This hike takes you from the little town of Ilsenburg to the Brocken summit - the highest mountain in northern Germany. The trail is named after the German poet Heinrich Heine, who is said to have travelled here. At several way points, Heinrich Heine and his poetry are remembered. It is one of the longest hiking trails to the...

This was our first trip to the Lüneburger Heide and we were thoroughly impressed - even though the Heather was not yet in blossom. The trail runs through one of the best parts of the Heide. We did the hike on a Friday, met very few people, but can imagine the crowds roaming the fields especially on weekends during holidays and...

The trails of the Valley of the Hoegne stream, between Hockai and the Belleheid Bridge, are under the patronage of the Belgian King Albert II, and the valley is rated among the most beautiful of Belgium. We haven't hiked all valleys in Belgium, but we tend to agree. It is an absolute highlight. Almost as beautiful is the valley...

The old parking at the Wolfgarten trailhead seems to be no longer available, and some signs have been posted insinuating that the trails starting from here are closed for a length of about 200 meter. The suggested deviations are incomplete and the entire situations appears to be utterly confusing. Our inquiry with some locals...

This has nothing to do with cold feet. Coltsfoot (tussilago farfara), or in German Huflattich, is one of the first wild flowers showing up in March - about at the same time as Daffodils. They signal the arrival of spring, and if one hasn't started to shake off the dust from the hiking boots, this is the time to do it. We selected...

The Riffelsbach Loop is a misnomer. While the trail crosses and - for a short part - follows the Riffelsbach, it is really a trail above the Rur, from Hammer to Dedenborn and back through the hills. The Rur is without doubt the most important stream in the Northern Eifel, and it is beautiful wherever you go. This makes it...

The trail has three highlights: (i) the Boardwalks near Sourbrodt lovingly maintained by the Sourbrodt community, (ii) the glimpses of the Fagne Wallonne and the closest point to the source of the river Rur as you can get; and (iii) a stretch of wild forest along one of the branches of the young Rur. Between them, you have to...

The Dreiborner Hochfläche is part of what used to be a restricted area used for military exercise. For many years, no commercial or touristic activity was allowed. Following the suspension of military activity, the area became part of the Eifel National Park - meaning it is left on its own save for trail maintenance. The area...

The 'Hohe Venn' and the area around Monschau are often treated separately in Hiking guides. The ‘Kreuz im Venn’ is usually visited in connection with the Cloister of Reichenstein, which in turn is visited on trails starting in Monschau. Here, we connect a pleasant Venn experience with the Cross in the Venn. The hike starts...

A winter walk near the Höfener Mühle. Plenty of snow, glorious weather, well below the freezing point, make this hike even more desirable than in summer. The Fuhrtsbach and the Perlenbach were partly frozen. The long ascent from the valley to the Jägersief is sufficient exercise to keep warm. The shiny new shelter at the...

This is an easy but interesting (and quite popular) trail that takes in a great deal of boardwalks through the moorlands of the 'Hohe Venn'. There is a central parking, and the trail can even be shortened - something that you are unlikely to consider once you set off. There are signboards and detailed explanations along the...

The Perlbach valley, which during spring sees the spectacle of thousands of wild-growing daffodils, is a favourate hiking area along the German - Belgium border. For those shying away from the big Daffodil-tour, this is shorter variant. As a bonus you get the views from the Bieley, which is a rocky outcrop overlooking the...

La Rocca dominates the silhouette of Cefalu. A visit to Cefalu is not complete without the hike up to the castle. The mountain may have a fresh breeze when it is getting hot in Cefalu town. Entrance is regulated by a gate near Piazza Garibaldi, where a fee is charged. The trail is well signposted, and not difficult. Excellent...

Pizzo Carbonara is the second highest summit of Sicily. The hike to its summit is easy, with a visible path and markings throughout. The hike starts at Piano Battaglia, which is a Ski Resort and signposted from Cefalu. The road to Piana Battaglia is good. The summit of Pizzo Carbonara is just the highest point (by 2 meters, or...

A hike in the Land of the Springs. The Hohe Venn (Hautes Fagnes) is the source of the Statte, Sawe and Hoegne. The courses of the streams are wild and unspoilt. We visited in fall, but the area is interesting at any time of the year, for sure. The trails are often rough, but there are many footbridges and gangplanks that...

A rewarding tour, mostly along easy but very scenic forest paths, with some mountain trails typical for the German uplands. There are a few steep ascents, and generally much elevation gain and loss. The first part follows the long-distance Eifelsteig, the second follows the Ahr-River-Steig. The source of the river Ahr is in...

This is a standard for the people of the area, and good for all seasons. Most of the trail is on good forest roads and trails - only the first few hundred meters and the last are a bit rough. Part of the trail leads past the daffodil-trails (when in season). The restaurant at the Höfener Mühle is no longer open.

A varied hike that combines trails along the huge beech hedges that are so typical for the area, farmland, the secluded Kluckbach valley, and many interesting sites along the way. The hike starts in Höfen. After a few hundred meter you pass the "Alte Molkerei", which is one of the official gates to the Eifel National Park. Pay...

The trail visits Kölschkier, which is the place of a new nature-experience-and learning-trail, mainly for kids. Kölschkier is on a beautiful spot on the banks of the Perlenbach. Our trail starts near the Theissbaum in Kalterherberg, where one can avoid the stream of visitors that may come during the Daffodil season - though...

Most people experience the Wahlerscheider Forest by driving right through it, when going from Monschau to Schleiden or vice versa. It appears dark and monotone, and one has to venture off the road side to unlock its treasures. On its north-eastern side stretches the Eifel National Park, and on its south western side the...