The 5 Best Hiking Trails for Culture History Art {Reader's Travel Tip}

Many hiking areas not only invite you to slow down, but are also culturally and historically a pleasure. An overview.

1. Lower Moselle: Decelerate and time travel while hiking

Anyone looking for a historical hike is in the right place in Alken. As a historical journey through time, the place not only offers the opportunity to visit different stations in history from the Stone Age to the Middle Ages, but also touches three high-quality hiking trails: The Moselsteig, which leads along the entire Moselle and changes the banks of the Moselle, the dream path Bleidenberger views (12,8 KM) and the slightly less demanding time travel hiking trail (8 KM), which I decided on. In addition, the autumnal Moselle landscape with colorful foliage, dreamy vineyards, rugged rock formations and the sun, which was gently setting over the Moselle in a veil of clouds, showed its most beautiful and colorful side.

The steep climb through great scenery

My hike starts in Oberfell at the cultural center "Altes Pfarrhaus" in the middle of the winding historic center. This is perhaps the only drawback that I have to suspend on this tour: Oberfell and Alken are only with a bus that runs on the weekend in the two-hour intervals, connected to the train. Alternatively, you can take the train to Kobern-Gondor, Löf or Hatzenport and walk from there.

Be that as it may, my hiking trail follows the tiny district road into the deeply indented, wild valley of the Oberfeller Bach and is I aufmerksam, so as not to miss the junction at the Kneipp pool. A small Way of the Cross leads up to the mesa-like Bleidenberg to the Freedom Temple rest hut. The route takes a sharp bend and always follows the edge of the mountain plateau once around the Bleidenberg. The Ascent is extremely steep and sweaty, so you should have a certain level of fitness for this path, which is described as easy.

Historic places invite you to relax

Passing the reconstruction of a Celtic post slit wall (which once bordered the whole mountain), you reach the panorama path opposite the imposing Thuant Castle, where a fantastic view of the castle, the Alken deep below, the Moselle opens up at Löf and Brodenbach. Here, too, there is a bench and an information board on the history of the castle - an ideal resting place! The Bleidenberg itself embodies - like hardly any other place on the Lower Moselle - all epochs of human history: From prehistory and early history (Homo erectus) to the Celtic oppidum, the center of the siege of Thurant Castle (1247-48), to one still intact pilgrimage site today.

Few steps Later you stand in front of the gates of the really beautiful, idyllic pilgrimage church on the Bleidenberg, from which a lot of the historical building fabric has been preserved, which is particularly noticeable when entering the church. Built around 1.200 by the Welf Heinrich I. following a crusade, it came into possession of both the Electorate of Trier and Electorate of Cologne just over 50 years later. If the interior of the Trinity Church is open, you can take a look at the statue of Mary venerated there. The vantage point at the pilgrimage church offers a particularly beautiful view of the double castle of Thurant. A little concentration is called for when tackling the steep descent over the "Seven Foot Falls". The sign with the inscription "Via Ferrata" misleads about the actual claims clear away, although the path can be quite uncomfortable when wet. Passing the Way of the Cross chapels, it descends through steep vineyards to Alken and St. Michael's Church. Quasi am Objective The arduous ascent to Thurant Castle, which I have postponed to another day, is now waiting.

Hiking: It is even more difficult

Who has more condition, can go to the dream path Bleidenberger views. This tour also starts at the church in Oberfell. After climbing up a vine-covered slope, there are great views of the Moselle. Going further uphill, you will find wonderful panoramic views of the Vordereifel.

Through green forests and blooming meadows, the hiker arrives at the hut on the Dickenberg, which invites you to take a leisurely rest with the best view. After a few kilometers over soft meadow paths, the path crosses the K71 and reaches the unspoilt valley of the Alkener Bach. The geological history of the region comes to life in deep canyons and old quarries. Along the murmuring Alkener Bach, past the imposing Helmutseiche, you reach an easy ascent through beautiful mixed forest, which is rewarded with impressive views. A narrow path leads over a cliff to the historic St. Michaelskirche and to Alken. Walking through the venerable city gate, the hiker arrives at the “Seven Footfalls Via Ferrata”, which leads him up the vine-covered slopes of the Moselle and to Thurant Castle.

