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AhrSteig award-winning hiking trail
The diversity of the Ahr Valley up close
Sporty hiking with magnificent views on seven stages - this is how the AhrSteig could be characterised in just a few words. For on around 100 kilometres, nature lovers can experience everything that makes a hiker's heart beat faster: wide views over meadows and forests, idyllic valley meadows, lonely high plateaus, dramatic rocky peaks, alpine-looking paths and lively wine-growing villages. Castle ruins tower over steep vineyard terraces, narrow paths lead to summit crosses and viewing towers. Gracious hosts make your hiking break in the Ahr Valley perfect.
The highlights of the 7 AhrSteig stages
- Stage 1: Blankenheim - Freilinger See (11.3 km)
The Ahr has its source in the vaulted cellar of a pretty half-timbered house in Blankenheim. From here, you climb the Eifel heights with marvellous meadows, forests and far-reaching views.
- Stage 2: Freilinger See - Aremberg (11.7 km)
You climb up to the Peace Cross on the 534 metre high Hühnerberg via meadow paths. Here you can enjoy a panorama that stretches as far as the Nürburg Castle and the Ardennes.
- Stage 3: Aremberg - Insul (19.4 km)
You hike steeply uphill to the Arenberg castle ruins - the highest point of the AhrSteig at 623 metres. Around Schuld, you will pass spectacular cliffs and rugged sandstone walls on hidden paths.
- Stage 4: Insul - Kreuzberg (17.4 km)
Alternating heights and valleys: You run via Insul and Sierscheid to the 429 metre high Dümpelhardt plateau. Impressive: the wide view over the Ahrgebirge and the side valleys. From the Liersbachtal valley, the route leads to the 360-degree panorama on the Linder Höhe. The Ahr wine-growing region begins at Kreuzberg.
- Stage 5: Kreuzberg - Walporzheim (14.5 km)
The royal stage of the AhrSteig is adventurous, almost alpine. Accompanied by rocks, castles, water and wine, it leads through one of the most beautiful sections of the Ahr Valley. It starts with a rocky path with spectacular views through the Teufelsloch. Sure-footedness is also required on the ascent to the Schrockhütte. Here, hikers can expect a fascinating panoramic view across the Ahr valley to the Siebengebirge. The route continues past the Saffenburg castle and over the Krausberg to Walporzheim. The view over the vineyards is magnificent.
- Stage 6: Walporzheim - Bad Neuenahr (15.7 km)
From Walporzheim, the route first leads through shady alluvial forests and then through the Ahrweiler vineyards past the Monastery Calvarienberg. Further highlights await you around Bachem with the Lourdes Chapel and the Karlsberg. You reach Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler from the Paradieswiese via an access path.
- Stage 7: Bad Neuenahr - Sinzig (16 km)
The route takes you high up to the viewing tower on the Neuenahrer Berg. From here you can see as far as Cologne Cathedral. The XXL bench in Heimersheim and the panorama from the Ehlinger Ley also offer great photo opportunities. From the Feltenturm tower on the Mühlenberg, the destination comes into view: the Barbarossa town of Sinzig. Just a short detour away is the Ahr estuary nature reserve, where you can enjoy the view of the Rhine.
Discover the AhrSteig
All service topics, route changes, hosts, places and sights around the AhrSteig can be found in detail on the AhrSteig website. Here you will also find information about the AhrSteig hiking pass, the top viewpoints and hiking with luggage transfer.
