Philosophenweg
Philosophenweg
4.5
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This famous path along the Neckar River has been frequented by numerous famous philosophers throughout history.
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Werner H.
Luxembourg City, Luxembourg334 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
Parking is very challenging - you will likely need to park a bit far and walk to the starting point of the hike.
The hike starts out a bit hectic with an upward climb of stairs but there are multiple stops along the way to rest if needed.
Once that part is over, the rest is pretty straightforward but there are no clear signs to guide you along the path so I ended up using my phone to navigate.
Go early in the day or later in the evening (16h) and a pack some food and drinks to enjoy with the amazing view!
The hike starts out a bit hectic with an upward climb of stairs but there are multiple stops along the way to rest if needed.
Once that part is over, the rest is pretty straightforward but there are no clear signs to guide you along the path so I ended up using my phone to navigate.
Go early in the day or later in the evening (16h) and a pack some food and drinks to enjoy with the amazing view!
Written August 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve_of_N21
London, UK3,377 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
This is what we did and would be my recommendation. It’s a bit of a climb from the river level, through the initial residential area, to the start of the walk, but significantly easier than walking up all the steep steps of the Schlangenweg from the Old Bridge.
It’s not long before you get to the Philosopher’s garden and from here the walk is generally flat and affords great views back across the river to Heidelberg.
When you reach the Schlangenweg, you can finish here and descend or carry on to the Hölderlin-Anlage, a pleasant spot with seating commemorating Hölderlins "Ode to Heidelberg"
There is a way back to the river from this end, but again I would advise retracing your steps as a shaded walk down the Snake Path, with its various hidden viewing areas to break the descent, is a lot of fun ( well it looked like we were having a lot more fun than those poor souls who chose to climb this route) and has the advantage of depositing you at the Old Bridge, a short stroll from all the bar and restaurant delights of the Old Town.
It’s not long before you get to the Philosopher’s garden and from here the walk is generally flat and affords great views back across the river to Heidelberg.
When you reach the Schlangenweg, you can finish here and descend or carry on to the Hölderlin-Anlage, a pleasant spot with seating commemorating Hölderlins "Ode to Heidelberg"
There is a way back to the river from this end, but again I would advise retracing your steps as a shaded walk down the Snake Path, with its various hidden viewing areas to break the descent, is a lot of fun ( well it looked like we were having a lot more fun than those poor souls who chose to climb this route) and has the advantage of depositing you at the Old Bridge, a short stroll from all the bar and restaurant delights of the Old Town.
Written September 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dominik z Rybnika
Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany410 contributions
Jun 2023 • Solo
On the northern bank of the Neckar stands the Heiligenberg hill. The path to it is long, difficult, and also winding - that’s why it is called the Snake Path. Finally, here he is, Philosophenweg. Ordinary students of the University of Heidelberg, and not necessarily the Faculty of Philosophy, were strolling here. It’s just that at that time “student” and “philosopher” were interchangeable concepts. But this does not make Philosophenweg any less significant for inspiration and the search for the meaning of life. The view from here is incredibly picturesque.
Written March 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bollwage
Bridgewater, NJ367 contributions
Sep 2022
We made the mistake of trying to take a taxi to begin our walk at the gardens. Taxi driver was confused and dropped us off just across from the old bridge at the base of the walkway which leads up the hill. My wife and I are in OK condition, and we took our time with the climb. There are some 3-4 stopping points where you can take a break – nice views too. Even with stopping it probably only took us 30 minutes to make the walk up the hill. From there walking down to the gardens and back, with stops, will take only about 1 ½ hr… depending on how long you want to enjoy the views of Heidelberg!
Written October 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MKTBE
Topeka, KS4,157 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
Philosopher's Way, is a path located on the northern banks of the Neckar River in Heidelberg, Germany. It is not hard to understand how professors, philosophers, and authors were historically drawn to, and inspired by, this beautiful pathway. The natural beauty, peaceful contemplation, and the panoramic views of Heidelberg are absolutely idyllic. Today, this same path is completely intact with gardens, informational plaques, and lovely views of the Neckar River, Old Town of Heidelberg, and Schloss Heidelberg. This was our families second visit to Heidelberg, and we came specifically to enjoy Philosopher's Way, Old Town Christmas Market, and Heidelberg Castle.
Written January 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Doddsworth
Montevideo, Uruguay6 contributions
Sep 2019
The wife and I like to take a long walk or hike when we have been on a long plane ride to work the kinks out. Turns out the best pictures of the trip were taken on the Philosopher's Walk. Great views of the city. We finished off in Neuenheim at a french restaurant and then walked back over the Ernst Bridge.
Written April 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
luciussilvae
Vilvoorde, Belgium5,294 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
This imaginative activity starts on the Schlangenweg on the other side of the Mitlerbrücke.
