EifelSpur Where the Ahr originates (Municipality of Blankenheim)

Quality hiking trail Wanderbares Deutschland: On narrow paths, you hike through the Upper Ahr Nature Reserve and can enjoy the unique landscape. The soothing scent of the forest and wild herb meadows, as well as the babbling of the streams, will enchant you so that you feel connected to nature. In the early morning, you can enjoy a breathtaking sunrise at the numerous viewpoints along the route.

The town of Blankenheim is well known beyond the state borders as the source of the Ahr. In the cellar of a half-timbered house from 1726, the Ahr springs with a flow rate of twelve liters per second. The spring chamber is visible from the outside. From here, the Ahr flows through Blankenheim via a masonry channel under the Blankenheim Castle and runs through the romantic Ahr Valley. It finally empties after 89 kilometers near Sinzig into the Rhine.

On the hike, you will find varied nature paired with half-timbered idyll and Eifel culture in Blankenheim.

You leave Blankenheim heading south and walk around the Swan Pond before turning right after about 1.5 kilometers onto Lörenbusch along a narrow path. The path winds for about six kilometers over forest roads and narrow trails through dense forest and past the Reetzer Mill. After crossing the B258 over a bridge, you reach a rest area. You leave this on your left and immediately after turn sharply right into a woodland, cross the K43, and follow the right path for about 2.5 kilometers. You reach a junction and turn right onto the Eifelsteig. The path runs steeply downhill and uphill for about three kilometers through a woodland before you return to Blankenheim across wide meadows. Follow Nonnenbacher Weg to the right and after about 100 meters turn left onto Lühbergstraße, which leads you back to your starting point.