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

    335 results

    • Concert with Säterblåset St. Marienkirche Bergen/Rügen, © Andreas Stamer

      Concert with Säterblåset from Sweden

      • Date: 4/11/26
      • Billrothstraße, 18528 Bergen auf Rügen

      Säterblåset is a 30-piece wind band from the municipality of Säter in central Sweden. We play music from movies, musicals, pop and rock, as well as original works for wind orchestra. From Abba to The Mandalorian.

      Read more: "Concert with Säterblåset from Sweden"
    • © Uwe Arens

      Blue Wave Academy · Blue Wave Festival · OPEN AIR

      • Date: 6/14/26
      • Strandpromenade 27, 18609 Ostseebad Binz

      It's Bluestime: In the tradition of the multi-award-winning Blue Wave Festival Binz, musicians from the international blues scene will be guests in Binz from 11 to 14 June. There will be plucking, drumming, swinging and singing in many places that will make New Orleans pale with envy.

      Read more: "Blue Wave Academy · Blue Wave Festival · OPEN AIR"
    • © Pixabay

      Soundmeditation

      • Next date: 3/18/26
      • All dates: 1/21/26 to 12/16/26
      • Heinrich-Heine-Straße, 18609 Ostseebad Binz

      Soundmeditation

      Read more: "Soundmeditation"
    • © Island Explosion Events

      Techno & Goa/Psy

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

      Techno Floor An electric steelworks for body and mind. The sound system pushes without consideration, lasers cut diagrammatic lines through the room, fog blurs everything except your own ecstasy. Here, uncompromising dark kicks, hard drums and a beat that replaces the heartbeat reign supreme. Dance as machine energy. No pause, no mercy, pure night-time power. Goa/Psy Floor A psychedelic biotope between light and fantasy. Colorful UV art, flowing mandalas and stage mapping that turns every wall into a breathing being. Psy beats wind like spirals into your thoughts, bass waves carry you deeper into the cosmos. A space in which anything seems possible as long as you keep moving. Black-Butcher Art-Tattoo - Under Your Skin For all those who don't just want to experience the festival, but want to carry it with them forever, Black-Butcher Art-Tattoo will be working live on site. Art directly on the skin, with an uncompromising line, dark character and absolute precision. From small flash designs to striking statements: if you have enough courage, you can make the night a part of your identity. Not just a tattoo. A memory that never fades. This night at the Marstall Putbus is no ordinary event. It is an expedition. A crossing of boundaries. An intense break from everyday life! The question is not whether you will come. The question is whether you are ready to reinvent yourself.

      Read more: "Techno & Goa/Psy"
    • © Pixabay

      Review · Literary encounters in the library

      • Next date: 3/26/26
      • All dates: 1/29/26 to 11/26/26
      • Bahnhofstraße, 18609 Ostseebad Binz

      Readers of the Binz library exchange experiences and ideas in a relaxed atmosphere, discussing books they have read and literary recommendations.

      Read more: "Review · Literary encounters in the library"
    • 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"
    • © Adobe Stock

      Dance into May with live music

      • Date: 4/30/26
      • Stralsunder Chaussee, 18528 Bergen auf Rügen

      Celebrate the traditional dance into May with us and start spring together! A festive atmosphere, a good mood and an evening full of music and dancing await you at the Parkhotel Rügen.

      Read more: "Dance into May with live music"
    • © Adobe Stock

      Mother's Day brunch

      • Date: 5/10/26
      • Stralsunder Chaussee, 18528 Bergen auf Rügen

      Invitation to Mother's Day brunch!

      Read more: "Mother's Day brunch"
    • © Küstenkinder e.V.

