Heidelberg Walks: South Bank and North Bank
Heidelberg splits naturally into walking zones by bank and by slope. The Neckar divides the city, and each side has its own character underfoot. Here is a guide to where to start, what to expect and what to carry.
| Walk | Surface | Effort |
|---|---|---|
| South bank: Bismarckplatz to Karlsplatz | Paved, level | Easy |
| North bank: riverside and bridge | Paved, level | Easy |
| Schlangenweg to Philosophenweg | Cobbles, then gravel | Steep start |
| Molkenkur to the Königstuhl | Rough stone steps | Strenuous |
South bank: the Old Town
Start from Bismarckplatz and follow Hauptstrasse for around 1.6 km, with a turn at Marktplatz for the Heiliggeistkirche and the Hercules Fountain. The street ends at Karlsplatz, where the castle shows its north face. Every metre is paved, and the Old Town is closed to cars, so pushchairs and wheelchairs cope well. The Studentenkarzer at Augustinergasse 2 lies a short detour away and is open Monday to Saturday from 10:30 to 16:00 between October and May, with a combined ticket at €7.50.
North bank: the bridge and the river
Walk from the Old Bridge to the north bank and follow the river path for a view back across the water at the castle and the red roofs. This stretch is flat. The path goes on to the Neckarwiese, a long riverside meadow.
Up the slope: the Philosophenweg
The Schlangenweg begins just beyond the north end of the bridge. Its switchbacks are cobbled, narrow and steep, with walls on either side. Fallen leaves, rain and frost make the stones treacherous, so wear shoes with a grippy sole and walk slowly on the way down. After the climb the Philosophenweg runs for about 2 km along the slope, and the Philosophengärtchen terrace gives a place to stop. It is public and free, and daylight is best.
Up the mountain: the Himmelsleiter
The stairway from Molkenkur to the summit has about 1,200 rough sandstone steps of uneven height. Walk it only if you are fit, carry water and allow time to rest. A single fare for the upper funicular section is €7 for adults if you prefer to ride down, or €10 for a return. The Bergbahn site, bergbahn-heidelberg.de , lists the current fares, which rise in January 2027.
Guided options
The only guided walk to know about is the night watchman tour Auf den Spuren der Nachtwächter, which meets at the Rathaus on Marktplatz. It lasts about 90 minutes, starts at around 20:00 and costs from about €16.90. Dates change through the year.
A note on the Thingstätte
The Heiligenberg path above the Philosophenweg leads to the Thingstätte, an open-air amphitheatre from 1934 and 1935 built under the Nazi regime. Walk up in daylight, because the stone tiers are uneven and the site has no lighting or fences, and treat it as a historical site rather than a viewpoint.
Read more: Heidelberg sightseeing and the four-day itinerary . For a guided option, look up Heidelberg walking tours on Viator .