point, he explains to the women, who look on curiously and listen to him explain the traditional craft.

Two women picnicking on a meadow with a view of the Jasmund Bodden
A thatcher prepares the reeds for drying.

After a brief chat, we continue through a small forest to a hill directly on the Jasmund Bodden, which some locals affectionately refer to as the Rügener Carpathians. The view from up here over the water and the lush green fields is fabulous. The perfect place for a short breather before shouldering the rucksacks again.

The next stage destination is already within reach: the town of Ralswiek, which is best known for its beautiful castle complex and unique natural stage, where the St. Steubek Festival takes place in summer. A true spectacle that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. But now, in the afternoon, the town is peaceful. Colorful sailing and fishing boats dangle in the harbor, sail ropes on the masts rattle in the wind, tiny waves slosh in the blue water and Jess and Laura let their legs dangle from one of the many jetties. The boat ”Elligie“ is just casting off with a gentle whirring of the outboard engine and heading out onto the Bodden.

Tip: A short detour to watch the sunset on the Lietzower Hochufer is worthwhile. The warm light lends a very special magic to the hilly forest and the Great Jasmund Bodden. An absolute insider tip for one of the most beautiful sunsets on the island of Rügen.

Two women walking in front of Ralswieck Castle
Built in 1896, Ralswiek Castle has served as a casino and retirement home over the years. Today there is a hotel behind the old walls.
Two women walk through the Lietzow beech forest. The sunset can be seen through the crowns of the trees.
Wonderfully green: narrow paths lead through the beech forest in front of Lietzow.
Two women walking on the natural beach at Mukran. View from the air with the Baltic Sea in the background.
The destination of the hike has been reached: the natural beach at Mukran stretches for several kilometers along the Baltic coast of Rügen.
Two women look through the display case at a cake buffet at the bakery

Reward for the hike on Rügen:

Poppy seed quark cake on the Baltic Sea beach

The last stage of the hiking trail now lies ahead of the friends. Along the harbor through the Black Mountains, past the hilltop tombs from Slavic times, which, together with the slowly lowering sun and the shadows of the forest, create a mystical atmosphere. The canopy of leaves only clears again in Lietzow. The two run the last few kilometers along the Little Jasmund Bodden to their destination: Mukran on the Baltic Sea. But before Jess and Laura cool their feet in the 18-degree water of the Baltic Sea, they stop off at the Peters confectionery and bakery. The Rügener family business is now in its second generation and is located directly on Mukran harbor. Poppy seed quark cake, Frankfurter Kranz, black forest cherry cake, punch slices and much more can be enjoyed here with a view of the Baltic Sea.

And then the time has finally come: the last few meters, the solid ground turns to sand under your feet and the sound of the sea gets louder and louder. Mermaids screech in the sky, a family collects stones and thunderbolts, which go into a small orange bucket, and an elderly gentleman in a hat stands on the shore, throwing stones over the waves. Jess and Laura have arrived at the natural beach on the Baltic Sea, take off their shoes and socks and close their eyes in delight as they take their first step into the refreshing water. In the distance, you can see the white chalk cliffs of Sassnitz glistening in the sun. Perhaps the destination for the next day.

Rügen Bodden Panorama Trail

Here you can find the GPX track and further information about the tour.

  • © TMV/outdoor-visions.com

    Quality hiking trail Bodden-Panoramaweg

    • Length: 24 km
    • Etappen: 1-2

    The award-winning "Wanderbares Deutschland" quality trail leads through a picturesque landscape along the Great Jasmund Bodden on the Island of Rügen. On 24 kilometers between Neuenkirchen and Mukran in the northeast of the island, hikers experience the varied Bodden landscape without major differences in altitude and, with a little luck, encounter sea eagles or otters, which are native to the area, between quiet meadow landscapes and near-natural forests.

    Read more: "Quality hiking trail Bodden-Panoramaweg"
  • Content is loaded

    244 results

    • © Bartuschka

      BLUE WEDNESDAY at "Clara + Jo": Comedy Quiz with Bartuschka

      • Date: 3/18/26
      • Bahnhofstraße, 18609 Ostseebad Binz

      With her solo programme ‘Berlin Blonde’, the full-blooded comedienne Bartuschka, a trained mime artist with verbal artistry and physical comedy, will be a guest at ‘Blue Wednesday’.

