Come and experience a wellness walk German style: lots of natural surfaces, barefoot!
Germany is a place where time outdoors and wellness are valued. Barefoot walking paths are just one fun, family friendly way to do both.
Bad Wünnenberg, just a short drive from the city of Paderborn in the North Rhine-Westphalia region, is home to a particularly lovely barefoot park.
The Barefoot Walk, Bad Wünnenberg
The town of Bad Wünnenberg enjoys a rural location tucked between the historic city of Paderborn and the start of the rural, hilly Sauerland region. It makes it the perfect town for a day trip or short break; far enough out of the city to feel like a real escape, but not too far into the hills and forest.
On the edge of town, located in pretty parkland around a lake ( known as the Paddelteich) you will find the 1km long barefoot trail, or Barfußpark: something I’d never heard of before moving to Germany, but something I embrace the benefits of now
The concept is very simple, take the name literally. Shoes and socks off and start walking. The route is made up of multiple different surfaces walk made up of different surfaces designed to exercise and massage the feet.
The trail is designed to expose the feet to lot of textures: warm bark to a cold stream, grass to stone and even a pit of liquid clay. I wasn’t so keen on the the clay pit but, as the husband pointed out, I smear similar stuff on my face, it just comes prettily scented and packaged. He has a point.
The Bad Wünnenberg barefoot walk ends at a seating area with an old-fashioned pump and trough to be used to clean any lingering bits of clay or dirt from your feet. The water can be chilly, but it’s a refreshing way to end your bare foot experience.
My tips for visiting the barefoot trail, Bad Wünnenberg
Refreshments: Post walk you, stop off for a bite to eat and a drink at the cafe AAtal Haus for a beer or maybe the classic German afternoon treat of coffee and cake.
Dry Your Feet: You’ll want to clean and dry your feet well at the end of the walk. Some walkers bring towels, but a micro fibre cloth works just as well and is easier to pack and wash.
Free: Almost all the activities at the park in Bad Wünnenberg are free, including the bare foot trail.
Location: To get to Bad Wünnenberg use the address Am Kurpark 3,33181.
A note for my fellow military wife readers: If you’re posted in Germany and living in the Paderborn/ Sennelager/ Bad Lippspringe area, this is a really easy and inexpensive day out. It’s only a 30-40 minute drive, the postcode above will get you there.
Other Things to do at Bad Wünnenberg Barefoot Trail
The barefoot trail at Bad Wünnenberg is just one part of the park. After your walk you might want to:
Visit the Kniepp Oasis: A great option to pack a bit more self care into your visit. The Kniepp practice involves using water and varying temperatures to promote good health. In Bad Wünnenberg you’ll find a wading pool and an arm bath. It feels a little strange if you haven’t done it before, but it does leave you feeling good. Details here.
Feed the Deer: If you know me, you’ll know I never skip this. Just along from the end of the barefoot walk and the cafe, find the animal enclosures. There’s a collection of goats, sheep and deer most of whom are used to humans and will happily be hand fed. Buy food from the barn for €1 a bag.
The Big Slide: Have a go on ‘Big Sam’, a 35m long tube slide set against the hillside. A bit for fun for the young and young-at-heart.
The Benefits of Barefoot Walking
You might be wondering: what are the benefits of barefoot walking?
As well as being great fun, there’s some solid science behind the benefits of going barefoot in a place where it’s safe to do so.
The different textures and surfaces exercise, massage and stretch the twenty-six bones, thirty or so joints and many muscles, tendons and ligaments that make up our feet. Walking barefoot on different surfaces allows us to use our feet in the way they were designed to move, unrestricted.
Additionally, walking barefoot is said to help us recover our natural gait, something that can be thrown off by badly fitting or trend led footwear and help stimulate reflexology points in the feet. Also, it feels really good!
Other Bare Foot Walks in Germany
Barefoot trails are very popular all over Germany, you will find them all over. If you want to find one just google the place name and ‘ bare foot trail’. Not all are free, some do charge for admission.
Some of the walks are in really interesting places. For example, at Beelitz-Heilstätten, you can choose from four barefoot trails in woodland that is within the grounds of an abandoned hospital. How about that for an adventure?
Full Guide to Visiting Beelitz Heilstatten (Coming soon)
Getting outdoors and barefoot is a great way to relax and reconnect with the natural world. It is a great way to soothe the mind as well as overworked feet… a bit like pressing a reset button.
I love a beautiful shoe as much as the next person, but don’t underestimate the benefits of going back to barefoot basics.
If you liked this post you might also enjoy 10 Things to Enjoy With Kids in Germany
Helen x
This sounds brilliant…will definitely need to pin to try! Germany is one of the places I’d really like to visit xx
Its a great place, although living here took a bit of getting used to. I’ll be sad to leave when the time comes!