You go straight up in a kind of sunken road where you see nothing until you reach the Philosophenweg.
You will be richly rewarded for your considerable effort on the Philosophenweg in the form of the most beautiful views of Heidelberg Schloss and Altstadt.
The tour ends after a steep descent to the Theodor Heussbrücke and finally to Bismarck Square.
This activity is a real must do activity that anyone who can handle it should definitely do and is highly recommended by us.
You go straight up in a kind of sunken road where you see nothing until you reach the Philosophenweg.
You will be richly rewarded for your considerable effort on the Philosophenweg in the form of the most beautiful views of Heidelberg Schloss and Altstadt.
The tour ends after a steep descent to the Theodor Heussbrücke and finally to Bismarck Square.
This activity is a real must do activity that anyone who can handle it should definitely do and is highly recommended by us.
Written August 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ruth S
Ramstein-Miesenbach, Germany60 contributions
Oct 2019
If you're a philosophy geek, this may be the place for you. It is a lovely, steep climb, and then a less memorable view from the top with a very nondescript walkway that is shared with other traffic. Not highly trafficked, but I would rather take a morning run here than spend time for the view. Better sights from the castle or funicular rail.
Written January 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Foteini_S_Gr
Thessaloniki, Greece84 contributions
Aug 2022
Magnificent view of the old city of Heidelberg, Heidelberg Castle and Nekar river. The walk under the big shady trees is refreshing. Υou have to climb quite a few steps, somewhat steep and a bit slippery to reach the path, but it's worth ιt. Wear comfortable shoes and take a bottle of water with you.
Written March 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bnbass
Utrecht, The Netherlands394 contributions
Aug 2020
The philosophers walk towards the old bridge gives some nice views of the old town. Beware that you start on the far end and not the old bridge. The way up or down from the old bridge towards the philosopher´s walk is a small, steep, cobblestone alley called the snake-alley. It is better to walk this part downhill then uphill.
Written August 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alternatively you can get there by starting on the other (west) end of the Philosophers Way. Walk to the corner of Philosophenweg @ BergStrasse, and enjoy the leisurely incline up the Philosophers Way. To find that starting point, Bergstrasse dead ends onto Uferstraße near the Theodor-Heuss-Brücke. Uferstrasse is the frontage road to the neckar river at the Theodor-Heuss-Brucke. The road of the Theodor-Heuss-Brucke is the street that ends the west end of the Hauptstrasse through old town. So for example, my trip down the Philosophers Way started in old town, crossing the Alt-Brucke, up the cobble stone steps to the peak of the Philosophers Way, all the way down to the west end at the corner of Bergstrasse @ Philosophenweg, south across the Theodor-Heuss-Brucke and then east along hauptstrasse through old town to my starting point at the alt-brucke. Great walk.
Written August 29, 2019
We are visiting Heidelberg in December, and we are wondering if this hike is possible in winter? We aren't strangers to winter hiking and would have suitable clothing, etc.
Written August 13, 2017
The only thing I would recommend, if doing this in winter, is to make sure you have shoes with good soles and grip. We found the paved areas and stairs a little slippery, especially as it had been raining. It was still worth the effort, with beautiful views back over the city.
Written August 14, 2017
Pretendo visitar a cidade num bate e volta de trem com base em Frankfurt. Porém vi que a estação de trem de Heidelberg é um pouco longe do centro e do castelo. Além disso, o Caminho dos Filósofos fica mais longe ainda.
Gostaria de saber qual a melhor forma de mobilidade la, especialmente para o trajeto entre o centro turístico e a estação de trem.
Written July 17, 2017
Hello,
From reading reviews, it seems the walk ends by going over the old bridge and entering the city. Where does the trail begin? How long does it take to complete?
Thank you,
Chris
Written March 16, 2017
There are three main ways to and from the Philosophenweg. From east to west, these are the Hirschgasse, the Schlangenweg, and the most popular route that begins at the head of Ladenburgerstrasse in Neuenheim.
The Schlangenweg starts a little over a kilometer East of the Neuenheim entrance, right opposite the Old Bridge. It is the most demanding, as it consists of steep cobblestones plus 19 flights of stairs, while the other two routes are just pavement. Another 500m to the east is the Hirschgasse, opposite the weir (Schleuse) across from Karlstor. People can bike up and down the east and west routes, which would be impossible on the Schlangenweg.
Written March 3, 2018
Eduardo C
Cajazeiras, PB
Queria rever o centro dessa encantadora cidade Alemã e ao mesmo tempo queria saber o nome da festa que se realiza no final de maio e início de junho ,onde presenciei e consequentemente aumentou minha admiração pelo povo Alemão.
Written February 20, 2015
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