Hiking Germany Rotweinwanderweg

Germany

Four day walks of this "red wine trail" along the Ahr-river, Eifel area, Germany

A hiking trail through the romantic valley of the Ahr-river, between Ahrweiler and Insul: two sections along the left bank and two sections back along the right bank of the river. 83 km in total.The Ahr-river originates in Blankenheim and flows into the Rhine near Sinzig, south of Bonn. We made use of some very well marked trails: the Rotweinwanderweg, The Ahrweg, the Ahrsteig and the Karl Kaufmanweg. A relaxing hike. On the second day a 220 m "climb". Sometimes on height, sometimes in the valley, right next to the river.....
Advice: the walking area is easy to get in by car (the autobahn to Cologne and Bonn). Or take the train to Cologne-Remagen-Bad Neuenahr/Ahrweiler. You also can fly to Bonn and then by public transport to the start of our hike: about 35 km.
Accommodation: hotels in the villages on trail. We made use of the services of Via Soluna (hotel booking, baggage transport....).
Map: "Das Ahrtal, zwischen Schuld und Sinzig am Rhein", scale 1:25.000, publ. Eifelverein.

Indication of height: till about 350 m.

May 2017: four sections of the trail along the Ahr river.

Day 1: Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweier - Altenahr..................22 km
The Rotweinwanderweg
Day 2: Altenahr - Insul....................................................18 km
Most of the time the Karl Kaufmanweg
Day 3: Insul - Altenahr.....................................................19 km
a.o. The Ahrsteig
Day 4: Altenahr - Ahrweiler............................................20 km
a.o. The Ahrweg
You easy can make your own routes: plenty of way-marked trails.

On trail: a very diverse landscape: along a river, through vineyards, forests, meadows, open fields. The typical German wine villages. Some ruins, castles and monasteries. Or Ahrweiler with its old town center. Impressive rock formations. With a bit of luck you can admire the kingfisher or the grass snake.....

With a good map you can make your own trail: plenty of possibilities: higher, lower, a bypass.....whatever you wish.
In september and october there are many wine festivals (if you like that).

The most important grape variety grown here is Spätburgunder. Mayschoss is the oldest wine cooperative in Germany. We don't advise it while walking, but there are many wine tasting possibilities aloso.
Walking during the-wine-festival-days doesn't seem to be a success either. It would be very busy, some parts of the trails can be closed. Spring or summer is better.

Moreover: The region is very suitable for nice cycling tours.
Between Ahrweiler and Ahrbrück runs a train, for you and your bicycle too.

Read more about this trail along the Ahr river and the Ahr valley, Germany

Below a video about a walk between Mayschoß and Altenahr, a small part of the "red wine trail".