Bornheim: Rhine Riverbank, Themed Trails and Local History

Bornheim can be explored on several scales: along the Rhine riverbank, on themed trails and through individual traces of local history. A short circular walk with literary audio stations offers a different experience from the roughly 40-kilometre Bornheim spur loop of the Rhineland Apple Route. When choosing where to stay, it is therefore worth first considering whether you are particularly interested in local history, nature, outdoor activities or a farm visit.

Trails through literature, local history and cycling

The nearly 3-kilometre Heinrich Böll Trail is a themed circular route through Merten and Rösberg. It introduces visitors both to Heinrich Böll’s life and to the history of the two villages. QR codes provide additional audio content along the way: they let you access and listen to interviews with eyewitnesses and excerpts from Böll’s short story “Oblomow auf der Bettkannte.” In this way, the trail combines literature with local history.

The Rösberg Wayside Shrines Hiking Trail focuses on something different. Around 6.5 kilometres long, it connects nine wayside shrines and roadside crosses and leads through Rösberg across the plateau. The two hiking routes therefore differ in length and in the subjects they highlight along the way.

The Nature and Culture Trail consists of several individual routes: four colour-coded, combinable routes are located in the Bornheim villages of Bornheim, Brenig and Roisdorf; three more run through Hersel, Uedorf and Widdig. The individual routes start at stops on light rail lines 16 and 18, making it possible to travel by public transport. Check the services on these lines before setting out.

The Bornheim spur loop of the “Rhineland Apple Route” offers a different scale: this circular route, around 40 kilometres long, connects all 14 Bornheim villages and is intended for cyclists and walkers. It opened in June 2019. Its length and links to every village clearly distinguish it from the shorter themed trails.

Rhine riverbank, nature conservation and historic traces

Bornheim’s Rhine riverbank stretches for 4.5 kilometres and is used for local recreation. Walkers, joggers, skaters and cyclists use the towpath. Herseler Werth offers a different experience: the roughly 15-hectare Rhine island is a nature reserve and has been off-limits to visitors since 1993. This restriction is an important part of planning a visit.

Individual buildings and historic traces also invite visitors to take a closer look at Bornheim. The 21-metre-high Hexenturm (Witches’ Tower) in Walberberg dates from the second half of the 12th century. A section of the Eifel aqueduct stands in front of Bornheim Town Hall and can still be viewed there today. The Roman Canal Hiking Trail follows the route of the Eifel aqueduct.

Farm visits with clear conditions

The Biohof Bursch organic farm offers tours of the farm and fields for interested groups. They provide insights into biodynamic fruit and vegetable growing and include tastings of fresh produce. Afterwards, visitors can enjoy coffee and homemade cake in the farm or garden café. Confirm the visiting arrangements before travelling.

Tours at the Bioland Ziegenhof Rösberg goat farm give visitors an insight into the keeping of white German noble goats and the cheese-making process. Visitors can meet the goats in the pasture or barn; a booking request is required for the farm tour.

When choosing accommodation in Bornheim, it is helpful to first decide which experiences you are looking for: a literary circular walk, activities along the Rhine riverbank, local history or a farm visit. If you compare several trails, their length and subject may be useful factors in planning. Be sure to take the respective conditions for farm visits into account.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Neunkirchen-Seelscheid, Swisttal, Wachtberg, Siegburg, Rheinbach, Meckenheim.

Back to the regional travel overview: Rhein-Sieg District.