If “huge, international city” like Berlin isn’t on the top of your list for your next visit to Germany, but “visit a German forest” is, this is for you. Sure, visiting Berlin (again) can be fun and flashy, especially if techno clubs, federal buildings and The Wall are your scene, but if you want to absorb some nature, be able to hear yourself think, and deeply relax while you’re traveling, a visit to a German forest might be just the thing.

Here are five activities you could do in a German forest, although there are more activities you could do, of course. And sprinkled in along the way are a few places you could do them. You’ll also find out how to take a free lesson on the forest in Germany right here and if you want, you could do it today. Also, los geht’s!

1. spazieren = to walk

There are loads of paths around small towns, through smaller forests, and in green areas of cities you can simply walk through. You don’t need much other than sturdy walking shoes and perhaps a bottle of water, and you’re good to go.

One place you could do this is the Taunus, a low mountain range in Hessen. The Taunusklub has a list of 10 especially beautiful walking paths which don’t require as much effort as hiking paths do.

2. wandern = to hike

Hiking requires a bit more effort, and often requires a bit of planning and acquiring information ahead of time, especially if you need to book a stay along your route.

If a semi-forested pilgrimage is your thing, then perhaps you’d like to consider the Hildegard of Bingen Pilgrimage Trail? It’s 137 kilometers long and has 10 stages, along with information boards so you can learn as you go.

You can also find out more about Hildegard von Bingen in this post on 5 Things German Learners Should Know about Hildegard von Bingen and in this post on Danae Ashley and her new book "My Sap is Rising."

If you’d prefer a more serious hike, you need to plan ahead and get information before you hike. One of my clients went hiking around Innsbruck and sent me a photo—with a sheer cliff-face up on one side of the path, and a sheer cliff-face down on the other side. The path was wide enough for one person to walk. Contact the tourist office and the local hiking club for more information before you go, as those hikers can give you tips on equipment you’ll want or need to take with you. As always, use common sense, and tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to be back.

3. Fahrrad fahren

One of the things I liked best about living in Lippstadt was the easy access to bike paths and so many of the bike paths around Lippstadt went through forested areas. The first beer garden I went to there was in the middle of the woods and it was perfection—people relaxing outside, having biked and gotten energized by the fresh air, enjoying being outside with others.

Whether you buy, borrow, or rent a bike, make sure it’s roadworthy by following this list from the ADAC (the Automobile Club of Germany; link below; I translated this list and it’s only a general translation, so be sure to get the specific info from the ADAC site):

• a bright-sounding bell
• two, independent brakes
• two non-slip and securely fastened pedals
• a white headlight and reflector on the front
• a red backlight/brakelight and reflector on the back
• reflective stripes on the bike or two spoke reflectors
• and, of course, a helmet.

Here’s the link to the complete list from the ADAC.

4. reiten = to ride horse

Riding horse was a common activity I saw in many smaller cities and town I visited in Germany, no matter which part of the country I was in. This sport is especially popular with teen girls and those riders seem to exude a confidence I wish I had had at that age!

To find a place to ride, simply search for “reiten” along with the place you’ll be, and then use your best common sense. Perhaps you’d like to ask at the nearest tourism office for a recommendation.

5. sich entspannen = to relax

In German, fascinatingly, you “relax yourself,” as this is a reflexive verb. You do the action and you receive the action of the verb as well. A good example of this in English is “to enjoy yourself,” or “to perjure yourself.” (But purjuring yourself sounds stressful, so let’s go back to German.)

Imagine you approach a clearing in a German forest, your feet secure in your hiking shoes, your daypack light on your shoulders, a mild breeze blowing past, and the trees stretching their slender, green-leafed arms up around you. You breathe in, the scent of the leaves and plants tickling your nose, and for the first time in a while, your shoulders feel wide and loose. “How do I say that in German, again?” you ask yourself. “Oh yeah: Ich entspanne mich.” I relax.

Here’s how you can relax with this free, 30-minute lesson on Der Wald in Deutschland (The Forest in Germany): https://germanwithnicole.com/forest . When you sign up for the lesson, you’ll receive:

• the full vocabulary list and the text of the lesson (in a PDF) emailed directly to you,
• full access to the course for as long as it exists,
• and the possibility to write a comment and/or ask Frau Warner questions, which she will answer personally. (The comments are reviewed before publishing, so it’s very calm and peaceful commenting.)

Here’s the link again: https://germanwithnicole.com/forest . Viel Spaß beim Lernen!