Brohl-Lützing: Hiking along the Rhine and the Vulkan-Express

Brohl-Lützing combines trails along the Rhine with three moderate circular hikes and a railway hub. The three routes differ in length, starting points and the trail features described for each.

Rhine promenade and railway hub

The Brohl Rhine promenade includes riverside paths, an accessible harbour mole, a beer garden and a landing stage for boats. The Katharinaweg can also be accessed from the station forecourt. The Rhine promenade is both the starting and finishing point of the Himmelsleiterweg and the Katharinaweg. When planning, you can therefore choose between one of the circular hikes that starts there and a route with a different starting point.

The beer garden and boat landing stage may have changing operating hours. If you are specifically planning a visit, check the latest operating information.

Brohl station is the operating hub of the narrow-gauge Vulkan-Express railway and is directly opposite the DB railway station. Connections are available with the MittelrheinBahn; short walks lead to the Rhine and the town centre. If you are planning a specific train journey, check the timetables before travelling. The station is also the starting point of the Dicktberg circular hike.

Three moderate circular hikes

The Himmelsleiterweg is a 13.4-kilometre circular hike that starts and ends at the Rhine promenade. The route follows the steep, rocky Himmelsleiter trail section to Lützinger Höhe. Along the way, there are views over the Rhine and the Rhine and Brohl valleys, as well as towards the Eifel. The description thus links a specific trail section with several viewpoints.

At 15.7 kilometres, the Katharinaweg is longer and is also designed as a moderate panoramic loop. It runs between the Lower Middle Rhine Valley and the surrounding heights, linking stops relating to volcanic history with viewpoints. The start and finish are at the Rhine promenade by the Aalschokker Katharina. If these themes are important to you, you can easily distinguish this trail from the Himmelsleiter loop, which also starts there.

The Dicktberg circular hike starts at Brohl station, is 11.7 kilometres long and is rated moderate. Its stops include the Rheinblick shelter, a viewpoint bench on Dicktberg, a Roman quarry, the Hohe Buche volcano and the Mosenmühle mill. Its starting point therefore differs from those of the two circular hikes at the Rhine promenade.

When comparing distances, the Dicktberg loop is the shortest of the three at 11.7 kilometres. The Himmelsleiter loop covers 13.4 kilometres and the Katharinaweg 15.7 kilometres; the two routes starting at the Rhine promenade therefore differ by 2.3 kilometres. All three trails are rated moderate. The steep, rocky section is also noted for the Himmelsleiterweg. You can weigh up which loop suits your day based on its length, starting point and specific trail features. Trail conditions may vary; check them before setting out on a particular hike.

Discover more destinations: Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, Barweiler, Leimbach, Sinzig, Bad Breisig, Kalenborn, Remagen, Wimbach.

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