Haan walks

The long-distance hiking trail opens up the Königsforst, the southern Bergisches Land, leads through the Westerwald to the monasteries of Marienthal and Marienstatt and into the Kroppacher Schweiz, one of the most charming areas of the Westerwald. We hike through Hachenburg and the Hoher Westerwald and reach the highest point of the Cologne Trail at 567 metres on the Marienberger Höhe. An impressive basalt park near Bad Marienberg and the Stöffel Tertiary Industry Adventure Park near Stockum-Püschen explain the importance of basalt mining. We will be transported to the unique cultural landscape of the Westerwald Lake District near Dreifelden and pass through Metteshahner Schweiz to Neustadt (Wied). On the last section, we will hike to the Drachenfels and Königswinter.

Königsforst is the name of the stop where tram line 9 ends in Cologne-Rath-Heumar, and this is where the Cologne Trail begins. The markings for the Cologne Trail, a white K on a black mirror, which we see for the first time at this point, will guide us safely through the southern Bergisches Land and the Westerwald for 253 kilometres to Königswinter. We first stroll through a park-like landscape, then through unspoilt forest. On wide, gently ascending paths, we pass a water treading pool, the Kaisereiche oak tree and cross the former Bensberg-Rösrath railway line, hiking through the quiet Wahlbach valley until we reach Lehmbach and Sülze via the Tütberg.

We hike along beautiful paths over the Lüderich, which has an eventful mining history, pass the winding tower of the Franziska shaft and skirt Hoffnungsthal. Later, we pass a grain distillery in Hofferhof, hike through the valley of the Kupfersiefer Bach and reach a viewpoint behind Oberschönrath with a view of the Cologne Bay and the Siebengebirge mountains. Via the Gammersbacher Mühle mill and the picturesque half-timbered village of Muchensiefen, we reach Kreuznaaf on the Naafbach stream.

This route first takes us into the dreamy Naafbach Valley. On ascending paths, we cross Deesem, enter a large forest area, hike to the Wahnbach and reach Neunkirchen. There, the Church of St. Margareta is worth a visit. Via Ingersau, we reach the Bröltal valley. Behind Winterscheiderbröl, we tackle another strenuous climb before arriving at St. Servatius Church in Winterscheid.

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.