There’s truly no better way to get to know Göttingen and its surroundings than on foot or by bike. The city, with its charming old town, offers plenty of inviting routes for leisurely walks as well as more demanding hikes. Trails lead out of the centre towards gentle hills, forests, and scenic viewpoints. Along the way, one encounters centuries of history nestled beside tranquil nature – an experience that simply can’t be matched from behind a car window.
The region of Südniedersachsen opens up even more opportunities for active exploration. From relaxed cycling tours through the Leine-Heide-Radweg to cross-border routes connecting Thüringen, Hessen, every path reveals something new – picturesque half-timbered towns, river valleys, or castle ruins hidden among wooded ridges. This page is designed to help you discover the best routes and destinations, whether you prefer a quiet rural path or a challenging day’s ride. Lace up your boots or hop on your bike and start your journey through a wonderful landscape!
Hiking
Hiking in and around Göttingen offers some delightful opportunities, though the region is far from being a hiker’s paradise. Much of Südniedersachsen boasts gentle hills, quiet forests, and picturesque farmland, perfect for relaxed day walks rather than challenging treks. However, the area suffers from a noticeable lack of well-marked, official hiking routes. Lower Saxony’s investment in developing and maintaining long-distance trails has been rather limited, leaving many scenic corners underpromoted and poorly signposted. As a result, exploring smaller local paths often requires a good map or GPS rather than relying on trail infrastructure. [more]
Cycling
Cycling around Göttingen and across southern Lower Saxony offers remarkable scenery, yet the available network of official, well-maintained routes leaves quite a bit to be desired. The region has no shortage of potential – with its rolling hills, river valleys, and quiet rural lanes – but the infrastructure simply hasn’t kept pace. Investment from the state remains modest, meaning that many promising paths are either poorly surfaced or only informally signposted. For cyclists who enjoy exploring, this creates both a sense of freedom and the occasional frustration of having to improvise directions. [more]
Walking
Many Germans share a deep affection for the simple pleasure of a Spaziergang, that unhurried walk that clears the mind and offers a quiet connection with nature or the rhythm of everyday life. In Göttingen, there are countless inviting routes for such strolls – from the leafy paths around the old Botanic Garden and the peaceful stretch along the Leinekanal to the gentle trails leading up to the Kehr or through the tranquil forest near the Bismarckturm. Beyond the city, the surrounding countryside provides even more variety, with rolling fields, wooded hills, and charming villages linked walking paths that are perfect for a spontaneous weekend outing or a leisurely afternoon break. [more]
Bonus: on the water
Travelling on a river by canoe is great fun. But it needs a lot of preparation: you need a boat, suitable equipment, a good point to start and most of all: someone who picks you up at your destination. Canoeing on the Diemel river is in contrast easy and well organized. You’ll get a canoe, a waterproof barrel, life jackets, paddles, and the phone number of someone to pick you up later. [more]
