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

    249 results

    • © KI-generiert

      Themed week ‘Love comes in waves’: Jewellery workshop and workshop

      • Date: 2/11/26
      • Heinrich-Heine-Straße, 18609 Ostseebad Binz

      ‘(My) lifeline’ is the motto of the jewellery workshop with a workshop on the theme of love.

      Read more: "Themed week ‘Love comes in waves’: Jewellery workshop and workshop"
    • © Gaby Gerster

      BINZ & FRIENDS: Annett Louisan

      • Date: 4/18/26
      • Strandpromenade, 18609 Ostseebad Binz

      BINZ & FRIENDS, an exclusive series of events in 2025, presents grandiose stars in the Baltic seaside resort of Binz. Annett Louisan, the voice of German-language chanson, is a guest with her anniversary concert ‘20 Years of Bohème’.

      Read more: "BINZ & FRIENDS: Annett Louisan"
    • © Axel Adams

      BLUE WEDNESDAY at "Clara + Jo": Magic show with Allison Wonder

      • Date: 1/14/26
      • Bahnhofstraße, 18609 Ostseebad Binz

      Allison Wonder presents her magic show ‘Magie ungesüßt’ (Unadulterated Magic) at the Binzer Kleinbahnhof. Her performance promises an evening full of surprising moments – with magic that not only entertains but also touches the heart.

      Read more: "BLUE WEDNESDAY at "Clara + Jo": Magic show with Allison Wonder"
    • Wasser & Dampf - Baltic Sea Boat Tour and Steam Train Trip

      • Next date: Today
      • All dates: 6/25/25 to 3/28/26
      • Seebrücke Binz, 18609 Ostseebad Binz

      With this combination ticket you can combine two experiences in one day: Rügen from the Baltic Sea by boat and historic steam train flair on the narrow gauge-railway "Rasender Roland".

      Read more: "Wasser & Dampf - Baltic Sea Boat Tour and Steam Train Trip"
    • St. Catherine's Church in Trent on the island of Rügen, © Tourismuszentrale Rügen

      St.Catherine Church Trent

      • Freely accessible at any time
      • Dorfstraße, 18569 Trent

      St. Catherine's Church in Trent is a church building of the 14th century and because of its location it is also called the "wayside church".

      Read more: "St.Catherine Church Trent"
    • © 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"
    • © Binzer Bucht Tourismus/Christian Thiele

      Church service

      • Next date: Tomorrow
      • All dates: 9/1/24 to 12/27/26
      • Dollahner Straße, 18609 Ostseebad Binz

      Participation only after prior registration

      Read more: "Church service"
    • © 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"
    • © Binzer Bucht Tourismus

      Binz Easter Fire Mile

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

      Fiery start to spring at the Baltic SeaLeaving winter behind, feeling the anticipation of the approaching spring and enjoying time together by the sea. After a two-year break, the traditional Binz Easter bonfire mile will take place on the beach on Easter Saturday. Hoteliers, restaurateurs and associations of the region take over the sponsorship of the fireplaces where locals and guests can laugh, chat and dream of summer together over mulled wine and stick bread.

      Read more: "Binz Easter Fire Mile"
    • © Silke Winkler

      Rup un Rünner

      • Date: 3/7/26
      • Markt, 18581 Putbus

      Fritz Reuter Stage Comedy by Peter Quilter. Low German by Tina Landgraf.

      Read more: "Rup un Rünner"
    • © 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"
    • © Binzer Bucht Tourismus

      Family tour: Nature magic

      • Date: 2/10/26
      • Forsthaus Prora, 18609 Ostseebad Binz OT Prora

      Exciting voyage of discovery on the treetop walk for young and old with amazing natural phenomena, little experiments from the magic suitcase and more.

      Read more: "Family tour: Nature magic"
    • © Binzer Bucht Tourismus

      »Spring of life« - Easter water collection

      • Date: 4/6/26
      • Seebrücke Binz, 18609 Ostseebad Binz

      Mindful Ritual for Easter

      Read more: "»Spring of life« - Easter water collection"
    • Pier Festival »Brass in Binz«

      • Next date: 8/28/26
      • All dates: 8/29/25 to 8/30/26
      • Seebrücke Binz, 18609 Ostseebad Binz

      Pier Festival »Brass in Binz«

      Read more: "Pier Festival »Brass in Binz«"
    • © Stadtmuseum Bergen auf Rügen

      Depot exhibition "War and Remembrance"

      • Next date: 1/19/26
      • All dates: 11/3/25 to 4/30/26
      • Billrothstraße, 18528 Bergen auf Rügen

      A brief overview of armed conflicts on and off the Island of Rügen on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

      Read more: "Depot exhibition "War and Remembrance""
    • © Karls Markt OHG

      Karl's winter adventure

      • Next date: Today
      • All dates: 11/21/25 to 3/1/26
      • Binzer Straße, 18528 Zirkow

      In Karlchen's Winter Wonderland, you can experience a varied winter time in the countryside with fire bowls, baking bread on a stick and extensive winter shopping from January 8 to February 25 in Karl's Adventure Village Zirkow.

      Read more: "Karl's winter adventure"
    • © Viktoria Micheel

      BLUE WEDNESDAY at "Clara + Jo": Music with Tom Klose

      • Date: 3/11/26
      • Bahnhofstraße, 18609 Ostseebad Binz

      Tom Klose is a man of contrasts: always accompanied by his faithful guitar, he sings sometimes with a delicate, fragile head voice, sometimes with a hard, powerful chest voice.

