On the wild side: of Kalterherberg

This is Kalterherberg at its best. For those staying over in a holiday home and wanting to barbecue in the afternoon, day visitors with a long way home, or anyone with an hour or so to spare wanting to take a trip on the wild side - this is your trail. The hike starts near the Eifeldom.

Paying attention to the GPS, take a turn towards the Römerbach valley. The trail leads you into the forest and steeply down to the Römerbach, which is crossed via a rickety bridge. Don't be tempted to follow the Römerbach at this point - the way will be blocked by fallen trees. Instead, follow a faint path upwards and through thick bush. Be prepared for nettles, raspberries and the like. You may hear some traffic noise from the nearby Bundesstraße, but the feeling is of total wilderness (at least for a few hundred meters).

Eventually, the trail descends to the Römerbach and crosses it on another wonky bridge. In August, we had to clear the path upwards to the junction with the 'monastery trail' from nettles. A few weeks later, you may just enjoy the blackberries.

Follow the monastery trail to the edge of the Perlbach lake, passing a hut and arriving at a bridge. Though this part of the monastery trail is a long distance trail, traffic is modest and the scenery is great. Do not cross the bridge (as 98% of the visitors would do), but continue on this side of the Perlbach, steep uphill. Also this part of the forest is wild and beautiful - a true footpath with no bicycles.

Repeat in different seasons....