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Located on the top of Heidelberger Kurfürstendamm in Germany, Heidelberg Castle was built in the 13th century and is a mixture of Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance styles. I have seen too many tourists crowding in the main square of the castle to queue for the elevator, or following the tour group to quickly check in at the "big barrel" and leave. But in fact, the most charming parts of Heidelberg Castle are often hidden in the less-traveled paths, secret viewing platforms and those neglected historical corners. This local's private walking route shared today not only allows you to avoid 99% of tourists, but most importantly - it is free throughout the journey (unless you want to go to the museum), and the walking intensity is friendly, suitable for you who like slow travel.
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Starting point: Alte Brücke, the old bridge at the foot of the castle
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End point: Schlossgarten sunset viewing platform
Distance: about 3 kilometers (including ups and downs)
Best time: 8-10 am or 4-6 pm (soft light and few people)
(Coordinates: Next to the monkey statue at the Alte Brücke bridge)
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99% of tourists will go directly across the bridge to the castle, but locals do this first:
Stand next to the third lamppost on the southeast side of the bridge and use a telephoto lens to aim at the castle - this angle can capture the magical effect of the castle "floating" on the Neckar River (even more amazing in the early morning mist).
Trivia: The bronze monkey statue on the bridge holds a mirror in its left hand. It is said that touching the mirror will make you rich, but locals only touch its right toe - this is the "secret ritual" that really brings good luck.
(Coordinates: Burgweg trail fork)
Don't follow the crowd to the main road! After crossing the river from the old bridge:
Walk along the Burgweg trail for 5 minutes
After seeing the "Zur alten Ziegelhütte" restaurant sign, turn right onto the dirt trail
Pass through a grove of chestnut trees, and suddenly - the panoramic view of the castle's west wall suddenly appears in front of you!
Why is it special?
This path is an ancient road for transporting building materials in the Middle Ages, and there are traces of horse wheels on the stone slabs.
The west wall is the only part of the castle that has not been bombed, and it retains the original Renaissance carvings.
(Coordinates: Ruins area in the northwest corner of the castle)
Official maps will not mark this place, but walking north along the west wall, you will see:
Ruins of Friedrichsbau Tower - burned down in the air raid in 1944, the charred stairs can still be climbed (safe!)
Private camera position: Stand on the ruins of the second floor and take a panoramic view of the city with the broken arch as the frame
Suggested action: Download the podcast "Heidelberg Uncut" Episode 7, listen to the oral history of the survivors of the castle fire while touching the burn marks (immersion is full!)
Yes, the world-famous big barrel (Großes Fass) is worth seeing, but:
Go before 9:30 or after 17:00 to avoid the tour groups
Don't crowd on the first floor! Go around the barrel and climb the narrow ladder to the second-floor viewing platform - here you can take a bird's-eye view of the barrel, and there is also an 18th-century "drunk cell" hidden (the drunk guards were once locked here to sober up)
(Coordinates: Schlossgarten on the east side of the castle)
90% of tourists leave after seeing the barrels and miss this:
Wild vine corridor: You can pick and eat when the fruits are in September (legal! Local winemakers keep the varieties privately)
"Hegel's bench": The philosopher often sat here to write, and his famous saying "Truth is a whole" is engraved on the back of the chair
Sunset viewing platform: Bring a bottle of Riesling wine and overlook the process of lighting up the whole city
The castle perimeter is free, and entry is free Museum/barrel costs €9
Return bus No. 33 (free with castle ticket)
Avoid Mondays (museum closed) and music festivals in July and August
Go down the mountain on the "Snake Path" (Schlangenweg), the steps are gentler and pass by the memorial plaque of the romantic poet Eichendorff
For dinner, go to the "Schnitzelbank" restaurant in the old town and order a "castle keeper's set" (including local dark beer)
When tourists rush down the mountain, please stay for 20 minutes - the moment the castle lights up (about 21:00 in summer) is the magic moment: the warm yellow light outlines the ruins, the Neckar River reflects the stars, and your camera is already full of pictures that 99% of tourists have never seen.