It doesn't matter whether the hikes start in Alken or Oberfell Significance, entrances are possible in both places. However, it is important to plan the return trip by bus or boat and to find out about the departure times in advance, as the buses do not run as regularly as you are used to from the trains.

2. Hiking and pilgrimage in Burgundy

Just get away and relax - that's what many job-stressed people wish for. Hape Kerkeling was drawn to the Way of St. James precisely for this purpose. If you want to do the same, you don't have to go to Spain travel, because there is the Way of St. James and places of pilgrimage including accommodation in Burgundy, for example.

Culture and history in Auxerre and Irancy

Burgundy is one of the most historically significant regions of France: Here, in Alesia, the Romans sealed the fate of free Gaul, later Cluny was born here and Bernard of Clairvaux called for a crusade. In addition, Burgundy is known for its wines and good food, so made for a pilgrimage with exciting cultural impressions.

Our hike starts in the small town of Auxerre with 35.000 inhabitants: Auxerre also has a very well located pilgrims' hostel a bit out of the way, where you can conveniently stay in quadruple rooms during a hike, but we stay at Hotel Le Maxime right on the river and take us the time to discover the sights of the city:

Saint-Germain Abbey, for example, an old Benedictine abbey founded in the 5th century by Saint Germain d'Auxerre with one of his pupils Saturnin. Or the Saint-Etienne cathedral, which was built between the 13th and 16th centuries with its bell tower. Finally, the half-timbered houses in the city center are also worth seeing. You can eat very well in the very good star restaurant Le Rendez-vous.

Pilgrimage in Burgundy

And then our pilgrimage begins: It leads through the Vallée de l'Yonne out of the city. The path crosses the vineyards of Auxerrois, which are criss-crossed by cherry trees, then ascend like the vine-covered hills and go up and down slightly for a while. However, the hike is never really exhausting and therefore recommended for the inexperienced. Finally we reach the small wine village Irancy with houses from the 17. Century and visit the winery Christophe Ferrari. Irancy is also the birthplace of the architect Soufflot Pantheon, after which also the only very good restaurant in the village is named.

Our next stop is Cravant, a medieval village located at the confluence of the Cure and Yonne rivers, a former important port for the rafting of the Morvan wood. A few kilometers further through the Cure valley we hike to Arcy-sur-Cure. Here we have a great view of the cliffs where the famous prehistoric caves of Arcy are located. From Arcy, the path descends a few kilometers from the river to cross the village of St-Moré and the Cora hill, which has also unearthed prehistoric finds. We meet again at the Cure in Asquins, where Aimeri Picaud wrote the first pilgrim guide.

Pilgrimage site and UNESCO World Heritage Site Vézelay

Pilgrims traditionally gather in front of the relic bust of the Saint Jacques forest to climb the “eternal hill” of Vézelay, which has been an essential stage on the way to Santiago de Compostela since the eleventh century and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This way you also pass the cross where Bernhard von Clairvaux once called for the crusade and the first Franciscan monastery in France.

The Way of St. James to Vézelay connects to the Way of St. James that leads within Germany from Cologne through the Eifel to Trier. It takes you through the Moselle valley to Lorraine, further via Champagne, Burgundy and Chablis to the Basilica of St. Mary Magdalene in Vézelay. The classic route of the Via Lemovicensis to St. Jean Pied de Port then begins in Vézelay. In Vézelay we stay at the Hotel de la Poste & Du Lion d'Or with a rather luxurious ambience and very good food. Of course, there is also a simple pilgrim hostel here. So we have time to explore this important place of Christianity comprehensively, which is also a popular destination today. The climb to basilica is for some People almost a ritual experience. According to legend, the Romanesque cathedral contains bone pieces of the eponymous Maria Magdalena as a relic.

Decelerating nature and wine on “holy” ground

Beautiful parks adjoin the cathedral, offering a fantastic panoramic view of the Morvan and its vineyard. Many artists and writers have also found inspiration here over the centuries, and the plaques on the houses still tell of them. Whether spiritual, literary or poetic, pilgrims here definitely breathe the spirit of the Romanesque Art a. A detour to the La Croix Montjoie winery is recommended. Ten years ago, the still young owners made a conscious decision in favor of the fertile soil of Vézelay and built a modern business here, which also attracts many tourists customers attracts.

