The most beautiful train routes in Germany

Board the Harzer Schmalspurbahnen and travel through the heart of the Harz mountains. This lies on the border of Saxony Anhalt and Lower Saxony. The historic narrow-gauge railway network of over 140 kilometres connects charming towns with the summit of the Brocken. At 1,142 metres, this mountain is the highest in northern Germany. The steam locomotives, some more than 100 years old, puff through forests and over old bridges. Passing villages such as Wernigerode and Schierke, you get a good idea of the Harz Mountains along the way. The ride to the Brocken takes about 50 minutes and takes you through dense forests and mountain slopes. At the summit, you get off at the Brockenbahnhof, where you have views over the national park and can visit the small museum in the Brockenhaus.

Discover the magic of the Romantic Rhine on board the Rhein Valley Railway. The train winds through Germany's stunning Middle Rhine Valley. Along the meandering river in this UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its ancient trade route, magnificent views unfold. You'll see steep vineyards, medieval castles and quaint towns like Koblenz, Boppard, Bacharach and St Goar. Along the way, you pass the famous Loreley rock and ancient castles high above the water. The route offers not only visual spectacle, but also local culture. Along the way, you pass picturesque towns where you can get out to taste local wines and stroll through charming streets. Choose a riverside window seat and enjoy one of the most beautiful train journeys in Germany and maybe even Europe.

The Schwarzwaldbahn runs straight through the beautiful Black Forest in Baden-Württemberg. The railway connects Offenburg on the Rhine plain with Singen near Lake Constance. From there, you travel easily on to Constance. Along the way, the train passes charming towns such as Hornberg, Triberg and St. Georgen. In Triberg, you can visit the famous waterfalls. The route goes through 39 tunnels and over high viaducts. From the train, you can see dense forests, deep valleys and green mountain meadows. Train journeys like the Black Forest Railway in Germany are a perfect example of sustainable travel. You enjoy a beautiful nature experience with minimal impact on the environment. The Schwarzwaldbahn is an engineering marvel from the 19th century. It is ingeniously designed to bridge the steep slopes and deep valleys of the Black Forest with tunnels, viaducts and clever track constructions. It is one of the most beautiful mountain railways in Europe and an unforgettable journey.

In the enchanting south of Bavaria, close to the Austrian border, the Bayerische Zugspitzbahn starts. The train departs from the charming alpine town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen and goes via Grainau to the idyllic Lake Eibsee. Along the way, you will drive through tunnels in the mountains and see green meadows, shimmering lakes and snow-capped peaks. The whole trip takes about three to four hours. At the top, a breathtaking 360° panorama of the Alps of Germany, Austria and Switzerland awaits. The round trip combines the historic rack railway, the modern Gletscherbahn and a spectacular cable car back to the valley.

Board the Elbtalbahn and enjoy a scenic train journey from Dresden to Děčín in the Czech Republic. The ride starts in the baroque city of Dresden and follows the River Elbe via Pirna and Bad Schandau. On the way, you will drive through the spectacular Sächsische Schweiz National Park. Here you will see sandstone cliffs, towering cliffs and the meandering river. The whole trip is about sixty-six kilometres long and takes around an hour. The railway was opened in the mid-19th century. It connects Germany and the Czech Republic and is part of the European railway network.

The Tuttlingen-Inzigkofen railway line is a quiet, almost hidden route that takes travellers through authentic southern Germany. The railway line is about 37 kilometres long and runs through the valley of the upper Danube. The train departs from Tuttlingen and stops in Fridingen, Beuron and Sigmaringen, before reaching Inzigkofen. The whole route takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Along the way, the steep limestone cliffs, deep river gorges and green forests of the Obere Donau Naturpark offer spectacular views. Historic stations, bridges and tunnels from the 19th century showcase the ingenious railway construction. The impressive Sigmaringen Castle is also clearly visible from the train.