Page 538 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Germany

536  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS OUTDOOR A C TIVITIES  537
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES AND or the protected coastal

SPECIALIST HOLIDAYS regions. The Verband
Deutscher Sporttaucher
(VDST) (German Divers’
Association) can provide up-
Germany is home to some of the most active including sailing, water-skiing and diving. to-date advice.
holiday-makers in the world, so it is certainly Numerous other, slightly less adventurous Canoe trips can be taken on
fitting that there is an abundance of leisure activities such as golf, tennis, biking and spas many of the country’s rivers –
from calm and picturesque
activities available throughout the country. are available and all are thoroughly orga nized stretches of water and the
Outdoor pursuits of every kind are readily and regulated. Any regional tourist office can canals of the Spreewald
accessible, from mountain sports, such as provide you with detailed information and (see p145), to exhilarating
climbing, skiing and hiking, to water sports, advice about planning your outdoor activities. adventures in rapidly flowing
Alpine streams that demand Canoeing on a stretch of the River Main in Miltenberg
professional skill.
popular, especially at lakes Skiing and National Parks
Mountain Sports
equipped with static towing Germany has a richly varied
lines, where, upon payment The most renowned centre landscape, from mountains to
of an hourly fee, you can take for skiing is still Garmish- coasts, and has many nature
as many trips skiing around Partenkirchen (see p284). reserves, biosphere reserves
the lake as you want. The Other regions such as the Black and national parks. From the
Deutscher Wasserski- und Forest (see pp330–31) and the swamp-like Spreewald (see
Wakeboard Verband Erzgebirge (see p170) also offer p145) to the lush forests and
can provide detailed advice skiing. Some of the larger cities mountain peaks of the
on locations and prices. have indoor skiing halls, though Bavarian Forest (see p275), each
There are excellent sailing they are a poor substitute for park has its own spectacular
opportunities in the lakeland the Alps (see pp208–9). Cross- natural characteristics and
areas of Mecklenburg (see country skiing is also popular, offers a range of different
pp472–3), the coastal regions and there are many well- visitor services and facilities.
and on Lake Constance (see prepared routes. Information All parks have signposted
Walking in the Trettachtal valley in the Bavarian Alps pp324–5). As is the case in can be obtained from local trails and most have special
most countries, you must Golfing on the Schloßhotel course in tourist information offices or maps for walking, biking or
General Sporting the Deutscher Wander verband. demonstrate sailing knowledge Kronberg, Hesse contact the Haus des Ski, jogging tours. These are also
Information
The DAV Summit Club is also a before being allowed to hire a Deutscher Skiverband DSV excellent locations for observing
The German Olympic Sports very useful source of information. full-sized boat or small (German Ski Association). and enjoying the flora and
Confederation (DOSB) catamaran by showing a valid Golf and Tennis The Alps are the centre of fauna of Germany’s various
can provide a great deal of sailing licence. To find out Over the last decade or so, golf German climbing. Here you regions. Many parks have
general information about sport Cycling more about sailing locations, has become hugely popular in can find sport climbers mixing notices posted to inform
in Germany. Cycling is a great way of enjoying boat hire and regulations, Germany and the number of with Alpinists. The Allgäu visitors about the animals and
the German country side. In most contact the Deutscher courses has increased. Golf is region is probably the most plants indigenous to the area.
towns and tourist areas, bicycles Segler-Verband. There usually played at a club, well-known place for climbers To find out more about the
Walking and Hiking
can be hired for just a few days are also plenty of opportunities however. You usually need to but challenges can also be various locations and holidays
Walking trails are everywhere or for a week or more. A bike can for scuba diving. These are prove a certain level of golfing found in the Ries basin. The available in Germany’s
in Germany, from the most easily be transported on trains mostly centred on the lakes proficiency before you are Verband Deutscher Berg- und national parks and nature
demand ing of Alpine trails to and on the urban U-Bahn or allowed onto the course. This Skiführer (VDBS) (Association reserves contact the Verband
gentler excursions in the S-Bahn trains for a minimal fee. can be achieved by showing a of German Mountain and Ski Deutscher Naturparke or
Erzgebirge of Saxony (see You will find that most towns membership card from a Guides) can help you with Europarc Deutschland.
p170) and over the hills and and cities are bike-friendly with course or club back home. hiring a guide.
mountains of the picturesque cycle lanes and plenty of bike Alternatively, look for one of Interesting rock formations
Thuringian Forest (see pp194–5) stands. For those interested the “Pay & Play” courses, which that provide memorable
and Black Forest (see pp330–31). in mountain biking and more can be found throughout challenges are not only to
Before setting off on an adventurous cycling there are the country and usually have be found in the Alps, but
expedition you should get many great places to visit, and only six holes. For further throughout Germany. Places
maps showing the walking the ADFC (Allgemeiner information contact the such as the Harz Mountains (see
trails in your chosen region. Deutscher Fahrrad-Club) Deutscher Golf Verband. p151), Fichtelgebirge and the
Detailed information can be (German Cycling Federation) Most large German towns Schwäbische Alb (see pp318–19)
obtained from the Deutscher can supply maps, guidebooks have tennis courts that can be are all outstanding places for
Volkssportverband (German and advice. hired for a few hours and there sport climbing. Also, you can
Sports Federation) or the is almost always a private find indoor climbing gyms in
Deutscher Wander verband Water Sports tennis club in all the sizeable most cities. The Deutscher
(German Hiking Club). Guided towns and cities. For more Alpenverein (DAV) Bundes-
walking excursions can also be Germans enjoy all kinds of information on how to make a geschäftsstelle (German Alpine
organized through the local water sports. Water-skiing and Cyclists outside a traditional tavern in booking, contact the Deutscher Association) can help with all Mountain sports in the Schildenstein
tourist offices or by contacting wake-boarding are extremely Rhineland-Palatinate Tennis Bund. your climbing requirements. Mangfall mountains

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.7)
Date 5th March 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm