The mighty red sandstone rocks in the Rur valley are our constant companions on the route through the Rur valley. They were formed around 500,000 years ago, and the rocks owe their intense red color to the iron oxide bound in the rock. This developed as a result of the hot desert climate, when long periods of drought were followed by rare but heavy rainfall.

The trail runs mainly along narrow forest and rocky paths and in many places offers breathtaking views of the Rur valley and across the Rur Eifel. On the way, we pass the forest chapel and the Eifel view above the Obermaubach reservoir, the Hindenburgtor, the Christenenley and the historic town center and castle of Nideggen. It is worth making a stop here to discover the castle and the castle museum. The rectangular hilltop castle was once the seat of the Counts and Dukes of Jülich and was considered impregnable in the Middle Ages. From the west tower, we again enjoy an Eifel view over the Rur valley and the northern part of the Eifel National Park. The half-timbered village of Abenden is the destination of our hike.

Route description

From the Rurtalbahn stop at the Obermaubach reservoir, we first follow the Eifelverein's hiking trail 07 (Felspassage), which leads along the railroad in a northerly direction. The path winds uphill in serpentines until we reach the signposts for the red sandstone route at the last hairpin bend. We follow this signposted hiking trail in the direction of Heimbach for the next few kilometers until we reach the historic town center of Nideggen. A first stop is worthwhile at the forest chapel above Obermaubach. From the Eifel view of the same name, you have a beautiful view of the reservoir. After around 4 kilometers, we turn off the wide path onto a narrow, rather steeply ascending rocky path. From here, the hiking trail to Nideggen runs almost exclusively on narrow paths and fantastic views open up again and again. We pass the so-called Hindenburgtor and reach Christinenley, which lies on a rocky outcrop opposite Nideggen Castle. The route continues to the castle village of Nideggen. At the "Felsenweg" information board of the Eifelverein (above the restaurant "Zur Ewigen Lanpe"), we turn right into Heimersteinerstraße. At the end of this road, we leave the red sandstone route and follow the Eifelverein's hiking trail 37 (Hasenacker) up towards the castle. On hiking trail 37, we circle the mighty rock on which Nideggen Castle is enthroned and follow its further course until we meet the wide path of the red sandstone route again at the end of the narrow path. We follow this and pass numerous rocks that are designated as official climbing rocks. The red sandstone route then takes us downhill to the RurUfer cycle path, which we follow in the direction of Heimbach. At the next junction, the red sandstone route takes us uphill again. We leave the red sandstone route at the railings and turn right onto the narrow path on hiking trail 37 (Hasenacker), which takes us to Abenden. On the way, we meet up with the red sandstone route again, which we follow in the half-timbered village of Abenden to the Rurtalbahn train stop. From here, we take the environmentally friendly Rurtalbahn back to the starting point or directly home.