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Top vantage points in the Ahr valley
Special views to dream of
Narrow, wide, green, rocky, quiet, lively ... there are no contrasts in the Ahr Valley. Located right on the doorstep of Bonn and Cologne, the small valley is characterised by rugged cliffs, steep vineyard slopes, dense forests and wide meadows. The Ahr Valley also offers numerous special places that invite you to dream and fall in love with their views. From some vantage points, you can even see the spires of Cologne Cathedral or the grandstands of the Nürburgring in good weather. Marvellous!
Hühnerberg near Lommersdorf
This vantage point (533 metres above sea level) offers views of the Ahrgebirge mountains and the Upper Ahr Valley nature experience area. In good weather, you can even see the grandstands of the Nürburgring. A few kilometres from the Hühnerberg, the Freilinger See lake and the historic village of Blankenheim, where the river Ahr, which gives the valley its name, originates, lie between forests and meadows.
Dümpelhardt near Sierscheid
The Dümpelhardt lies 426 metres above Sierscheid and offers a fabulous panoramic view over the meadows and forests of the Eifel and down into the upper Ahr valley. From here you can even see the Hohe Acht, the highest mountain in the Eifel. A panoramic trail around the Dümpelhardt presents the diversity and beauty of the Ahrgebirge. Always in view: the striking Nürburg Castle. The circular trail is just under three kilometres long and is easy to walk. The starting point is at the wayside cross above the Maternus Chapel in Sierscheid.
The view of the Nürburg Castle is particularly impressive. From the mountain ridge with its barren heathland, dwarf shrubs and junipers, the panorama stretches far into the Eifel.
Devil's Hole near Altenahr
If you look towards the Ahr Mountains from the banks of the Ahr in Altenahr or from Are Castle opposite, you will recognise a small gap in a rock - the Teufelsloch. A popular photo motif and popular hiking destination, which can be reached via an alpine-style rocky path: The Devil's Hole is one of the top sights on the Middle Ahr.
As spectacular as the Devil's Hole characterises the landscape, the legend surrounding its creation is just as spectacular. Once upon a time, the devil visited the Ahr valley and took such a liking to the land and its people, but above all to the excellent red wine, that he never wanted to return home. Then one day, as he was resting on the mountain opposite Are Castle, his grandmother approached him in the guise of a beautiful maiden. In the arms of the enamoured devil, she quickly transformed back into the unruly woman he knew all too well. Enraged, he grabbed the grandmother and hurled her down the rock face into hell. This is how the Devil's Hole was created, which can still be seen today above Altenahr.
The Devil's Hole can be reached via the narrow "ghost path" behind the former railway tracks in the direction of Altenburg.
Are Castle in Altenahr
Towering above the wine village of Altenahr and visible from afar are the mighty remains of the walls. As stone witnesses to history, they tell the story of Are Castle, which was built around 1100 as the ancestral seat of the Counts of Are. The building site was well chosen at the time: The castle with its palace, outer bailey and its own well was difficult to reach due to the steep slopes all around and offered the lords of the manor a good all-round view to recognise enemies in good time. Today, visitors can enjoy the sweeping views towards Altenahr with Kreuzberg Castle in the background, the rocky massifs in the Langfigtal valley and the vineyards at Altenahrer Eck.
Hiking tip: Rotweinwanderweg trail
Saffenburg castle ruins in Mayschoß
The view from the castle plateau over Mayschoß is unique. From here you can enjoy a special view of the wine village, the wild and romantic Ahrbogen with its steep vineyard terraces and the Mayschosser Mönchberg site with the church and the old monastery. It is not without reason that the panorama from Saffenburg Castle was voted the "Most Beautiful Wine View of the Ahr" in 2020. The Rotweinwanderweg hiking trail greets you from opposite.
Saffenburg Castle can be reached from the railway station in Mayschoss via the Ahr Valley Trail A1.
Hiking tip: Around the Saffenburg castle
Krausberg in Dernau
High on the Krausberg, which towers above the wine village of Dernau, the stone observation tower stretches into the sky. A broad panorama over the Ahr valley rewards the climb. On a clear day, the cities of Cologne and Bonn can be seen in the distance on the horizon. On a clear day, you can even see Cologne Cathedral. The observation tower was inaugurated in March 1927 and the first mountain hut on the Krausberg in 1928. The tower and hut were built by the association itself.
The ascent leads from the Ahr bridge on the main road, first along a tarmac road and then along a winding forest path up to the Krausberg.
Hiking tip: Dernau summit tour
Bunte Kuh near Walporzheim
The "Bunte Kuh" viewpoint above Walporzheim can be reached via the Rotweinwanderweg trail or the Bad Neuenahr circular tour no. 2. It offers a sweeping view over the valley with rocky gorges, vineyards and quiet forest paths.
It is named after one of the most famous rock formations in the Ahr Valley, which juts out into the river valley on a steep face near the village of Walporzheim. Its name is not due to its shape: the "Bunte Kuh" is not actually a natural wonder, but the result of a slate rock that broke off during a road construction blast in the 19th century.
However, the name itself is far older than the rocky outcrop and supposedly goes back to robber barons who had an apparition of God while on the run. In reality, however, they only saw a colourful cow, which they then brought around the corner out of annoyance. A second explanation attributes the name to French soldiers who were so fond of Ahr wine that they constantly shouted: "C'est bon de gout!" (It's good!). (Tastes good!). The locals only understood the name and made it "Bunte Kuh".
Hiking tip: Round tour no. 2 - Great Walporzheim circuit
Neuenahrer Berg in Bad Neuenahr
With its 340 metre high volcanic peak, the Neuenahrer Berg is Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler's local mountain. On its summit are the ruins of Neuenahr Castle and a viewing tower. The tower is popularly known as the "long Köbes" and can be climbed at any time. The panorama from the viewing platform extends over the district town, the Ahr valley, the county and the hills of the Siebengebirge. On a clear day, you can even see Cologne Cathedral.
Landskrone castle ruins near Heppingen
The rocky hilltop, visible from afar, is located between Gimmigen, Heppingen, Heimersheim and Lohrsdorf. Landskron Castle was built by King Philip of Swabia in 1204/1208 and served as a fortification for the imperial territory around Sinzig and Remagen at the time. Today, only fragments of the ruins can still be recognised. The steep climb is rewarded with a sweeping view over the Ahr valley and Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler.
Hiking tip: Bad Neuenahr circular tour no. 8
Felt tower in Sinzig
From the eleven metre high tower on the Mühlenberg near Sinzig, you can enjoy a fantastic view of the Rhine Valley, Ahr Valley, Hellenbach Valley and Harbach Valley as well as the town of Sinzig. Next to the Feltenturm is the Cäciliahütte, which invites you to take a short break for body and soul.
