Discover Rheinbach: Forest Trails, Roman Aqueduct and City History

Rheinbach can be experienced in many different ways: trails through the city forest, evidence of Roman hydraulic engineering, historic buildings and a varied cultural programme give your stay its own distinctive character. If you enjoy spending time outdoors, there are plenty of opportunities for hiking, walking and cycling. If you are interested in history, you can explore the Roman Aqueduct and Rheinbach Castle. For families, the amusement park is a particularly appealing option.

City Forest, Hiking Trails and Cycle Routes

Rheinbach City Forest is a popular local recreation destination. It has an extensive network of routes, including larger main paths, smaller hiking trails and bridleways. The different types of paths can help you plan your visit: choose whichever best suits whether you would prefer to hike, walk or ride along the bridleways. The forest chapel can also be reached by car, bicycle or on foot via the hiking trails in Rheinbach City Forest. Parking is available at the hiking car park; if you are going on foot or by bike, it is worth checking the trail conditions locally.

Two cycle routes also pass through Rheinbach, each with a different geographical focus. A 25-kilometre branch loop of the 124-kilometre Rhineland Apple Route runs through the municipal area. The German long-distance cycle network’s Mittelland Route, also known as the D-Route, passes through parts of Rheinbach and continues southeast towards Meckenheim and then on to Bonn. This gives you a choice between a local loop and a longer onward route. Check the current signposting before setting out.

Roman Aqueduct and Rheinbach’s Historic Buildings

The free Roman Aqueduct Information Centre is located in the heart of Rheinbach, roughly halfway along the Roman Aqueduct Hiking Trail. On display are an almost six-metre-long chorobate and an authentic section of the Roman aqueduct. The centre is also a starting point for hikes, walks and cycle rides, including trips beyond the Roman Aqueduct route. You can make the information centre itself the focus of your visit or use it as the starting point for a tour.

Himmeroder Hof, a Frankish manor complex, stands on Himmeroder Wall close to Rheinbach Castle. The parts that have survived to this day date from the first half of the 18th century. Today, only the Witches’ Tower remains of Rheinbach Castle, and the tower can be visited. If you are interested in castle history, you will find a surviving historic structure here, while Himmeroder Hof offers a different historical impression with its manor complex.

Another historic site lies in the Rheinbach district of Wormersdorf: the Tomburg ruins stand on a 316-metre-high basalt cone. Together with the Roman Aqueduct Information Centre and the Witches’ Tower, the ruins show the different ways to explore Rheinbach’s history, from Roman infrastructure to a castle ruin.

Guided Tours, Theatre and Events

Castle and town tours are offered in Rheinbach throughout the year. Night watchman tours also take place several times a year. For both types of tour, it is worth checking current dates and booking options before your trip. The Rheinbach Summer Open-Air Cinema is an annual outdoor event where local residents and visitors watch films together; the programme and dates may vary.

Other event highlights have their own distinct focus. Held in mid-July each year, Rheinbach Classics brings the 1950s and 1960s back to life, including with a nationally renowned classic car show. “Kultur im Hof” has been an open-air festival for several years, held on Himmeroder Wall directly in front of the Himmeroder Hof cultural centre, and is considered a summer cultural highlight. If you would like to plan your stay around one of these events, check the current dates. Rheinbach City Theatre adds to the cultural programme with comedies, farces and dramas.

Amusement Park and Activities to Enjoy Together

Rheinbach Amusement Park offers more than 15 hectares of sports, fun and relaxation for all ages. Its facilities include a water play trail, a climbing locomotive, a play and toboggan hill, and large playgrounds. Alongside forest trails and cultural attractions, it offers opportunities for play and active recreation. As individual facilities may be undergoing maintenance, it is best to check whether the ones you want to use are available when planning your visit.

Your preferred focus for the stay can help guide your choice of accommodation: would you mainly like to explore the city forest trails and cycle routes, focus on culture and historic buildings, or plan your stay around an event? Rheinbach offers ways to pursue all these different interests, without requiring every day to follow the same plan.

Discover more destinations: Hilberath, Alfter, Eitorf, Troisdorf, Niederkassel, Ruppichteroth, Bad Honnef Am Rhein, Meckenheim.

Go to the main travel overview: Rhein-Sieg District.