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 by well-marked walking paths that are perfect for a spontaneous weekend outing or a leisurely afternoon break.
Wall
The Göttinger Stadtwall is a former fortification of the city of Göttingen, Germany. At first only a small part of the city center was surrounded by walls – you can still see some parts of the inner zone at the Mauerstraße (‘wall street’). In 1326 the city was allowed to build the today still visible Stadtwall and building it needed 200 years. [more]
- Length: 3,25 km
- Highlights: Auditorium, Botanischer Garten, Deutsches Theater, St. Albani, Odilienmühle, Bismarckhäuschen, Hirtenbrunnen
- Access: everywhere around the city center; from the railway station, Groner Tor, Weender Tor, Geismar Tor, Theaterplatz.
- Komoot: Wallanlagen
Kiessee
Once it was a gravel pit, now it is one of the most important recreational areas of Göttingen, Germany. The 15 hectares big lake in the southwest at the border to Rosdorf is a good choice if you want to walk a nice round on a sunday afternoon. But you can also have a picnic there, take your kids to a playground or do water sports. [more]
- Length: 2,7 km
- Highlights: Kiessee, extention to Flütewehr and Leineauen recommended.
- Access: bus stop Sandweg, lines 61 & 62.
- Komoot: Kiessee (extended round)
Wildgehege Kehr
It is one of the things people from Göttingen love to do on weekends: have a walk at the Kehr within the woods belonging to the city. There you will find deer and wild boars in two separate areas, you can buy some animal feed and take a round course which is approximately three kilometers long. Also a nice walk with children. [more]
- Length: 2,59 km
- Highlights: Wildgehege Kehr, extension to Kerstlingeröder Feld possible.
- Access: bus stop Grete-Henry-Straße, lines 71, 72 & 73. In high season a minibus takes you from there up the rest of the hill.
- Komoot: Wildgehege am Kehr
Planetenweg
The Planetenweg in Göttingen is a fascinating blend of science, art, and landscape – a miniature model of our solar system mapped onto the real world. Stretching roughly 2.5 kilometres through the city centre to the outskirts, it’s built to a scale of one to two billion. That means every metre you walk represents about two million kilometres in space. The trail starts near the Göttingen railway station, where the Sun is depicted. From there, you can follow the path through the city up the hill, tracing the order of the planets as you move farther from the railway station. [more]
- Length: 2.48 km
- Highlights: Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
- Access: bus stop Hainbundstraße, accessible by bus line 50 from the railway station of Göttingen.
- Komoot: Planetenweg
Around the city
West of the city you’ll find nice opportunities for a walk close to Dransfeld, but especially a bit further on at the Reinhardswald. In the East, the Eichsfeld and Gleichen are calling – don’t miss the nice lakes not to far away from Göttingen.
Hoher Hagen
Between Göttingen and Hann. Münden on the grounds of the small city Dransfeld, Germany you can find the mountain Hoher Hagen. It is one of the most northern former volcanoes in Germany. In the past people came here for a coffee or a lunch in the restaurant at the now closed Gaußturm. But it is still worth a trip: you can walk through an old basalt quarry, enjoy good views or ride your sledge in winter times. [more]
- Length: 5 km
- Highlights: Hoher Hagen, Gaußturm
- Access: No direct access by bus; closest stop is Dransfeld-Teichstraße (bus 120 from Göttingen), 6 km afar. Best travel up by car.
- Komoot: Basaltsteinbruch
Sababurg: Tierpark
The Tierpark Sababurg in Hofgeismar, Germany is a wonderful place for families. Entering the grounds is quite cheap (about 8 euros) and the season ticket is worth a look if you’re around often. You will find playgrounds and restaurants, animals you can get in contact with, a small railway and even it is only for a long walk around – this place is absolutely great. [more]
- Length: 5/6 km
- Highlights: Tierpark Sababurg, Sababurg
- Access: regional train from Göttingen to Bodenfelde, bus 192 from there to Hofgeismar Tierpark.
- Komoot: Elch-Lodge, Wölfe
Sababurg: Urwald
Welcome to the jungle! Not too far away from the entrance of the Tierpark Sababurg in Hofgeismar, Germany you will find a bus stop named ‘Urwald‘ and a parking lot. From here you can explore the Urwald Sababurg, a forest with trees nearly untouched for hundreds of years. [more]
- Length: 2.84 km
- Highlights: Urwald Sababurg
- Access: regional train from Göttingen to Bodenfelde, bus 192 from there to Hofgeismar Urwald.
- Komoot: Bohlenweg im Urwald
Seeburger See
It is called the Eye of the Eichsfeld (the region it is located in) – the lake Seeburger See named after the city Seeburg next to it. You can use this natural lake for boating and swimming but it is rather flat with a maximum depth of 3.5 meters. Better test upfront how deep it is before you jump into the water. The Seeburger See is a famous tourist destination and you will find good infrastructure at its shore. [more]
- Length: 5.29 km
- Highlights: Seeburger See
- Access: bus 160 to Ebergötzen, from there with bus 172 to Seeburg.
- Komoot: Seeburger-See-Runde
Wendebachstausee
The Wendebachstausee is a lake in the south of Göttingen, Germany belonging to a region called Gleichen. The small river Wendebach was dammed here for flood protection in 1973. Today it is a lake used for swimming and you can also walk around easily. [more]
- Length: 2.55 km
- Highlights: Wendebachstausee
- Access: No direct connection, bus 140 brings you to Niedernjesa-Schmiedeberg which is 1.3 km afar.
- Komoot: Wendebachstausee-Runde