      Family flea market

      • Date: 3/15/26
      • Dollahner Straße, 18609 Ostseebad Binz

      Family flea market for children and families

      Read more: "Family flea market"
    • © Binzer Bucht Tourismus

      Blue Wave Festival

      • Next date: 6/11/26
      • All dates: 6/11/26 to 6/14/26
      • Strandpromenade 27, 18609 Ostseebad Binz

      It's Bluestime: In the tradition of the multi-award-winning Blue Wave Festival Binz, musicians from the international blues and swing scene are guests in Binz. In mid-June, there will be plucking, drumming, swinging and singing in many corners and places that will make New Orleans pale with envy. The main street of Binz is the scene of the rousing street parade, which makes you want more. It continues with the "Pink Piano" concerts on the Kurplatz. There, musicians meet as soloists or in bands on three stages - an experience not only for blues connoisseurs. And the legendary club concerts and sessions are on the programme in the late evening hours. (subject to change)

      Read more: "Blue Wave Festival"
    • © 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"
    • © Binzer Bucht Tourismus

      Holy Mass

      • Date: 4/4/26
      • Klünderberg, 18609 Ostseebad Binz

      Holy Mass

      Read more: "Holy Mass"
    • Easter brunch, © Adobe Stock

      Easter brunch on April 05 and 06, 2026

      • Next date: 4/5/26
      • All dates: 4/5/26 to 4/6/26
      • Stralsunder Chaussee, 18528 Bergen auf Rügen

      Celebrate Easter at the Parkhotel Rügen in Bergen auf Rügen!

      Read more: "Easter brunch on April 05 and 06, 2026"
    • © 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"
    • © Uwe Arens

      Blue Wave Sings · Blue Wave Festival · OPEN AIR

      • Next date: 6/12/26
      • All dates: 6/12/26 to 6/13/26
      • Strandpromenade 27, 18609 Ostseebad Binz

      It's Bluestime: In the tradition of the multi-award-winning Blue Wave Festival Binz, musicians from the international blues scene will be guests in Binz from 11 to 14 June. There will be plucking, drumming, swinging and singing in many places that will make New Orleans pale with envy.For the first time this year, it's called ‘Blue Wave Singt’. Look forward to an hour of music together at the Binzer Kurplatz.

      Read more: "Blue Wave Sings · Blue Wave Festival · OPEN AIR"
    • © TMV/Gohlke

      Forest stage Rügen

      • Rugardweg, 18523 Bergen auf Rügen

      OPEN AIR concerts, shows and events. Party hard, dance, sing, enjoy or just let your soul dangle. There is nothing you can not do with us - at the Waldbühne Rügen, probably the most beautiful open-air stage in the north!

      Read more: "Forest stage Rügen"
    • © Binzer Bucht Tourismus

      Happy Sounds at the Heimaat

      • Next date: Tomorrow
      • All dates: Tomorrow to 3/28/26
      • Strandpromenade, 18609 Ostseebad Binz

      Music and good entertainment.

      Read more: "Happy Sounds at the Heimaat"
    • © tal-photography.com

      Hatha-Yoga Level I

      • Next date: 3/18/26
      • All dates: 1/15/26 to 4/30/26
      • Nordstrand, 18609 Ostseebad Binz OT Prora

      This course is aimed at yoga practitioners with previous experience as well as yoga beginners or those returning to yoga.

      Read more: "Hatha-Yoga Level I"
    • © Studio Marco Fischer

      BINZ & FRIENDS: Mighty Oaks

      • Date: 11/21/26
      • Strandpromenade, 18609 Ostseebad Binz

      The exclusive BINZ & FRIENDS event series will once again bring exceptional artists to the Baltic resort of Binz in 2026. As part of their 2026 tour, the band Mighty Oaks will be performing at the Kurhaussaal.

      Read more: "BINZ & FRIENDS: Mighty Oaks"
    • © Binzer Bucht Tourismus | Ch. Thiele

      Beach sauna on Binz beach

      • Next date: Today
      • All dates: 1/20/26 to 4/26/26
      • Strandpromenade, 18609 Ostseebad Binz

      Take a sauna with a sea view, directly on the beach and the refreshingly cold Baltic Sea just a few steps away. Three historic-looking bathing trolleys will be on Binz beach from 25 October. You can sweat in two of them. The third cart serves as a rest area. Appointments are made for three hours - with enough time for several saunas and refreshments.Please bring your own towels and bathrobes.

