Erpelntalskopf walks

The last stage of the Cologne Trail will remain unforgettable for many hikers. On its long journey from Cologne through the Bergisches Land and the Westerwald, the Cologne Trail leads to Himmerich, which offers wonderful views. After that, the trail approaches its last and perhaps most beautiful sections. We wander along beautiful forest paths through the Siebengebirge and can make a detour to the Löwenburg. Finally, we visit the Drachenfels and hike through the famous Nachtigallental valley to Königswinter.

The penultimate section of the Cologne Trail initially runs along a wildly romantic section high above the Wied, then along the former Linz-Neustadt railway line. We climb uphill through a deciduous forest to Rüddel, where we can enjoy a beautiful view. Later, we hike steeply down to Hammerhof and continue through the Pfaffenbach valley. Following the Windhagenerbach stream, we reach Windhagen with its beautiful St. Bartholomäus church. The hike ends in Rottbitze.

This section of the Cologne Trail differs significantly from the previous sections. In Winterscheid, we reach the heights of the Nutscheid and only have one climb to tackle before reaching Altenherfen. We walk along wide forest paths and enjoy magnificent views of the mountains beyond the Siegtal valley, the Westerwald and the Siebengebirge mountains. Only after Altenherfen does the Cologne Trail descend into the valley, before we have to climb steeply again behind Rieferath. Our varied hike ends in Herchen, a climatic health resort in one of the most beautiful spots in the Siegtal valley.