Along the Ahrtalweg

Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, Germany

Suddenly, it's quiet once again. The only sounds are the crackling of fallen leaves on the pavement. There is a light fog in the air, with the trees ablaze with gold, red and yellow.

What started as a quiet Sunday morning walk along the Ahrtalweg in Bad Neuenahr; was suddenly transformed when the town's two churches began ringing their bells, in an almost perfect German harmony, one after another. I watched as worshipers entered the Martin Luther Kirche (Church), and the bells finally stopped.

The Ahrtalweg is a long-distance walking trail that winds for about 50 miles (81 km) beginning in Blankenheim through the Ahr River valley. The route slopes down from Blankenheim to Schuld and from there it follows the Ahr River along its bank continuing to Sinzig before joining the Rhine. Along the way the route passes through the joint township of Bad Neuehahr-Arweiler. The two town centers are located a little over 1.2 miles apart (2km), with the Ahrtalweg being the primary walking/biking path between the two.

Fall Colors in the Oak trees along the Ahrtalweg

I didn't walk the entire length of trail, instead I just followed a short section of the trail from the old city gate of Ahrweiler to the eastern edge of Bad Neuenahr. While walking the trail, I explored several gardens, including a garden dedicated to the Dahlia, an archery range and many benches from which to just sit, to contemplate and watch as the people strolled by, enjoying the walk as I did.

Dahlia Garden

Along the way I visited the Dahlienweg Garden, and was mesmerized by display of dahlia's of all shapes, sizes and colors; white, yellow, orange, dark red, purple and mixtures of all colors.

Petals and Dew, Dahlienweg Garden.

Brilliant, Dahlienweg Garden.

By the Ahr River

This section of the trail is nicely paved walkway, dipping below roadways in short underground tunnels, with paved trails on both sides of the river through the main town area. There is a short distance near Ahrweiler where the trail shares the roadway. Often, I would find a park bench and sit and enjoy the cool weather, listen to the water in the river and greet passerby's.

Park Bench along the Ahr River

Archery Range at Kaiser-Wilhelm-Park near the Ahr River

As the path winds through the town area, I pass the Cape Diem Bakery (be sure to try the Cherry and almond cake, or the light Bavarian apple pie) and the Martin Luther Kirche, where the bells are ringing, and across the Ahr, the Spielbank Bad Neuenahr casino and Steigenberger Hotel

Carpe Diem Bakery and Martin Luther Kirche

All too soon and my walk was over, and I headed back to my hotel, Hotel Weyer, to prepare for other activities I had planned for the day. It was not my first walk along this relaxing path, and hopefully, not my last.

Planning a Return Visit

I've planned a third trip to Bad Neuenahr for the fall of 2017, where I plan to explore this trail again as well as one of the other trails in the area - the Rotwein Wanderweg (Red Wine Trail) - as well as explore the ruins of the Saffenburg Castle. The gently rolling hills of the Ahr River Valley is home to many picturesquely terraced vineyards, in a primarily red-wine growing region.

Images in the article were taken during two separate trips, in October 2015 and 2016.

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