Nickenich walks

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 route is also one of the highlights of the Cologne Trail. From the Grenzbachtal valley, we climb up to Horhausen and reach two former mines, the Otto-Stollen and the Friedrich-Wilhelm-Grube, near Niedersteinebach. Later, above Niedersteinebach, we reach a wonderful vantage point and hike through forests past a "legendary" oak tree to Peterslahr. We visit Ehrenstein Monastery, cross the Wied, pass through the Metteshahner Schweiz, reach the Bertenauer Kopf and finally arrive in Neustadt.

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 hike goes through the Märkerwald forest, past the Max and Moritz oak trees to Dernbach, then through meadows and fields to Urbach, a village with a church reminiscent of the Palatine Chapel in Aachen. Behind Urbach, a beautiful beech forest welcomes us. We reach Linkenbach, whose main street is named after the path that runs through the village: the Kölner Weg. Through the Linkenbach Valley, we reach the Grenzbachtal and the Grenzbach Mill.

The stage takes us behind Selters to the "Hahn" hill and the "Wacht" viewpoint, where we come across a Stone Age site. Later, we reach the old Jewish cemetery of Selters and learn why many inhabitants of Sessenhausen were "Landgänger" (people who left the land), pass a biotope at the Holzbach stream and reach Dierdorf through a magnificent beech forest.

The section between Leuscheid and Marienthal Monastery offers many highlights. We hike through a hilly landscape on a wide, tree-lined path. Again and again, new and surprising views open up before us. Behind Ehrentalsmühle, we have a slightly longer climb through the forest to Ückertseifen, but we are rewarded for our efforts with a view of the Hammer Ländchen. Passing the Wunderbuche (miracle beech) near Birkenbeul, we finally climb the Beulskopf with the Raiffeisen Tower. Along the edge of the forest, we pass Hilgenroth, reach another beautiful forest and finally Marienthal with its former monastery.

Up close and personal with the Sieg A varied tour with numerous scenic highlights and sights. The seventh stage is a little more strenuous than its predecessors, but very adventurous. Over hill and dale, up and down, with magnificent views of the Sieg river and Windeck Castle. • Beautiful routes along the Sieg • Adventurous route along many narrow paths, otherwise riverside, forest and meadow trails • Finish at the Sieg waterfall in Schladern

On this hike, we leave Herchen on the Höhenweg trail above Siegtalstraße. On narrow paths and through deep gorges, over narrow bridges and through numerous hairpin bends, we hike high above the Sieg to Herchen railway station. Here we cross the Sieg and climb uphill again. Soon we find ourselves high above the river again. We have to tackle another steep climb before we reach Schneppe. On the way to Kuchhausen, we can make a detour to an impressive basalt crater. The hike ends in Leuscheid.

This exceptionally varied hike first takes us through meadows, pastures and forests to the Nister, a small tributary of the Sieg. At Alhausen, a village with beautiful half-timbered houses, we cross the Nister and continue above the river on wonderful narrow paths to Heimborn. This is one of the most picturesque sections of the entire Cologne Trail.

There is hardly a more unspoilt and picturesque section along the Nister than the stretch between Heimborn and Hachenburg. At Heimborn, the Kleine Nister flows into the Nister. This is one of the most charming spots in the Westerwald. The Nister, which has carved its way deep into the north-eastern part of the Rhenish Slate Mountains, has formed steep and unusual rock formations, such as the Hohe Ley, together with mountain folds. Since the Middle Ages, the Nister Valley with the Marienstatt monastery has been a Christian centre and boasts a special gem: the oldest Gothic church on the right bank of the Rhine in Germany.