The birth of a new trail

A hiking buddy of mine had rallied for a 50k hike around his hometown for quite a while, he planned the route, hiked, checked and changed it several times and found supporters testing the outlined trail. It's still a long while to have it equipped with way markers and signs thanks to German bureaucracy but the gps track and a flyer can already be found on the city's website.

I found a time slot and planned two days for the themed trail which intends to combine cultural and historical tidbits as well as two natural reserves. 

Day 1:

Starting point (and finish line) is the Fishing museum in Bergheim at the confluence of the rivers Sieg and Rhine. From there one crosses fields and farmland, passing an old Jewish cemetery, a tiny chapel, walking through the town of Spich and entering the Wahner heathlands, a former military area turned nature reserve. 

Lake Mondorf

Mmmm.

Warning signs remind you to stay on the marked path because the military use in the past century has heavily contaminated the ground, and there might still be explosives around. On the plus side nature has reconquered the area, and it looks beautiful and wild.

Beergarden in the rain.

Don't enter the red zone!

Do horses drink beer, too?

Day 2:

A big part of the track leads through this reserve until one gets down to the river Agger. I follow it downstream until it empties into the river Sieg. 

Juniper heath

tank wash road

River Agger

The path leads through the Sieg flood plains which is another pretty nature reserve (and likely flooded during heavy rainfalls, hence an alternative route has been worked out as an option). On arrival at the fishing museum I am welcomed by the trail master and my hubby with Hilda.

Lake Sieglar

Sieg flowing into Rhine

Life's good!

Along the river

Due to my mom's special needs I haven't had a lot of free time lately but I still managed to get out for a hike in order to get my head cleared.

The trailhead starts in Leichlingen, a small town on the countryside between Cologne and Dusseldorf. I used to live and work here for around six years before venturing out to Canada.

Leichlingen

Not much has changed here, traffic management is a bit different (more roundabouts), there is a new footbridge over the river Wupper, a few new houses and the place where I used to work is now in private hands.

Eicherhof, my former workplace

Today the trail will lead me along the river, and over the hills. The weather could be better, but hey, it's typical winter weather in Germany with rain and temperatures around 3°C.

View on Leichlingen

River Wupper

The saturated wet ground made for a slippery and muddy hike. I came along "Haus Fähr", in summer a popular beer garden on the riverbanks. The same goes for the "Wupperhof". Both timber frame houses had been inns and ferry stations before bridges over the river were built.

Haus Fähr

Wupperhof

As I walk towards the Sengbach reservoir, the ever so present drizzle turned into rain and hail. The dam had been built in 1903 and is one of the oldest reservoirs in Germany.

Sengbach réservoir

A few clicks later I arrive at Burg, yet another - typical for the region - timber frame village with a castle on top. Due to weather conditions and dwindling light I pressed on and arrived at the train station just in time for my ride home.

Burg with castle on top

Unterburg

Wishing you a festive season!