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

      Hike: The healing power of the coastal forest

      • Next date: 1/12/26
      • All dates: 9/8/25 to 12/28/26
      • Heinrich-Heine-Straße, 18609 Ostseebad Binz

      Let's go for a short walk in the forest area of Granitz near Binz to discover the forest with all senses as a place for more awareness, mindfulness and relaxation. The mindful excursion is about 3 kilometres long.

      Read more: "Hike: The healing power of the coastal forest"
    • Jugendherberge Prora mit Zeltplatz

      • Nordstrand, 18609 Ostseebad Binz OT Prora

      Youth Hostel at Prora with Campsite. The longest youth hostel in the world is right on the Baltic Sea beach on the Island of Rügen. A great location - the campsite is also a cheap place to stay. In total, there are 400 beds in 96 rooms spread across four floors, most with shower/WC, 16 are wheelchair accessible.

      Read more: "Jugendherberge Prora mit Zeltplatz"
    • Mozart!

      • Date: 3/15/26
      • Markt, 18581 Putbus

      Chamber music

      Read more: "Mozart!"
    • Centrally located on the Island of Rügen near the Baltic resorts: the Hof-Viervitz, © Hof-Viervitz/Hermann

      Hof-Viervitz

      • Viervitz, 18528 Zirkow

      The sporting activity in the fresh air, the dialogue with the partner horse and the intensive experience of nature make equestrian sport a source of energy for body and mind. I would like to help you become more confident. The goal is harmonious and fear-free riding. Yours Martina Hermann

      Read more: "Hof-Viervitz"
    • BLUE WEDNESDAY at "Clara + Jo": Music with Gabriel Zanetti

      • Date: 3/4/26
      • Bahnhofstraße, 18609 Ostseebad Binz

      Gabriel Zanetti is a guest at ‘Blauer Mittwoch’ (Blue Wednesday), a singer-songwriter from Osnabrück who, with his charming, natural manner, creates a space where you can dream, question, feel yourself and be vulnerable.

      Read more: "BLUE WEDNESDAY at "Clara + Jo": Music with Gabriel Zanetti"
    • © Karls Markt OHG

      Christmas tree throwing championship

      • Date: Tomorrow
      • Binzer Straße, 18528 Zirkow

      Great family event, great prizes, come to Karls!

      Read more: "Christmas tree throwing championship"
    • © Jugendkunstschule Vorpommern-Rügen e.V.

      ArtArtArtArt

      • Next date: 1/12/26
      • All dates: 9/22/25 to 7/6/26
      • Markt, 18528 Bergen auf Rügen

      Course for children aged 13 and over

      Read more: "ArtArtArtArt"
    • SEASON OPEN AIR BINZ: Joy Denalane

      • Next date: 7/4/26
      • All dates: 7/4/26 to 8/22/26
      • Strandpromenade 27, 18609 Ostseebad Binz

      SEASON OPEN AIR BINZ: Joy Denalane

      Read more: "SEASON OPEN AIR BINZ: Joy Denalane"
    • © Binzer Bucht Tourismus

      Holy Mass

      • Next date: Tomorrow
      • All dates: 9/1/24 to 12/27/26
      • Klünderberg, 18609 Ostseebad Binz

      Holy Mass

      Read more: "Holy Mass"
    • Natural Heritage Centre Rügen (Naturerbe Zentrum Rügen)

      • Forsthaus Prora, 18609 Ostseebad Binz OT Prora

      The Natural Heritage Centre Rügen with treetop path and experience exhibition is open 364 days a year so that you can experience and get to know nature all year round.

      Read more: "Natural Heritage Centre Rügen (Naturerbe Zentrum Rügen)"
    • © Erlebnis Akademie AG/NEZR

      DIY: Jewellery from ghost nets

      • Next date: 2/5/26
      • All dates: 2/5/26 to 2/19/26
      • Forsthaus Prora, 18609 Ostseebad Binz OT Prora

      Heavy in the sea - light on the arm. Drifting fishing nets pose a major threat to our environment. In our nature workshop, we get to the bottom of the origins of these nets, show the consequences and possible solutions and transform them into something decorative.

      Read more: "DIY: Jewellery from ghost nets"
    • © Binzer Bucht Tourismus

      Beyond the horizon - discoveries on the treetop walk

      • Next date: Today
      • All dates: 11/1/25 to 2/28/26
      • Forsthaus Prora, 18609 Ostseebad Binz OT Prora

      With a nature and landscape guide over the treetop walk at eye level with primeval copper beeches as well as woodpeckers and white-tailed eagles. Wide view from the observation tower over the DBU natural heritage area.

      Read more: "Beyond the horizon - discoveries on the treetop walk"
    • © Erlebnis Akademie AG/NEZR

      DIY: Create your own bird feeder cones

      • Next date: 2/6/26
      • All dates: 2/6/26 to 2/20/26
      • Forsthaus Prora, 18609 Ostseebad Binz OT Prora

      DIY: Create your own bird feeder cones

      Read more: "DIY: Create your own bird feeder cones"

    Content is loaded

    Content is loaded

    You might also be interested in

    Content is loaded

    back