Best cave trails in North Rhine-Westphalia
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Explore the most popular cave trails in North Rhine-Westphalia with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you.
Top trails
- 4.3 (124)·Easy·2.2 mi·Est. 1–1.5 hrThis scenic route through the Teutoburg Forest follows the legendary Hexenpfad, or Witches' Path. The adventure begins at the marketplace in the medieval town of Tecklenburg. From here, the path climbs and dips through the woods, visiting five unique stops marked by signs. Visitors can explore the ruins of the Tecklenburg castle, which was once the largest hilltop fortress in northern Germany. One highlight is the Wierturm, a brick tower built to honor Johann Wier, a physician who bravely...
- 4.6 (100)·Moderate·6.6 mi·Est. 3–3.5 hrThis scenic route is part of the Teuto loops and is a certified premium hiking trail. Forests, meadows and the nature reserve near Brochterbeck with its abandoned quarry make for a varied landscape. A special highlight during this hike through the TERRA.vita Nature and Geopark are also the magnificent views over Münsterland. The Tecklenburger Bergpfad is located in the premium hiking region "Tecklenburger Land". There is a car park near the starting point and a restaurant to stop at...
- 4.7 (97)·Moderate·4.8 mi·Est. 2–2.5 hrMeditative loop in the Eifel National Park, North Rhine-Westphalia This hike was created by the "Church in the Eifel National Park" network and the National Park administration. Under the motto "On the trail of life", a spiritual approach to nature in the beautiful Eifel landscape can be found along several stations. The Creation Path itself is 3km long and leads up to the Dreiborn plateau. If you want, you can also go on a guided hike (see tips). Depending on the weather, the path can be a...
- 4.6 (59)·Hard·12.4 mi·Est. 5.5–6 hrThis 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....
- 4.5 (35)·Hard·14.7 mi·Est. 7–7.5 hrScenic 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...
- 4.4 (45)·Hard·14.7 mi·Est. 6.5–7 hrThis route is stage 6 of the Eifelsteig, a long-distance trail through North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate. This specific section starts at Steinfeld Abbey and ends in Blankenheim. The path leads through the Gillesbach Valley and follows the Urft river to the Grüner Pütz, an ancient Roman spring collection site. Hikers pass Nettersheim and the Römerweiher pond with the nearby Görresburg temple complex before reaching Blankenheim, featuring its iconic castle and the source of the...
- 4.0 (30)·Moderate·2.3 mi·Est. 1–1.5 hrPopular hike through the Hemer Felsenmeer. South of the Sauerland Park, the path runs through the wild, rugged rocky landscape and the fairytale Balver Forest. There are several caves along the hike. The route begins at the information center. Highlights of the hike: - Bear Cave - Viewpoint Helle - Pericks climb - Heinrichtshöhle - Prince's Cave - Karst formation and caves - Felsenmeer viewpoint
- 4.2 (58)·Moderate·5.2 mi·Est. 2.5–3 hrVaried circular route near Engelskirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia. This beautiful hike is all about "caves". Along the way you will find numerous information boards that provide information about the caves and caving in the region. The giant cave Windloch was only discovered in 2019 and is now the largest cave in North Rhine-Westphalia with a length of more than 8,200 meters. The route leads on partly steep, narrow forest paths - good shoes and sure-footedness are recommended. The effort is...
- 4.5 (19)·Moderate·6 mi·Est. 3–3.5 hrPicturesque loop in the Eifel National Park, North Rhine-Westphalia This idyllic circular hike starts at the chapel in Erkensruhr and leads along beautiful forest paths along the Erkensruhr in the direction of Dreiborn. Past old slate quarries and the "Waldstube" in Hirschrott, the path leads back into the valley. There is a refreshment stop in Erkensruhr. Highlights: - Forest chapel Erkensruhr - Bat caves - Beautiful views - Local flora and fauna - Labyrinth
- 4.0 (25)·Easy·2.4 mi·Est. 1–1.5 hrFamily-friendly loop trail in the TERRA.vita nature and geopark, North Rhine-Westphalia. This entertaining loop trail at Porta Westfalica inspires with great views over the Wiehengebirge and the Weser Valley. The Wittekindsburg, the Kaiser Wilhelm monument visible from afar and the Margarethenklus (Wittekindskapelle) provide cultural and historical highlights. Highlights of the hike: - Wittekindsburg - Kaiser Wilhelm Monument - Margarethenklus - Kreuzkirche Wittekindsberg
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Frequently asked questions
What national parks in North Rhine-Westphalia have cave trails?
Hikers on AllTrails.com recommend several popular national parks in North Rhine-Westphalia. Eifel National Park is home to 16 cave trails with an average 4.0 star rating from 258 community reviews.
What is the longest trail with caves in North Rhine-Westphalia?
According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail with caves in North Rhine-Westphalia is Bergischer Panoramasteig (Fernwanderweg). This trail is estimated to be 151.4 mi long.
Which cave trail has the most elevation gain in North Rhine-Westphalia?
North Rhine-Westphalia: With an ascent of 27,460 ft, Bergischer Panoramasteig has the most elevation gain of all of the cave trails in the area. The next highest ascent for cave trails is Eifel-Höhen-Route (Radfernweg) with 13,369 ft of elevation gain.
What is the most popular and difficult trail with caves in North Rhine-Westphalia?
The most popular and difficult trail with caves in North Rhine-Westphalia is Herrmannsweg Stage 2: Riesenbeck - Tecklenburg with a 4.6-star rating from 60 reviews.
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