Then it's on to an excellent meal in the Hotel les Deux Ponts restaurant - not without first catching a glimpse of the picturesque stone bridge over the Morvan. The destination of our trip is the small town of Avallon, which also offers some exciting sights such as the Costume Museum, the Marche Couvert or the Church of St. Lazarus. Here we spend the night in the Hotel Hotel Relais Fleuri before we take the train back to Germany via Paris.

If you want to complete your pilgrimage as comfortably as we do, you can contact the Richoux Voyages agency in Auxerre. Pilgrimages lasting several days, including luggage transport and accommodation, are organized there - from 399 euros. If you prefer to organize your own accommodation in hotels and hostels, we recommend the Fernwege.de hotel directory, which is subject to a fee and lists hotels and hostels along the Way of St. James.

3. UNESCO World Heritage Island Reichenau and Hegau: Paddling with sight seeing

As a historian of the early Middle Ages, the island of Reichenau, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was exciting for me. I found it even more exciting to explore the island by kayak – also one, by the way Idea my guide Günter Andres, who is also very competent in terms of content, a former teacher.

Paddling at your own risk

If you want to explore the island on your own, however, the kayak rental should choose very carefully, as there is balance of economic, environmental and social aspects.

There is actually something meditative about paddling on the calm lake. You have them here Choice between different tours, e.g. across the lake to the island of love or once around the Reichenau, whereby you can always get off in between and visit three medieval churches.

3 churches in the salad bed

Someone has the island of Reichenau once as three churches in the salad garden and I found that very fitting. The most well-known church is St. Georg. It was founded by Abbot Hatto III. End of the 9. Century built. Hatto, who had traveled to Rome with King Arnulf to crown his coronation with Xnumx, received there from Pope Formosus the head of St. Georg. He had the relic brought to the Reichenau, where it found its place in the crypt of the newly established church. With today's construction are still large parts of the original basilica.

8 large, more than 4 meter wide and 2 meter high murals in the nave show Jesus' miracles and illustrate the power of Jesus over the forces of nature, diseases, life and death. The murals were created at the end of the 10. Century. They are thus among the earliest testimonies of their kind north of the Alps and are closely related to the resulting in Reichenau scriptorium book illumination, which also reached its peak at 1000.

Insider tip Hegau

The region and its islands with small harbors, the Hegau volcanoes and picturesque places can be discovered on relaxing tours by canoe, solar ferry or ship. Relaxing bird watching is possible in the nature reserve.

Every year from spring, many private individuals open their garden gates and receive interested visitors in their refuges. And also for culinary is taken care of, highly recommended is, for example, the restaurant Strandhotel Löchnerhaus.

Overnight stay and culinary delights

An insider tip for a beautiful view is the Viva Sky Hotel in the center. Unfortunately, the roof terrace of the three-star hotel with a great view over the old town is reserved for hotel guests only.

You can eat well in the Steigenberger Inselhotel, in the Moorish hall of the Halm Hotel with Morocan cuisine or in the “ess ​​| bar ”, where the menu is compiled anew every day from the ingredients that were freshly bought in the morning.

4. Cultural hiking in the Lahn valley

Already when I was planning my hiking tour on the 16th stage of the Lahnwanderweg, I was warned: The route from Diez to Balduinstein is only 6 km and could easily be an after-work hike if it weren't for two more or less steep inclines of approx. 290 M to overcome.

Medieval cityscape with half-timbered houses

Fittingly, the hike begins in Diez, whose townscape is dominated by picturesque half-timbered houses and the high medieval count's castle, the oldest parts of which date from the 11th century - a lesson in perseverance and long-lasting success, so to speak.

My first obstacle is to find the entrance to the Lahn hiking trail and without the advice from the local boat rental company Buch I would have overlooked the narrow stairs. The GPS led me astray several times at this point. The Lahnwanderweg leads out of the city on a pleasantly shady forest path towards Fachingen. A viewing pavilion towers high above with a beautiful view of the place, which everyone immediately associates with water. The healing water spring was discovered in 1740 and has been sold internationally ever since. At this nice and quiet resting place, which I have all to myself, I linger a little and get ready for the next stage of my journey.

