Discover Arft: Forests, juniper heathland and hiking trails

Arft is surrounded by mixed forests and protected upland and juniper heathland in the eastern Eifel. Forest and open heathland together shape the character of the place. Those who enjoy spending time outdoors will find several named hiking trails here, each offering different points of interest: a scenic 9-kilometre circular hike, a family-friendly trail through forest and heathland, and award-winning routes that pass through the municipal district.

Juniper heathland and mixed forest

The uplands around Arft are home to wild-rose and juniper heathland, interspersed with broom and heather heathland. The juniper stands are usually dense and sometimes up to three metres tall. Together with the mixed forests, they create a landscape where open heathland and wooded areas reveal different sides of the destination. Streams are also part of the landscape, which can be explored on one of the local circular hikes.

Hiking trails with different highlights

The Historic School Path is a scenic circular hiking trail in the local municipality of Arft. Its 9-kilometre route connects heathland with paths through mixed forests and along streams. The Arft Loop offers a different experience: it follows well-maintained hiking trails through forest and juniper heathland before passing through the village of Arft. It is family-friendly. If you want to compare the trails, here are some specific differences: the Historic School Path is marked as a 9-kilometre loop, while the Arft Loop focuses on the transition between forest and heathland and the route through the village.

Two award-winning Eifel Dream Trails also pass through the municipal district of Arft: the Bergheidenweg and the Wacholderweg. The Jubiläumsweg 100 of the German Alpine Club, Koblenz Section, also runs through the Arft municipal district. The trail names reflect landscape features that also appear in local descriptions. You can tailor your visit to your hiking interests without assuming that all routes follow the same course or have the same characteristics.

Nature and cultural experiences

A field trip led by medicinal-herb specialist Hedda Edel usually takes place in Arft about once a year. Nearby, Wacholderwacht offers guided nature hikes as well as activities for school classes or groups of five or more. Alongside choosing your own hiking routes, you can explore nature-related themes; Wacholderwacht’s activities are specifically intended for school classes or larger groups.

This lets you choose according to your own travel interests rather than treating different destinations and landscapes as the same.

Culture in the wider Mayen-Koblenz destination

In the wider Mayen-Koblenz destination, historical and museum attractions complement the natural setting. Genovevaburg Castle was built in 1280 by Heinrich von Finstingen, Archbishop of Trier, and is one of Mayen’s landmarks. Sayn Ironworks is an anchor point on the European Route of Industrial Heritage and the only monument in Rhineland-Palatinate to receive this distinction. Following restoration, its modern exhibitions and multimedia displays invite visitors to explore; guided tours and creative workshops are also available.

Andernach offers another museum highlight: the Geyser Museum explains in five exhibition areas how the world’s tallest cold-water geyser works. These attractions are part of the wider Mayen-Koblenz destination and are not features of Arft itself. Together with the local hiking trails and heathland, they offer different perspectives to help you plan your stay.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Mayen, Herresbach, Monreal, Rüber, Kalt, Kell, Bermel, Andernach.

Back to the wider travel overview: Mayen-Koblenz.