      Read more: "BLUE WEDNESDAY at "Clara + Jo": Comedy Quiz with Bartuschka"
    • © Robert Jentzsch

      Die Herkuleskeule - Generation XY unsolved

      • Next date: 2/15/26
      • All dates: 2/15/26 to 2/16/26
      • Markt, 18581 Putbus

      The new cabaret comedy from the pen of by MICHAEL FROWIN. It will be fresh, cheeky and wicked too. For every generation a huge pleasure!

      Read more: "Die Herkuleskeule - Generation XY unsolved"
    • Genusswerkstatt Binz - restaurant on the 5th floor of the Rugard Thermal Strandhotel, © Hotel Arkona Dr. Hutter eK

      Pleasure workshop Binz

      • Temporarily closed
      • Strandpromenade, 18609 Binz

      Enjoy with sea view on the Island of Rügen. Gourmet chef Robert Schindler inspires in his Genusswerkstatt with an exquisite Nordic-seasonal cuisine on the 5th floor of the Rugard Thermal Strandhotel with a view of the sea and the chalk coast.

      Read more: "Pleasure workshop Binz"
    • © Lüder Lindau

      Across the Border

      • Date: 4/10/26
      • Markt, 18581 Putbus

      Mellow Melange "The Mellow Melange Trio took their audience with a mixture of pop and chamber chamber music, jazz, soul and folk, they literally captivated. "New Acoustic Music" is what the ensemble itself calls the exciting passionate stylistic fusion." (Westfälische Rundschau)

      Read more: "Across the Border"
    • © Binzer Bucht Tourismus

      Sunrise on the treetop walk

      • Date: 2/11/26
      • Forsthaus Prora, 18609 Ostseebad Binz OT Prora

      Guided tour of the treetop walk with a bird's eye view of the sunrise over the Baltic Sea

      Read more: "Sunrise on the treetop walk"
    • © Jugendkunstschule Vorpommern-Rügen e.V.

      ArtArtArtArt

      • Next date: 1/12/26
      • All dates: 9/22/25 to 6/22/26
      • Markt, 18528 Bergen auf Rügen

      Course for children aged 8 and over

      Read more: "ArtArtArtArt"
    • The Seedorf hill country hums and blooms and offers magnificent views., © Kurverwaltung Sellin

      Ranger hike through the Seedorf hills

      • Next date: 5/11/26
      • All dates: 5/6/24 to 10/26/26
      • Parkplatz Ortseingang, 18586 Moritzdorf

      Join the ranger from the Southeast Rügen Biosphere Reserve Office on a guided hike in the Seedorf Hills.

      Read more: "Ranger hike through the Seedorf hills"
    • © Binzer Bucht Tourismus

      Discover the forest and beach with the ranger

      • Next date: 2/4/26
      • All dates: 2/4/26 to 10/21/26
      • Heinrich-Heine-Straße, 18609 Ostseebad Binz

      Children's hike from 6 years. Registration required

      Read more: "Discover the forest and beach with the ranger"
    • NatureWorkshop: Souvenirs made of wood

      • Next date: 2/3/26
      • All dates: 1/6/26 to 2/17/26
      • Forsthaus Prora, 18609 Ostseebad Binz OT Prora

      Take your piece of original path wood home with you. In the workshop, we give you a look behind the scenes. How is the stability of the wood guaranteed on the treetop walk? When and how are individual pieces of wood replaced and, above all, what happens to the remaining wood? We recycle and make beautiful souvenirs with you from our original path wood. Each piece is unique and is then labelled with the treetop walk logo.

      Read more: "NatureWorkshop: Souvenirs made of wood"
    • © Binzer Bucht Tourismus

      Beach walk: relax and discover

      • Next date: 3/3/26
      • All dates: 10/7/25 to 10/27/26
      • Heinrich-Heine-Straße, 18609 Ostseebad Binz

      The guided beach walk along the Baltic Sea combines exercise in nature with valuable information about the coastal landscape. The focus is on stress reduction, breathing and sensory perception.