Downhill and uphill - like in life

There are stairs down to the train station. Next to the Lahn you hike to the Fachinger base gallery. And then, almost at the bottom, the second ascent begins. In serpentines it is quite steep uphill, sometimes you almost have to climb. But you have plenty of opportunity to reflect on your own thoughts, because even on the holiday you hardly meet anyone up here. That only changes with the Franzosenley, a lookout pavilion directly above the Lahn, which shows the proximity to Balduinstein with its picturesque castle ruins.

Balduinstein Castle was built in 1319. The outer walls, which are up to 1,60 m thick, are still partially preserved. The foundation walls of the three-storey residential building are still standing. In the southwest corner of the castle, remains of a small tower have been preserved. Typical of the castles of the late Middle Ages, Balduinstein Castle also lacks a keep. A beautiful, quiet and pleasant place that invites you to linger and relax.

Accessibility and food on the go

The Lahntal is a real insider tip for me: even on public holidays there is not much going on here on the Lahnwanderweg, down by the river it is mainly the cyclists who romp around. Diez inspired me with its old town, it invites you to stroll and stop. The medieval collegiate church with the elaborately designed tomb of Princess Amalie von Diez-Nassau lies below the Count's Castle. Of course, there are plenty of opportunities to strengthen yourself in one of the restaurants before the tour. My choice fell on the Nassauer Hof on the Alter Markt in Diez: a good one selection of German and Armenian dishes, exciting vegetarian cuisine which you should not necessarily expect. In addition, there is a beautiful terrace by the fountain, excellent service, card payment is possible and I was even able to charge my mobile phone. But there are also a few restaurants in Balduinstein.

The big advantage of the Lahn valley for me is the quick accessibility with the ICE from Frankfurt or Cologne to the ICE train station Limburg Süd, from here you can continue by bus to Limburg or directly to Diez. The quick accessibility makes the region a good destination for day trips if you don't want to stay overnight. A small warning: if you are leaving Limburg: the bus stop at the main train station is a little difficult to find.

5. The Malerweg in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains

good for hikes, Teambuilding- and group activities of all kinds are suitable for the Elbe Sandstone Mountains south-east of Dresden. These include, for example, hiking, climbing, canoeing and boat trips on the Elbe or visiting one of the numerous castles such as Hohenstein Castle.

Hiking on 112 km

The Elbe Sandstone Mountains painter's path unites nature, hiking and art in a unique way with its historical route. The origin of the circular hiking trail goes back to the 18th century, when the Elbe Sandstone Mountains came into fashion as a wildly romantic travel destination. In 2006 the Elbe Sandstone Mountains Malerweg was reconstructed and re-signposted on the basis of historical travel guides and works of art. Since 2012, display boards with historical landscape art at the very places where it was created have conveyed a feeling for the art-historical importance of the region.

Today, the Elbe Sandstone Mountains Painter's Trail runs 112 kilometers along the most beautiful points in the region. In contrast to the past, today's hiker will find consistent, well-developed signage ways and a dense network of hiker-friendly rest areas, places to stop and spend the night. When designing the "new" Malerweg, the Saxon Switzerland Tourism Association closely followed the criteria for quality hiking trails of the German Hiking Association.

Accommodation & cuisine

Parkhotel Ambiente, part of the Ringhotel, is located in Hohenstein, directly on the Malerweg in the Saxon Switzerland Nature Park, a historic hiking trail. It has 49 simply furnished but functional rooms and two meeting rooms with a capacity of 90 and 50 people respectively. The 4-star hotel sees itself as a hiking hotel on the wayside without excessive luxury and has, for example, a barbecue area for cozy gatherings in the garden.

For this reason it is perfect for small meetings with activities in the area. This also applies to the food, which fully satisfies good average without any special culinary demands. It also has two saunas and various massage rooms. Its purpose as a hiking and Meeting-Hotel without any special frills fulfills it fully

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