AhrSteig Stage 6: Walporzheim to Bad Neuenahr Mitte (15.7 km)

Before the actual start of the stage, it is worth visiting the historic old town of Ahrweiler as well as the Roemervilla museum and the government bunker documentation centre. From the entrance to the Heckenbachtal valley, the route then leads through shady riverside forests past the Calvarienberg monastery through the vineyards to the Lourdes Chapel. You walk past the Karlsberg viewpoint through the Neuenahr forest to the forest climbing park. The 3 km marked access path then takes you steeply downhill to Bad Neuenahr. Spacious parks and magnificent town villas come into view.

Current route information:

Stages 5 & 6: Diversion between Alfred-Dahm-Turm and Ahrweiler (as of 1/24)

In the Walporzheim area between Alfred-Dahm-Turm and Ahrweiler, the AhrSteig is being diverted due to construction work and flood damage. Please follow the diversion markings.

Map of the diversion route

Before the actual stage start, a visit to the historic old town of Ahrweiler, as well as the Roemervilla Museum and the Government Bunker documentation site, is worthwhile. Starting at the entrance to the Heckenbach Valley, the route begins through shaded riparian forests past the Calvarienberg Monastery, through the vineyards to the Lourdes Chapel. Past the Karlsberg viewpoint, one walks through the Neuenahr forest to the forest climbing park. Over the 3 km marked access path, it then goes steeply downhill to Bad Neuenahr. Spacious parks and magnificent town villas come into view.

Current route info:

Stages 5 & 6: Detour between Alfred-Dahm-Tower and Ahrweiler (Status 1/24)

In the Walporzheim area between Alfred-Dahm-Tower and Ahrweiler, the AhrSteig is detoured due to construction and flood damage. Please follow the detour markings. 

Map of detour route

From the temporary bridge in Walporzheim at the entrance to the Heckenbach Valley, we follow the path along the Heckenbach past the Heckenbach Chapel up to the Geisbachtal shelter. After a left turn, the path leads back towards the Ahr. Here, a detour to the Katzley viewpoint is worthwhile. Then it continues on to the Wingsbachtal parking lot at the Maibach Gorge.

The path now takes us past the former Ursuline convent into the vineyards above Bad Neuenahr. Gradually we gain elevation until we – now back in the forest – begin the descent into the valley of the Bachemer Bach, where near the end of the valley, the small Lourdes Chapel awaits the hiker.

After a quiet pause, we slowly conquer the ascent to the Karlskopf. Above Bachem, the view opens over the vineyards down to the lively twin town of Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler. But immediately we go back into the Bad Neuenahr forest. After a short descent, we reach the Paradise Meadow and the forest climbing park. Those looking for a special thrill can swing here 30 m high once across the meadow and back, hanging only in their own harness on the guide rope.

From the makeshift bridge in Walporzheim at the entrance to the Heckenbach valley, we follow the path along the Heckenbach past the Heckenbach chapel up to the Geisbachtal refuge. After a left-hand bend, the path leads back towards the Ahr. Here it is worth making a detour to the Katzley viewpoint. The route then continues to the Wingsbachtal car park at the Maibachklamm gorge.

The path now takes us past the former Ursuline convent and into the vineyards above Bad Neuenahr. We gradually gain altitude until we - now back in the forest - tackle the descent into the valley of the Bachemer Bach, where the small Lourdes Chapel awaits hikers almost at the end of the valley.

After a quiet stop for refreshments, we slowly conquer the ascent to the Karlskopf. Above Bachem, the view opens up over the vineyards down to the lively twin town of Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler. However, we soon enter the Bad Neuenahr forest again. After a short descent, we reach the Paradieswiese meadow and the forest climbing park. Those looking for a special thrill can swing across the meadow and back at a height of 30 metres, hanging from the guide rope in their own harness.