Philosopher's Path

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The Philosophenweg in Heidelberg is a gem located in the middle of nature that invites you to take a leisurely walk and relax above the Neckar River. From here you have a fantastic view of the castle opposite and the beautiful old town of Heidelberg below. There, the three striking towers of St. Peter's Church, the Jesuit Church and the Church of the Holy Spirit are particularly eye-catching.

A walking path breathes history

It is said that the Philosophenweg is one of the most beautiful walks in Germany and, at least on a first visit to Heidelberg, a "must". According to history, Hölderlin, von Eichendorff, Scheffel and Gadamer, to name just a few famous names of representatives of German poetry and philosophy, once stayed here. But watch out: The Philosophenweg (Philosophers' Path) supposedly did not get its name from them, but from the students of Heidelberg's tradition-steeped university, who went their separate ways there and spent romantic hours. For once upon a time, the study of philosophy with the so-called seven liberal arts of grammar, rhetoric, dialectics, arithmetic, geometry, music and astronomy stood before the study of the desired subject.

Uphill towards the sun

The entrance and exit to the Philosopher's Path are somewhat hidden. You will find the beginning at the end of Bergstraße, which is not far from Bismarckplatz. If you follow this road, after a few metres you will find yourself on the Philosophenweg, which leads steeply uphill at the beginning. The first meters, along one of the finest residential areas of the city, are quite strenuous. But once you have overcome this, you are rewarded with a fantastic view of the castle, the old town and the surrounding area, right up to the Palatinate mountains. To the right and left of the path, stone benches and especially the Philosophengärtchen invite you to linger and enjoy.

Since this is one of the warmest areas in Germany, on the southern side of the Heiligenberg, the vegetation is particularly lush and almost Mediterranean. Pine trees, palm trees, even pomegranates and citrus fruits thrive here and exude their scent. If one follows the path further, one gets over the so-called snake path as steeply downhill as it was uphill before. But also here, enough benches offer the opportunity to have a rest. After a few minutes, you reach the Neckar near the Old Bridge.

All in all, the Philosophenweg, which is about two kilometres long, is a sight that should not be missed during a visit to Heidelberg. In the enchanting nature, the Mediterranean climate and the many fantastic viewpoints, you can almost forget that you are not always alone up here.