Five days of hiking; five days to let your mind wander, five days to take things a little slower. The North-Baltic Sea Hiking Trail gives you this opportunity, as you hike from Meldorf on the North Sea, through the Geest and then through the Eastern Hills to the gates of Kiel on the Baltic Sea. It’s beautifully flat, with wide views and lots of fresh air. The route also includes sections along the Kiel Canal, where you can watch immense ships transporting cargo en route to distant destinations. It’s a route worth taking your time over to enjoy the unique landscape, the pretty towns and the friendly people.

In this Collection, the North-Baltic Sea Hiking Trail is split into five stages. At 19 to 28 kilometres (12 to 17 mi), the days can be quite challenging, though the going is relatively flat throughout. If you’re unsure about the distance, there’s always the option of shortening the stages by taking public buses back or to the start of the next stage. Keep an eye on the timetables, as some buses only run on weekdays or have to be pre-booked by phone. More information and detailed timetables are available here: nah.sh/en

There’s accommodation in the towns along the route and in neighbouring villages. It’s best to book in advance, as sometimes the options are limited and may already be fully booked by the time you reach them.

As a vital artery in the transport system, the Kiel Canal often has work being done on it. It’s therefore best to find out in advance whether your section of the trail is passable. All current closures can be found (in German) here: wsa-nord-ostsee-kanal.wsv.de/Webs/WSA/WSA-Nord-Ostsee-Kanal/DE/0_Startpage/Aktuelle_Meldungen/Sperrungen_Betriebsweg_NOK_20230119.html

If part of the route is out of bounds, take the opportunity to discover one of the beautiful alternative routes inland. Alternatively, take one of the canal’s 14 ferries to the other side to avoid the obstruction.

So, leave the pressures of everyday life behind you for a few days. The route between the two seas is always a pleasure. I wish you lots of fun on the North-Baltic Sea Hiking Trail.