      Read more: "Beach walk: relax and discover"
    • © Binzer Bucht Tourismus

      Wine Festival Binz

      • Next date: 8/12/26
      • All dates: 8/12/26 to 8/16/26
      • 18609 Ostseebad Binz

      Various vintners from »Wine on Tour« present their current highlights and valuable classics. For seven days you can talk shop, enthuse, drink and enjoy - relaxing to the sunset at the lake Schmachter See.

      Read more: "Wine Festival Binz"
    • © Jason Foley

      BLUE WEDNESDAY at "Clara + Jo": Music with Jason Foley

      • Date: 2/11/26
      • Bahnhofstraße, 18609 Ostseebad Binz

      Jason Foley, a Hamburg-based musician with English roots, is known for his versatility and charismatic voice. A musical cocktail of different genres and eras will be served on ‘Blue Wednesday’.

      Read more: "BLUE WEDNESDAY at "Clara + Jo": Music with Jason Foley"
    • © Binzer Bucht Tourismus

      Binzer Christmas tree bonfire

      • Date: 1/10/26
      • Strandpromenade, 18609 Ostseebad Binz

      The old tradition of burning Christmas trees is celebrated on 10 January on Binz beach. Come along for a chat and live music from the band ‘BluesRausch’. Enjoy the special atmosphere by the sea.

      Read more: "Binzer Christmas tree bonfire"
    • © Binzer Bucht Tourismus

      Bus tour: Stralsund

      • Next date: 1/13/26
      • All dates: 1/6/26 to 2/24/26
      • Dollahner Straße, 18609 Ostseebad Binz

      The bus tour takes you via Putbus and the Alleenstraße to Stralsund with a guided tour of the old town and free time.

      Read more: "Bus tour: Stralsund"
    • © Theater Vorpommern

      Edith

      • Date: 4/25/26
      • Markt, 18581 Putbus

      Boulanger - Nersesov - Bahlk Jacqueline Boulanger, of Afro-French origin, born in Germany, winds her way with amusing, moving anecdotes through the chaotic through the chaotic life and immeasurable legacy of the queen of chanson, whose history and fascinating power cannot fit into one evening. But the singer is a musical liaison with the with the Georgian-born pianist pianist Robert Nersesov and the Rostock double bassist Michael Bahlk from Rostock. The trio breathes new life into the songs of Piaf Piaf's songs with new life.

      Read more: "Edith"
    • Welcome to the Strobel Manor - Experience a country vacation and enjoy wellness, © Gutshaus Strobel

      Strobel Manor

      • Ganschvitz Nr, 18569 Trent

      Experience the Island of Rügen from its quiet side and combine country vacation & wellness. Our manor house offers you vacations in lovingly furnished vacation apartments, family fun at campfires, riding lessons, visits to the petting animals or the weekly beekeeper tour as well as relaxation in the wellness area with steam sauna, massage treatments with Rügen healing chalk, cosmetics and much more.

      Read more: "Strobel Manor"
    • © Die Künstlerin, VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2025

      LISA MARIE STEUDE: Under the Surface

      • Next date: Today
      • All dates: 12/26/25 to 2/28/26
      • Dritte Straße 4, 18609 Prora

      This summer, the sound installation "Under the Surface" by Lisa Marie Steude will complement the exhibitions at the Prora Documentation Center. At the opening on July 4 at 5 p.m., a catalog by the Rügen artist will also be presented, which has been published in the series "East German Signatures" by the East German Savings Bank Foundation and curated by Susanne Burmester.

      Read more: "LISA MARIE STEUDE: Under the Surface"
    • © Gutshaus Krimvitz / Mirko Boy

      Krimvitz manor house

      • Krimvitz, 18581 Putbus

      The manor house was built in the middle of the 19th century and surrounded by a small well-kept park.

      Read more: "Krimvitz manor house"
    • Farmer Long

      • Lieschow Hof Nr., 18569 Ummanz OT Lieschow

      Spend happy and exciting days on Germany's largest island. But not just on Rügen, but on our great farm. Here you will experience everything your heart desires if you dream of a vacation on the farm.

