Discover Hürth

In Hürth, routes for long walks meet Roman water engineering history and activities on Lake Otto-Maigler. The 10.8 km Otto-Maigler circular route offers opportunities for hiking and walking in every season. In Hürth-Hermülheim, the Roman Aqueduct hiking trail brings the history of the Hürth water conduit to life and leads to a viewpoint with sweeping panoramas. Water sports on the lake add to the picture. This lets you choose whether to focus your stay on the landscape, history or outdoor activities.

Hiking trails and landscape

The Otto-Maigler circular route is 10.8 kilometres long and offers good opportunities for hiking and walking in every season. You can plan your stay around a loop outdoors or a stroll. At Lake Otto-Maigler in Hürth-Gleuel, the route has a starting point at tram line 711. If you include this access point in your plans, check the current timetable. The route also passes the remains of Burbach Monastery, a Cistercian convent founded in 1233. This historic stop gives the route an additional point of interest beyond spending time outdoors.

Roman traces in Hermülheim

In Hürth-Hermülheim, the Roman Aqueduct hiking trail includes a section of the Roman aqueduct that formed part of the Hürth water conduit, built around AD 30. At the station there, water conduits from Berrenrath, Aldenrath, Frechen and Bachem flowed into the Hürth water conduit. These four names draw attention to the different conduits that came together here. The viewpoint on the Roman Aqueduct hiking trail also offers a distinct perspective on local history: the trail follows the spur of the spoil heap from the Hürtherberg open-cast lignite mine, which was abandoned in the 1920s, to a viewpoint. From there, the view stretches across the Cologne Bay to the Siebengebirge hills. This brings the history of water engineering together with a panorama that extends far beyond the trail itself.

Another tangible trace of water engineering history can be found in the Catholic parish church of St. Catherine in Hürth-Hermülheim. The church was built in 1894–1895; aqueduct marble sourced from the Eifel aqueduct was used as the base for the baptismal font. This detail illustrates a distinctive use of the material: the connection to the Roman aqueduct appears here in a piece of church furnishings. Those interested in history can therefore explore both the Roman Aqueduct hiking trail and a detail inside the church in Hürth.

Water sports on Lake Otto-Maigler

Lake Otto-Maigler is known for its wide range of water sports. The clubs based at the lake offer rowing, fishing or windsurfing by arrangement. If you would like to plan one of these activities, arrange it in advance with the relevant club. This adds activities on the water to the hiking trails and historical themes as another possible focus for your stay.

Choose the focus of your stay

When planning, it is worth considering the different experiences on offer: the Otto-Maigler circular route provides opportunities for hiking and walking in every season, while the Roman Aqueduct hiking trail leads to Roman traces and a viewpoint. Water sports take centre stage at Lake Otto-Maigler, with rowing, fishing and windsurfing available by arrangement. If you are travelling as a group, these different themes can help you tailor your stay to your group's interests. When looking for accommodation in Hürth, you can first consider which of these aspects matters most for your trip.

More things to explore in the Rhein-Erft district

Those looking beyond Hürth to the wider destination of the Rhein-Erft district will find further cultural attractions. The BERGHEIMAT Museum presents Bergheim's history through audio and interactive stations, as well as a small museum cinema; it also features permanent and temporary exhibitions. The KERAMION in Frechen houses collections of modern and historical ceramics. Since 1984, Augustusburg Palace in Brühl, together with Falkenlust Palace and the Brühl Gardens, has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Rhein-Erft district therefore offers a variety of cultural interests alongside Hürth's hiking, water and history themes.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Frechen, Brühl, Buir, Kerpen, Elsdorf, Bedburg, Erftstadt, Bergheim.

Return to the overview of the wider destination: Rhein-Erft district.