Vineyards and small town treasures

The Eifel region is known for its variety in scenery and culinary surprises. The remains of volcanic eruptions left fertile land behind, and with the Romans came the vineyards. The Ahr valley wines (especially the dry Pinot Noir) are awesome. 

Small timber frame villages specialise in different things. There are wool products or fine mustard or delicious Printen (similar to gingerbread) and many other crafts, ready to be acquired by the so inclined tourist.

Bad Münstereifel

Rheinbach & Tomburg ruin

We never get tired to explore our newfound backyard. 

Winter for a day

Ok, weather had been cold and nasty for a while now but until last week we never got white stuff that stuck around for more than a few hours. Finally we could go on a real winter walk! Even hubby seemed eager to play outside. First we strolled along the river that is the valley's name giver, then we followed the trail into the forest. While gaining elevation the snow got deeper and powdery. And we had this winter wonderland all to ourselves. The path went along the hill crest before leading us downhill again towards the city core. Of course we had to stop at a recently reopened family owned bakery in order to gather some goodies for a well deserved coffee break. Life is good!

The Redwine trail - a walk above river Ahr

The region of Ahr valley is known for excellent red wines, and 50 years ago the so called red wine trail was born in order to promote tourism. The 36 km long trail leads mostly through vineyards and can be done in day, however short winter days demand for a different solution. Thanks to working infrastructure it was easy to manage a split into three sections.

At the trailhead in Bad Bodendorf the trail meets history. The medieval military and trading route from Aachen to Frankfurt had been leading through this village.

The winding path was meandering through the hills, passing orchards and vineyards while offering several views into the valley and beyond into the volcanic mountain range of the Eifel region.

View towards Rhine valley

Bad Neuenahr

Then the trail followed a former railroad track. Its construction had begun in 1910 but due to WWI never got finished. Remains are still to be found, and the tunnels were used as subterranean production sites for the rocket V2 in WWII. During the cold war the tunnels found yet another purpose as crisis bunker for our constitutional organs, which was held top secret for many decades. Today it's a museum, but it was closed at the time I came by.

Ahrweiler

Former abbey Calvarienberg (17th century)

Terrain and weather was getting rougher but the view got more spectacular as I followed river Ahr further upstream.

Above Dernau

The path of destruction of the flooding disaster can still be seen, even from high above. Medival bridges wrecked, timber frame houses washed away, and not to forget 134 lives lost and 2 still missing in the devastating flooding of July 2021.

View on Rech

Castle Sassenburg

Mayschoß

Castle Are

Altenburg

Altenahr

Devil's hole

I had mostly been on my own now that it's wintertime, but it will be interesting to see the turn of the seasons during spring or fall even though I might have to share the trail with other hikers.