Dernau: Wine, Hiking Trails and History
Accommodation in Dernau
A river floodplain and steep vineyard slopes shape Dernau’s landscape. Pinot Noir and Frühburgunder grapes are grown on the steep, rocky terraces along the Ahr. In the Ahr Valley, a mild climate, low rainfall and weathering slate soils support winegrowing.
Wine Tastings and Seasonal Offerings
You can arrange visits to wineries in Dernau for wine tastings. From spring through November, seasonal wine taverns serve local wines and regional specialties in an informal setting. Dagernova offers red and white wines as well as sparkling wines. Its selection includes Riesling, Pinot Noir and rosé sparkling wines. As the product range may change, check the current selection in advance if you are interested in a particular variety.
Hiking Trails and Their Sections
The Red Wine Hiking Trail runs for around 35 kilometers from Altenahr to Bad Bodendorf and passes through Dernau and Marienthal. In the central Ahr Valley, its most scenic section connects the winegrowing towns of Altenahr, MayschoĂź, Rech and Dernau. The certified AhrSteig is around 100 kilometers long and runs from the source of the Ahr to its mouth. The trail is known for its natural diversity, natural monuments and cultural heritage; one section runs from MayschoĂź to Dernau. In comparison, the route through several winegrowing towns contrasts with a longer AhrSteig that has a specifically named stage to Dernau. Check local details of the Red Wine Hiking Trail route before setting out. On the AhrSteig, detours or maintenance work may alter the route. So be sure to check the current route there, too.
Krausberg: Views and Access Route
Krausberg Tower offers views across the Ahr Valley between Rech and Ahrweiler. On a clear day, the view extends as far as Bonn, Cologne and Cologne Cathedral. A marked access route follows the Ahr Valley Trail, then takes trail A9 or 18 via Habichtsblick and a signposted climb to the tower. Check trail markers and access conditions on site.
Winegrowing History and Historic Sites
The history of winegrowing in the Ahr Valley can be traced back to 770. The historic Winzerverein and the Dernau Winegrowing Association were founded in 1873. In 1970, two Dernau winegrowers’ cooperatives merged to form the Dernau Winegrowers’ Cooperative, now Dagernova Weinmanufaktur.
The Augustinian convent of Marienthal is located within Dernau’s cadastral area. It was founded in 1136 and completely rebuilt in 1699. Part of the former government bunker between Dernau and Ahrweiler was converted into a museum about the Cold War, which opened to the public on March 1, 2008. As visitor arrangements may change, check current access information before your visit.
Culture in Ahrweiler
If you are interested in historical topics beyond winegrowing, you will find other places to visit in Ahrweiler. At the Roman Villa at Silberberg, visitors can see a model of a Roman estate and watch an audiovisual presentation. The House of the Marksmen in Ahrweiler displays art-historical treasures from the past three centuries, including uniforms, photographic documentation and historic marksmen’s rifles. Three Ahrweiler marksmen’s associations have operated a museum since 2002; visits are available by appointment.
Discover more destinations: AhrbrĂĽck, Binzenbach, Rech, MayschoĂź, Heckenbach, Lind, Liers, Berg
For the regional travel overview: Altenahr.