      Read more: "Farmer Long"
    • Hike: Out and about with the dog

      • Next date: 1/17/26
      • All dates: 10/11/25 to 12/26/26
      • Klünderberg, 18609 Ostseebad Binz

      This guided hike of around 4 to 5 kilometres is aimed at guests with dogs. It takes your four-legged friend out into nature - into the Granitz - and is expertly accompanied by the ‘Westphals InselCrew’ dog school.

      Read more: "Hike: Out and about with the dog"
    • © Anton Eitzinger

      BLUE WEDNESDAY at "Clara + Jo": Music with Jakob Muehleisen

      • Date: 2/25/26
      • Bahnhofstraße, 18609 Ostseebad Binz

      Jakob Muehleisen presents his latest album, ‘The Tree’ – a moving journey into mystical worlds between reality and imagination, into carefree realms of fantasy and back to reality with all its pain and beauty.

      Read more: "BLUE WEDNESDAY at "Clara + Jo": Music with Jakob Muehleisen"
    • © Susanne Gmelch

      BLUE WEDNESDAY at "Clara + Jo": Music with Susanne Gmelch

      • Date: 4/22/26
      • Bahnhofstraße, 18609 Ostseebad Binz

      Berlin singer Susanne Gmelch elegantly blends German-language pop and chanson with a touch of jazz and classical elements.

      Read more: "BLUE WEDNESDAY at "Clara + Jo": Music with Susanne Gmelch"
    • © Jochen Falck

      BLUE WEDNESDAY at "Clara + Jo": Comedy with Jochen Falck

      • Date: 4/8/26
      • Bahnhofstraße, 18609 Ostseebad Binz

      Jochen Falck, comedian, is a guest at ‘Blue Wednesday’.

      Read more: "BLUE WEDNESDAY at "Clara + Jo": Comedy with Jochen Falck"
    • © Maren Winter

      Island Ahoy or Let's build a ship

      • Date: 2/22/26
      • Markt, 18581 Putbus

      Puppet theater Schnuppe A children's play for people from 3 years

      Read more: "Island Ahoy or Let's build a ship"
    • © Sonja Gründemann

      Let's get down to brass tacks

      • Date: 3/8/26
      • Markt, 18581 Putbus

      Sonja Gründemann takes us on a journey through the journey through the optimization, everyday life and advertising madness of this time. In her uniquely humorous way, paired with a wink, lots of music and mimicry. An evening that makes you laugh, think and other emotions. Let yourself be surprised.

      Read more: "Let's get down to brass tacks"
    • © Udo Jürgens

      Invisible?

      • Date: 3/25/26
      • Markt, 18581 Putbus

      Einhard Georg Schmidt & Band Yes, of course! But the musical spirit of "udo jürgens music" encourages us to continue continue to sing the songs, to create musical arrangements of different facets and and to keep them alive in our consciousness. in our consciousness.

      Read more: "Invisible?"
    • © Jiyang Chen

      For a cup of tea with Tim

      • Date: 3/17/26
      • Strandpromenade, 18609 Binz

      Artist talk

      Read more: "For a cup of tea with Tim"
    • © TMV/Gohlke

      Pier Binz

      • 18609 Binz

      The Binz pier on the Island of Rügen, with a length of 370 meters, is the second longest pier on Rügen after the Sellin pier.

      Read more: "Pier Binz"
    • © Pavel Putnoki

      Not lying at all is not a solution either

      • Date: 3/29/26
      • Markt, 18581 Putbus

      Heike Feist & Astrid Kohrs Heike Feist and Astrid Kohrs examine with a lot of wit, speed and subtlety the phenomenal cultural achievement of lying and, as adult education teachers transform the audience into a course from which from which all participants will benefit for a long for a long time. (True...apparently!)

      Read more: "Not lying at all is not a solution either"
    • © Daniel Seng

      Chopin Nocturnes

      • Date: 3/28/26
      • Markt, 18581 Putbus

      Daniel Seng On this evening Daniel Seng presents his new CD on which all the nocturnes by Chopin have been recorded. After the 24 Etudes by Chopin to another musical musical treasure and a concert guaranteed to be concert worth listening to.

      Read more: "Chopin Nocturnes"

    Content is loaded

    Content is loaded

    You might also be interested in

    Content is loaded

    back