Best backpacking trails in North Rhine-Westphalia

This route is stage 3 of the Eifelsteig, a premium long-distance trail through the Eifel region. This specific section starts in the historic cloth-making town of Monschau and ends in Einruhr on the Obersee lake. The path leads from picturesque half-timbered alleys up to the Kierberg viewpoint and continues along the Perlenbach Reservoir to Monschau-Höfen. A unique feature of this area is the house-high beech hedges, traditionally used as windbreaks. The trail then follows the winding course...

This route is stage 1 of the Eifelsteig, a premium long-distance trail through the Eifel region. This specific section starts in the historic center of Kornelimünster near Aachen and ends in Roetgen. The path leads from the picturesque Korneliusmarkt past the impressive Itertal Viaduct up onto the first Eifel ridges. A scenic highlight is the Struffelt Heide nature reserve, an idyllic high moor traversed via narrow wooden boardwalks. Hikers also pass the viewing platform at the Dreilägerbach...

This route is stage 4 of the Eifelsteig, a long-distance trail through North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate. This specific section starts in Einruhr and ends in Gemünd. The path leads along the steep slopes of the Obersee lake up to the Dreiborn Plateau, passing through the historic Vogelsang IP site and the ghost village of Wollseifen. Hikers enjoy vast panoramic views over the Eifel National Park before descending into the valley town of Gemünd. Overnight stays are available...

This route is stage 2 of the Eifelsteig, a long-distance trail through North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate. This specific section starts in Roetgen and ends in Monschau. The path leads from the Gateway to the High Fens across the Belgian border and through the unique high moor landscape of the High Fens. Hikers follow the historical Vennbahn railway line through spruce forests and open heathlands before descending into the narrow Rur Valley to the medieval cloth-making town of...

This route follows stage 1 of the Rheinsteig, which begins in Bonn and ends in Königswinter. The trail starts at the Bonn city hall, crosses the Rhine via the Kennedy Bridge, and follows the riverbanks before heading into the forests of the Siebengebirge. It passes scenic lakes and historic landmarks like the Roman memorial stone, the Bonn Museum Mile, and Rheinaue Leisure Park, concluding with an ascent of Mount Petersberg. Overnight stays are accommodated in local guesthouses and hotels in...

This route follows stage 2 of the Rheinsteig, which begins in Königswinter and ends in Bad Honnef. Starting at the Drachenfels rack railway station, the path ascends past Drachenfels Castle into the mixed forests of the Siebengebirge. It passes the Uhlan Memorial above Rhöndorf, winds up to the Löwenburg ruins and the Löwenburger Hof, and navigates steep switchbacks before descending into Bad Honnef. Overnight stays are accommodated in local guesthouses and hotels in Bad Honnef, as wild...

Panoramic, second section of the Wildnistrail long-distance hiking trail near Gemünd in the Eifel, North Rhine-Westphalia. The Wildnistrail ("wilderness trail")is a four-stage hike across the national park from Höfen to Zerkall. This route is the 2nd section between Einruhr and Gemünd. A visit to the Vogelsang Visitor Centre is recommended along the way. There, certified speakers provide information about the military past of the site. From the Eifel View Station Modenhübel, the unrivalled...

This route is stage 2 of the Hermannsweg, a long-distance trail through the Teutoburger Wald. This specific section begins in Riesenbeck at the Westfalenstrasse and travels east to the town hall in Tecklenburg. The path marks the beginning of the true ridge trail, leading hikers over narrow crests and past striking sandstone formations. Significant natural landmarks include the Dörenther Klippen and the legendary Hockendes Weib rock, alongside the Dreikaiserstuhl and Hexenküche formations....

Scenic section of the Wilderness Trail in the Eifel This route leads past roaring streams, colorful flower meadows, dense forests and offers beautiful panoramic views. The entire wilderness trail consists of four stages that lead across the Eifel National Park. This first stage begins in the west of Höfen and leads south along the Perlenbach. First via Furthsbachweg, which runs along the Furthsbach for a while. At the Belgian border, turn left and enter the Eifel National Park. This section...

This route is stage 5 of the Eifelsteig, a long-distance trail through North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate. This specific section starts in Gemünd and ends at Steinfeld Abbey. The path leads from the confluence of the Olef and Urft rivers up to the Kuckucksley viewpoint and through the historic timber-framed village of Olef. Hikers traverse quiet forest areas with traces of former ore mining before the view of the imposing Steinfeld Abbey opens up near Golbach. Overnight stays...