Ahr Walking

BAD Neuenahr-Ahrweiler is in the Ahr Valley, which is promoted by the local tourist board as a red-wine region with extensive hiking and cycling trails.

Five walking routes start from beside the Steigenberger Hotel, which is the venue for the chess,

I chose to follow MK I, but I was glad I also had a tourist map as the route is not well-waymarked early on

However, once out of town and into the forest, where logging is going on, waymarking improves greatly

Much of MK I is in shade or dappled sunlight, which was a relief in the current heatwave

The 6.9-kilometre (4.3-mile) route peaks on top of Neuenahrer Berg, whose natural height of 324 metres (1,063 feet) is topped by a 16-metre (52-foot) watchtower

View of Bad Neuenahr through a lookout hole

Looking in the opposite direction from the top of the tower

Carving at the top of the mountain

Another carving on the way down

Guardian of the forest?

There were a couple of tricky bits while descending, but most of the route was a gentle slope