      Read more: "Beach sauna on Binz beach"
    • © ZOYO - stock.adobe.com

      Ancient forest knowledge

      • Date: 4/22/26
      • Forsthaus Prora, 18609 Ostseebad Binz OT Prora

      Discover the Thiessow peninsula in the Kleiner Jasmunder Bodden, a quiet natural gem with an ancient beech forest and an eventful history, on a nature and sensory tour.>>> An offer of Wanderfrühling Rügen

      Read more: "Ancient forest knowledge"
    • Easter walk on the treetop walk

      • Next date: 4/3/26
      • All dates: 4/3/26 to 4/5/26
      • Forsthaus Prora, 18609 Ostseebad Binz OT Prora

      Multifaceted guided tour on the treetop walk with the theme ‘Easter’. Walk with us along the trail and listen to stories about Easter traditions.

      Read more: "Easter walk on the treetop walk"
    • © nymphe strandhotel & apartments GmbH & Co. KG

      nymph beach hotel & apartments

      • Strandpromenade, 18609 Ostseebad Binz

      Visit the nymphe strandhotel & apartments in the Baltic resort Binz and spend relaxing days with bathing romance and the sound of the sea. On the seemingly endless sandy beach, you can brush off everyday life with a fresh Baltic Sea breeze.

      Read more: "nymph beach hotel & apartments"
    • © Erlebnis-Bauernhof Kliewe/Susanne Kliewe

      Experience farm Kliewe

      • Mursewiek, 18569 Ummanz

      Adventure farm on the Island of Rügen with cozy and comfortable apartments, own farm store and restaurant - located directly on the water. Many animals, horseback riding, a beautiful playground, bike and kettcar rental are guarantees for a great family vacation!

      Read more: "Experience farm Kliewe"
    • © Binzer Bucht Tourismus

      Sunrise on the treetop walk

      • Date: 4/8/26
      • 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"
    • © Karls Markt OHG

      Karl's cabbage dinner

      • Next date: Today
      • All dates: 1/4/26 to 3/26/26
      • Binzer Straße, 18528 Zirkow

      From January 4 to March 2, 2025, we cordially invite you to our Karls cabbage dinner in the Hof-Küche in Zirkow. During this special time, everything revolves around the diversity of cabbage varieties, and we look forward to presenting you with a tasty menu.

      Read more: "Karl's cabbage dinner"
    • © Rugard Strandhotel

      Rugard Strandhotel

      • Strandpromenade, 18609 Binz

      Your first-class private hotel directly on the beach promenade in the Baltic resort of Binz offers the highest comfort, the most pleasant atmosphere and top service.

      Read more: "Rugard Strandhotel"
    • © Binzer Bucht Tourismus

      Moonlight hike

      • Next date: 5/2/26
      • All dates: 5/2/26 to 10/27/26
      • Heinrich-Heine-Straße, 18609 Ostseebad Binz

      Evening hike to the Granitz hunting lodge, including a tour of the lodge and a climb up the tower; please bring torches for the way back; minimum age: 7 years; duration: approx. 4 hours

      Read more: "Moonlight hike"
    • © people-photography · Randy Tarango

      Blue Wave Festival · OPENING · Muddy What?

      • Date: 6/11/26
      • Bahnhofstraße, 18609 Ostseebad Binz

      It's blues time: musicians from the international blues scene will be visiting Binz this year from 6 to 9 June for the multi-award-winning Blue Wave Festival Binz. Plucking, drumming and singing in many places will make New Orleans pale with envy.The opening concert has a very special atmosphere in the railway station concourse of the Kleinbahnhof Binz. To set the mood for the next festival days, »Muddy What?« from Germany will be playing.

      Read more: "Blue Wave Festival · OPENING · Muddy What?"
    • Lookout tower Ernst-Moritz-Arndt, © Tourismuszentrale Rügen

      Rugard with Ernst Moritz Arndt Tower

      • Open today
      • Rugardweg, 18528 Bergen auf Rügen

      The Rugard is located in the heart of Rügen and is now a recreation and adventure park with the lookout point. On the southern slope of the 90-meter-high Rugard, Prince Jaromar I had the construction of a church begun around 1180, the model for which was the Lübeck Cathedral - the Marienkirche zu Bergen.

      Read more: "Rugard with Ernst Moritz Arndt Tower"

    Content is loaded

    Content is loaded

    You might also be interested in

    Content is loaded

    back