Rügen Island
Hiking between chalk cliffs and Baltic Sea waves 🌊🥾☀️
Hiking shows Rügen from perhaps its most beautiful side. Vast views of the Baltic Sea, fine sandy beaches, pristine beech forests, and impressive cliffs accompany you on your journey across Germany's largest island 🌊🥾. Between lively seaside resorts and quiet nature trails, you will discover a landscape shaped by wind and sea that surprises with new impressions every day.
Your hiking trip begins in the Hanseatic city of Stralsund, before heading out to the car-free island of Hiddensee . Here, tranquility, untouched nature, and views of the Baltic Sea set the rhythm of the day 🌾💙. The journey continues to the Wittow peninsula and the famous Cape Arkona, where the cliffs rise impressively from the sea. Lighthouses, old fishing villages, and traces of maritime history give this part of the island its unmistakable character ⚓.
It becomes particularly idyllic in the long dune forest of the Schaabe 🌲. Between the Baltic Sea and the lagoon (Bodden), the trail leads through a peaceful coastal landscape before reaching one of the major highlights of the trip: the Jasmund National Park . The white chalk cliffs, together with the deep blue of the Baltic Sea and the ancient beech forests, create a spectacular natural backdrop 🤍🌊. Parts of these ancient forests are now even a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
As you continue your journey, you will also get to know the elegant side of Rügen in Sassnitz und Binz . Magnificent resort architecture, long piers, and lively promenades invite you to stroll and enjoy after a day of hiking ☀️🏘️. Around the Granitz and in the south of the island, quiet forest paths, small bays, and charming villages await. For a dose of nostalgia, take a ride on the famous " Rasenden Roland " (Racing Roland) 🚂, whose historic steam locomotive chugs leisurely through the Rügen countryside.
The daily stages of between 18 and 26 kilometers run mostly through flat to gently rolling terrain, leading along forest paths, coastal trails, and beach sections 👣. Technically, the hike is not very demanding, but the longer daily distances require some endurance. The Baltic Sea remains your constant companion, and a fresh sea breeze always provides a true coastal feeling 🌬️.
A hiking trip on Rügen combines pristine nature, maritime history, and the special atmosphere of the Baltic Sea. Chalk cliffs, beech forests, wide beaches, and traditional seaside resorts make every day different and leave plenty of room to breathe and enjoy. A journey full of vastness, fresh sea air, and unforgettable coastal moments 💙✨.
Day 1
Arrival to Stralsund
Individual arrival. Stralsund invites you to take a stroll through the old town.
Hotel (example): Hotel am Jungfernstieg
Day 2
Stralsund – Wittow
In the morning, the ferry (included, approx. 2-hour ride) takes you straight to the island of Hiddensee. You will explore this small, "car-free" island on foot. Your path leads through heathlands from Neuendorf via Vitte to Kloster. In the afternoon, the ferry (included, approx. 1-hour ride) takes you on a peaceful scenic route to the Rügen peninsula of Wittow.
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Day 3
Circular Hike Cape Arkona
Along the cliffs, the trail leads to the northern cape of the island. Parts of the path take you delightfully along the beach or the high shoreline. From the Jaromarsburg, a still-preserved earthen rampart, you can see far out across the Baltic Sea.
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Day 4
Wittow - Sassnitz
In the morning, the trail leads either along the lagoon (Bodden) or along the beach of the Schaabe to Glowe. Cafés and restaurants invite you to stop for a bite to eat. From Glowe, you shorten the stage by taking the public bus (on your own account) to the Hagen parking lot, not far from the Königsstuhl. The hike then takes you along the delightful chalk coast through the Jasmund National Park to Sassnitz.
Hotel (example): Rügen-Hotel
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Day 5
Sassnitz - Binz/Sellin
After breakfast, a resort boat (Bäderschiff, independently/at your own expense) takes you to Binz. In Binz, the beach promenade invites you to take a stroll. Numerous cafés, restaurants, and shops welcome you for a visit. From the tower of the Granitz Hunting Lodge, you will be rewarded with a breathtaking panoramic view.
Hotel (example): Park Hotel Sellin
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Day 6
Circular Hike Göhren
You hike across the Granitz to Sellin. Along the high shoreline to the beach towards Baabe and through the Baabe Heath to Göhren. As far as your feet can carry you, the hike can extend all the way to the south of the Mönchgut peninsula. The "Rasender Roland" (Racing Roland steam train, independently/at your own expense) takes you back from Göhren to Sellin or Binz.
Hotel (example): Park Hotel Sellin
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Day 7
Binz/Sellin - Stralsund
Hiking across the Granitz once more, you travel today along the Bay of Greifswald (Greifswalder Bodden) to Putbus. On this route, you can also opt to take the "Rasender Roland" (independently/at your own expense) to shorten the way. Delightful hiking trails lead directly along the shores of the lagoon for large parts of the journey. Train ride from Putbus to Stralsund (included).
Hotel (example): Hotel am Jungfernstieg
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Day 8
Departure or extension
Requirements for hikers
The hikes on Rügen are classified as easy. You will hike alternately on small side streets as well as on paved or unpaved (sanded) forest and field paths. The landscape is predominantly flat to gently rolling, so no major technical difficulties are to be expected. However, for the longer daily stages, you should have a good level of basic fitness. Sturdy and comfortable hiking footwear is recommended.
Summary
- Total approx. 130 km over 6 hiking days
- 7 nights
- Breakfast
- Luggage transfer
- Boat trip Stralsund - Hiddensee
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Boat trip Hiddensee - Rügen
(not on Sunday) - Transfer Putbus - Stralsund
- Travel documents
- Service hotline
- from 879,- € per person
- Transfers not included (approx. €28 per person)
Facts about Rügen
- Rügen is Germany's largest island, covering an area of around 976 square kilometers
- The island is located in the Baltic Sea off the coast of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
- The coastline is around 574 kilometers long and is shaped by beaches, lagoons (Bodden), peninsulas, and cliffs
- No place on Rügen is further than about 7 kilometers from the water
- The highest point on the island is the Piekberg at 161 meters
- Among the most famous landmarks are the chalk cliffs in the Jasmund National Park
- The famous Ancient Beech Forests in the Jasmund National Park are a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site
- Rügen features around 56 kilometers of sandy beaches and about 85 kilometers of cliffs
- With around 1,800 to 2,000 hours of sunshine per year, the region is one of the sunniest areas in Germany
Climate on Rügen
Culinary Delights on Rügen
The cuisine of Rügen is traditionally shaped by the Baltic Sea and fishing. Freshly caught and smoked fish, as well as the classic fish bun (Fischbrötchen), are exceptionally popular. Depending on the season, herring, garfish (Hornfisch), pike, and zander are served. Another typical specialty of the island is sea buckthorn (Sanddorn), which is processed into juices, jams, liqueurs, and numerous other products. Game, regional meat and sausage specialties, rapeseed oil, honey, as well as dairy and cheese products are also part of the island's culinary identity. Many farm shops, local manufacturers, and restaurants now consciously focus on products produced directly on Rügen.