Best backpacking trails in Cologne

Sixth section of the Cologne Trail, North Rhine-Westphalia. This stage leads along the Rhine for longer. The route is often shared with cyclists, so mutual respect is important. There are cafés and restaurants in Flittard to stop for a bite to eat and after this section of the hike, the route heads into the countryside for a bit. As always, the hiking trail is well connected to public transport. Highlights: - idyllic lakes and rivers - "Alter Schlackehafen" viewpoint - Stammheim castle park

First stage of the long-distance hiking trail Kölnpfad, North Rhine-Westphalia. A good basic level of fitness is required for the first, quite long stage of the Kölnpfad Trail. It starts at the Rodenkirchen bridge. The route passes the Weißer Rheinbogen, the Forest Botanical Garden and the Friedenswäldchen forest until the end of the stage, the Klettenbergpark, is reached. There are several places to stop for refreshments here. Highlights of the route: - Rhine bank - Forest Botanical...

Relaxed stage of the long-distance hiking trail "Kölnpfad" near Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia. The second stage of the Kölnpfad starts at the Klettenbergpark stop and ends at the Bocklemünd stop. Most of the time, the route follows well-surfaced paths along Cologne's green belt. However, the route also briefly runs along a very busy road - special care is required here. It is possible to stop off at the "Haus am See" with its mini golf course. Highlights of the hike: - Cologne's green...

Fourth stage of the long-distance hiking trail "Kölnpfad", North Rhine-Westphalia. The fourth stage of the over 170 km long Cologne Trail runs from Thenhoven to Merkenich. The start is directly at Cologne-Worringen S-Bahn station. The section is characterised by two magnificent nature reserves. Firstly, the Worringer Bruch is crossed. This includes silted-up arms of the Old Rhine. The route continues through the Rhine floodplains, which are also a nature reserve, and through the Rhine...

Fifth section of the Cologne Trail in North Rhine-Westphalia. The starting point for this section is the Merkenich stop. It runs along the Frühlinger lake - here there is a rowing island with a bistro and a bathing area for cooling off in summer. The route then runs along the Rhine via Niel and on to Mühlheim. There are refreshment stops along the way. Highlights: - Frühlinger lake with bathing area - View of the Rhine floodplains - Fort I

Beautiful section of the Kölnpfad, North Rhine-Westphalia. Start is in Bocklemund at the Fettenhof car park. Although this stage often leads along roads, it also offers several lakes and beautiful forest sections, as well as many beautiful views. The finish is at Cologne-Worringen railway station. This means the journey can be continued easily by train. There is also a restaurant near the finish point where to stop for refreshments. Highlights: - Intermediate plant IIIb - Stöckheimer Lake...

This historic pilgrimage stage leads from the Cologne Cathedral westward through the Rhineland to Kerpen. The route follows a mix of paved paths, urban green belts—such as the Outer Green Belt—and quiet field tracks through the Cologne Lowland. A major highlight is starting at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cologne Cathedral, and visiting the Brauweiler Abbey with its impressive Romanesque church. The trail is technically simple and, thanks to the flat terrain, perfectly suited for a...

Stage 1 of the long-distance hiking trail "Kölner Weg", North Rhine-Westphalia. This is the first stage of the traditional Cologne Trail, which leads from Cologne's Königsforst forest over a distance of around 255 kilometres through the Westerwald, Bergisches Land and Siebengebirge mountains to Königswinter. The first stage runs from Cologne to Rösrath. For the most part, you walk along quiet forest paths through Cologne's Königsforst forest. There are places to stay overnight and stop for...

12th stage of the official long-distance cycle route Pilgerroute (D-Route 7) from Flensburg to Aachen This long-distance cycle route is part of the EuroVelo route EV3, a trans-European pilgrimage route from Trondheim in Norway to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, passing through Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Belgium, France and Spain. The route is signposted almost continuously with the D7 logo (half a wheel with the number 7 on a red background). Highlights: - Exciting cycling through...

Varied long-distance hiking trail in the low mountain range, North Rhine-Westphalia/Rhineland-Palatinate. This varied hiking trail, which was created more than 100 years ago, leads through the idyllic Westerwald, the picturesque hills of the Bergisches Land and the Siebengebirge. Most hikers walk the Cologne Trail in 17 daily stages. This trail can be reached by train and bus and has many places to stop for refreshments and overnight accommodation. Highlights of the hike: - Low mountain...