Discover Germany
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Travel Feature
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Afoot on Germany’s Resurrected Red Wine Road
AFOOT ON GERMANY’S RESURRECTED RED WINE ROAD Daniel Cole is trailing the Rotweinwanderweg, a soaring vineyard hike through medieval villages sampling globally renowned wines and culture for our August issue. TEXT & PHOTOS: DANIEL COLE
The remote Ahr Valley in Germany’s Eifel region is a treasure-trove for both wine enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. The intertwining steep tributary that feeds into the Rhine has long been a tourist hotspot, albeit for those who know about its secret charms. Nestled up high among the vineyards sits the Rotweinwanderweg, a 35-kilometre trail that threads together medieval castles, centuries-old monasteries, thermal spas, and of course, the award-winning wine producers that have made the region famous throughout Europe. 54 |
Issue 96 |
August 2022
Located just 30 minutes north of the Moselle, the Ahr valley’s unique terrain and steep embankments make for some of the country’s best red wines. Sadly, it’s these same characteristics that contributed to the catastrophic floods of 2021 that caused untold damage, filling news channels worldwide with apocalyptic images of destruction. One year later and the Ahr valley region is welcoming back tourists. Although the rebuilding work is ongoing, the restoration
work that’s happened to date is impressive. Not only is the rail-line back up and running, but many restaurants and wineries within the villages are taking bookings once more. GRAPE WINE OFFERINGS The Rotweinwanderweg, one the area’s biggest attractions, starts at the village of Altenahr, weaving its way through the villages of Mayschoß, Dernau and Ahrweiler, before winding-up in Bad Bodendorf. The wide and careering trail is suited for both hikers and cyclists, as it serves several breathtaking views across the valley. Although smaller than some of the other wine-producing areas in Germany, the Ahr
