Special hiking trails in North Rhine-Westphalia

2.6 kilometers through clothing manufacturing history

Take a walk back in time in the region Die Bergischen Drei. The thematic walking route Spurensuche Tuchmacherstadt leads you 2.6 kilometres through the old town of Remscheid-Lennep. The almost round old town centre with 116 listed buildings was the setting for the medieval cloth factory. Learn about the life of the cloth weavers and the operation of looms and setting machines as you walk. Visit the textile museum for more detailed information. Even if you have little interest in the old craft, the route is recommended. It takes you through old alleys and across cosy squares past the most beautiful half-timbered houses and old buildings. Do you recognise the typical Bergisch slate houses?

^{Foto: Oude stad steegjes in Remscheid-Lennep © AR-shapefruit}

6 to 19 kilometers through Naturpark Schwalm-Nette

Some of the most beautiful hiking trails in North Rhine-Westphalia are located along the Lower Rhine. In the Naturpark Schwalm-Nette you can choose from hiking trails of 6 to 19 kilometers long. Nine of these trails have the 'Premiumwanderweg' certificate, which is only awarded to the best German trails. The trails are located through a very varied landscape. From marshes to heathlands and from lakes to forests. Take your bird, insect and plant guides and binoculars with you and marvel at how many different types of plants and animals live here. There are also old mills, castles and (country) houses scattered throughout the area. At 25 locations you can scan a QR code for more information about the beautiful view you have at that location.

^{Foto: Libelle in het Naturpark Schwalm-Nette © Naturpark Schwalm-Nette
Foto: Birgeler Urwald in het Naturpark Schwalm-Nette © Naturpark Schwalm-Nette
Foto: Galgenvenn in het Naturpark Schwalm-Nette © Naturpark Schwalm-Nette}

6.5 kilometers along oaks, lime trees and viewpoints

In the Bergisches Land lies the Boomweg , a 6.5 kilometre long hiking trail where you can learn more about… trees, indeed. From 8 information panels along the route you can learn about the medicinal properties of juniper and discover why lime trees often formed the heart of the village. To make the route fun for children, there are also riddles on the panels. From your starting point in Morsbach, you walk past two viewpoints. From the Morsbacher Skywalk, a viewing platform that extends up to five metres above the valley, you can look out over slopes with forests and meadows. Climb the 35-metre-high steel observation tower on the Hohe Hardt hill for an even wider view.

^{Foto: Skywalk Boomweg in het Bergisches Land © Holger Hage, Das Bergische}

21.2 kilometers on the Eifelsteig

The Eifelsteig is one of the most famous multi-day hiking trails in North Rhine-Westphalia. The entire route, which runs through the wooded and hilly Eifel, is 313 kilometers long. That is too ambitious for a day hike, but you can still get a taste of the atmosphere on one stage. For example, walk the 21.2 kilometer long stage 4 from starting point Einruhr through the Eifel National Park to the end point Gemünd. With the great variety of views, you will not be bored for a second along the way. Walk through vast forests to the beautiful water behind the Urft dam, one of the oldest dams in Germany. At a higher altitude you walk over the Dreiborner Plateau, from where you can look out over the Eifel like a bird. Also along the route is Vogelsang IP, a training location built by the Nazis, which is now a memorial site. If you have the time, you can take a guided tour and learn more about the history of this place while walking past Nazi architecture.

^{Foto: Vogelsang IP in de Eifel © Eifel Tourismus GmbH, Dennis Stratmann}

27 km walk around Lake Baldeney

The elongated Baldeneysee lies on the city limits of Essen. On the banks of the reservoir lies the 27-kilometre-long BaldeneySteig , a marked hiking trail along the most beautiful viewpoints. On the northern banks are hilly forest areas. In the south you walk alternately through forest and agricultural land with old farms. In the south you will also see remnants of the mining history. In total you cover 600 metres in altitude, which in combination with the length is a serious challenge. Are you already getting muscle pain just thinking about it? Good news: you can cover part of the route by public transport. Would you prefer an extra challenge? The route creators have set out four short circular hiking trails along the BaldeneySteig. They lead you to cultural highlights and viewpoints.

^{Foto: Wandelen op de BaldneySteig in Essen © Ralf Schultheiß-EMG}

About the promenade of Münster

You don't have to leave the city for a nice walk in the greenery. At least, not if you're in Münster. Around the old part of the city there is a car-free promenade where you can walk in peace. Where city walls used to stand, the path now lies under an old lime tree avenue. You can make your walking route as long as you want. Look around you carefully as you walk so you don't miss any sights. You walk along the Zwinger, a part of the old city wall. Not to be missed is the artwork Sketch for a Fountain. The New York artist Nicole Eisenman created the work with five naked statues lying and standing by a fountain for the Skulptur Projekte 2017. The unclear gender of the plaster and bronze statues, which are now permanently on display, polarized the visitors. Do your feet need a rest or can you simply not resist the coziness? Take a seat on one of the terraces along the path.

^{Foto: Fontijn Sketch for a Fountain © Münster Marketing, Dagmar Schwelle}

More hiking trails in North Rhine-Westphalia

Walking is not only a great way to discover new places in peace, but also very addictive. Covering short or long distances with a summer breeze and the smell of mown grass and summer forest and in the meantime reaching viewpoints that you can't reach by car. You can find more walking inspiration on this page . You can filter the walking routes by walking time and difficulty.

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 >