Wanderung
/ˈvandəʁʊŋ/
The German word for hike is Wanderung.
Wanderung is a noun meaning a long walk for pleasure or exercise. If you wish to express the action of hiking as a verb, you should use wandern.
Meaning: to take a long walk for pleasure or exercise (verb)
Which one should you use?
Wanderung implies a long, often strenuous hike in nature, whereas Spaziergang refers to a casual, short stroll for pleasure.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Switzerland, the term Bärgwanderig can be used specifically to describe mountain hiking.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Wanderung is a feminine noun and takes the article die. The plural form is Wanderungen.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈvandəʁʊŋ/
Did you know?
- The word Wanderung is used in science to describe the migration of animals or the movement of electrons, extending the idea of 'hiking' to any systemic shift.
- Germany has a deep cultural tradition of Wandern linked to the 19th-century Romantic movement, which viewed hiking as a spiritual way to connect with nature and the national identity.
- You might encounter the term 'Stammtisch' during a 'Wanderung', as many hiking groups finish their walk by gathering at a specific table in a local tavern.
Examples in context
- Wir sollten die Wanderung streichen.We should cancel the hike.This sentence is useful for talking about canceling a hike using the verb streichen with Wanderung.Tatoeba #675628 by Esperantostern, translation #632558 by CK
- Wir sollten die Wanderung besser absagen.We had better cancel the hike.This sentence is useful for talking about canceling a hike using the verb absagen with Wanderung.Tatoeba #1811975 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #35541 by spockofvulcan
- Wir sollten die Wanderung besser abblasen.We'd better cancel the hike.This sentence is useful for talking about canceling a hike using the verb abblasen with Wanderung.Tatoeba #1811973 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1415863 by CK
- Ich plane eine Wanderung in den Alpen.I'm planning a hike in the Alps.
- Wir haben eine Wandertour durch den Schwarzwald gemacht.We went on a hiking tour through the Black Forest.
- Lass uns am Wochenende wandern gehen!Let's go hiking this weekend!
- Wir machen eine Bergtour in den Tiroler Alpen.We're going on a mountain hike in the Tyrolean Alps.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Maximilian are planning their weekend activity.
- HannahHast du Lust auf eine Wanderung?Do you feel like going for a hike?
- MaximilianJa, wohin wollen wir gehen, Hannah?Yes, where do we want to go, Hannah?
- HannahDie Wanderung in den Bergen wäre toll.The hike in the mountains would be great.
- MaximilianDas klingt super, Maximilian ist dabei!That sounds great, Maximilian is in!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry Wanderung, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
