6 locations for your bucket list in North Rhine-Westphalia

1. The Arboretum in Wuppertal

In a forest on the edge of Wuppertal, a city in Die Bergischen Drei, lies an arboretum: the Burgholz Arboretum . This arboretum is the largest in Germany and contains trees from all over the world. No two trees are the same: thick or thin trunks, broad leaves or needles, high and narrow or low and wide. Follow this 6.5 kilometre long hiking trail to the arboretum. You walk over a former railway line and charcoal stacks that are reminiscent of the early charcoal burners' guild in Burgholz. The route not only leads through the arboretum, but also through green beech forest. A relaxing walk with views of wooded slopes and a photogenic bridge between the trees.

 

^{Foto: Arboretum Burgholz Wuppertal © Kai Marc Pel}

2. The Grugapark in Essen

Also near the city centre of Essen is a 60-hectare green park, the Grugapark . A large part of the park is a botanical garden, with also special types of trees and many flowers and shrubs. In spring and summer the flowers turn orange, pink, yellow and purple. Between the sometimes rare plants are large art installations, which together form the largest outdoor sculpture exhibition in Germany. In the rest of the park are green picnic meadows with barbecue areas, playground and a petting zoo. In the summer concerts and cabaret performances are given.

^{Foto: Grugapark Essen © Rupert Oberhäuser, Stadt Essen}

3. Naturforum Bislicher Insel

The Naturforum Bislicher Insel is located in one of the largest natural floodplains on the Rhine. The information centre is located on a peninsula in the Rhine, near the town of Xanten. Exhibitions help you to better understand the culture and nature of the area. For example, you can discover how the floodplains ensure that residents keep their feet dry. In the permanent exhibition "Auen Stories" you can get to know the animals that live in the floodplains. With all your new knowledge, you can take a walk through nature. Enjoy a picnic on a bench under a fruit tree while birds fly by. From the bird huts you can spot spoonbills, kingfishers and other unusual bird species. Or go on an excursion through the meadows and along the water with a local expert. Visit the beaver castles and - with a bit of luck - spot the rodent building.

^{Foto: Naturforum Bislicher Insel in Xanten © Tourismus NRW e.V.}

4. Rieselfelder in Münster

In the north of North Rhine-Westphalia, ten kilometres outside the centre of Münster, lies a 230-hectare nature reserve. The Rieselfelder used to be a purification area for wastewater from Münster. After such a plant was no longer needed, the Rieselfelder became a nature reserve. In the marshland with many lakes, nature is allowed to take its course. Nature is not completely free, because the photogenic cattle that graze there select which plants can and cannot grow large. Although the big city is not far away, you can walk here in peace. Take your bird guide or bird app with you and recognise as many (water) birds as possible in this EU-recognised bird reserve. Walk along the boardwalks or get on your bike for a longer route. Cycling is not tiring here, because the north of the province is relatively flat. Visit the large observation tower for a panoramic view over the fields.

^{Foto's: Rieselfelder Münster © Leo Thomas, Tourismus NRW e.V.}

5. Treetop path Panarbora in Waldbröl

For a unique perspective, walk between the treetops on the Baumwipfelpfad Panarbora in Waldbröl. The 1.6-kilometre-long wooden walkway is a maximum of 23 metres above the ground. Between the rustling treetops, you walk to a 40-metre-high observation tower, from where you have a panoramic view of forests, fields and villages in every direction. From the 34-metre-high viewing platform you also have a wide view of the Bergisches Land Nature Park, which the path is adjacent to. Walk past six information points that teach you more about the landscape in an interactive way. Panarbora also includes a maze, an adventure playground, a sensory path and a large restaurant with a terrace.

^{Foto: Boomkroonpad Panarbora in Waldbröl © Dominik Ketz}

6. The Eifel National Park

Last but not least: the only national park in North Rhine-Westphalia. More than 110 square kilometres of the Eifel have been protected since 2004 and have been going wild ever since. Here, the landscape is being given back to nature, which is allowed to take its own course. As a hiker, you can enjoy unspoilt landscapes, while thousands of endangered plant and animal species find a safe home here. You might see a black stork flying over or find tracks of the very shy wild cats. They can hide perfectly on the vast (coniferous) forests on the slopes of hills. Hikers often have the panoramic viewpoints and long forest paths all to themselves. The best way to get to know the area is on a free excursion with a ranger who is like a walking nature encyclopaedia. 

^{Foto: Nationaal Park Eifel © Nationalpark Eifel, Dominik Ketz}

More nature parks in North Rhine-Westphalia

More beautiful nature near the Dutch border can be found on this inspiration page . Here you will find high rock formations, caves, lakes and fields full of special flora and fauna. Put on sturdy walking shoes and fill your backpack with a picnic and plenty of water. Don't forget your sunscreen, sunglasses and cap and on chilly days take a few extra layers of clothing. Bird lovers take binoculars with them to spot woodpeckers, harriers and other birds flying over. 

This article was written in collaboration with DeinNRW. Want more travel inspiration for your stay in North Rhine-Westphalia? Visit the website for more information >