Harscheidt: Hiking the National Park Rim Trail

Harscheidt lies east of the Schmidt hilltop and lower down on a descending ridge between Kall and Schlehbach. The moderately challenging National Park Rim Trail is a 10.4-kilometre circular hike that starts at St. Hubertus Church in Nideggen-Schmidt, passes through Scheidtbaum and Harscheidt towards the Rursee, and returns to the starting point. Along the way, the route offers panoramic views of the Rursee as well as Nideggen, Brandenberg and Bergstein.

Hiking Trails and Views

A short detour from the National Park Rim Trail leads to Drönckespötz in Harscheidt; a sign on Nideggener Straße points the way. Check the detour and the signposting before setting out on your hike.

The Schmidt Panoramic Loop is also a moderately challenging circular hike, covering 14.3 kilometres and taking three hours and 30 minutes. Along the way, it offers views across the national park, towards the Siebengebirge hills and over the Rursee. At 14.3 kilometres, it is longer than the 10.4-kilometre National Park Rim Trail; the stated duration of three hours and 30 minutes also makes it easier to plan how much time this loop requires. Route statistics may change if the route is modified, so check the details before setting off.

Getting There and Finding Your Way

The National Park Rim Trail can be reached by taking bus route 210 to the Schmidt Schule stop in Nideggen-Schmidt. If you plan to use this service, check the timetable before setting off. In the Schmidt district, the National Park Information Point Schmidt is located in St. Hubertus Church (“St. Mokka”).

The information point features National Park exhibition modules, brochures, information about the region and a National Park film. Subtitles and sign language interpretation are available on request. The Schmidt Wildlife Park is also nearby, in Schmidt near Nideggen, directly on the edge of Eifel National Park.

Nideggen as the Wider Destination

In the wider destination of Nideggen, the Nideggen National Park Gate is located in Haus am Tor at Zülpicher Tor in the historic old town. Its townscape features lanes lined with half-timbered houses, as well as well-preserved town gates and a town wall made of red sandstone.

The Nideggen Castle Museum offers insights into everyday life in a medieval castle, chivalry and medieval economic culture in an authentic setting. Workshops and guided tours are aimed at school classes, families and adults; check the dates before your trip. Hiking routes combine specific trails with scenic views, while the Castle Museum focuses on everyday life in a medieval castle.

For families planning a children’s birthday party, Nideggen Castle offers programmes such as archery, Ghosts in the Castle, fairy-tale storytelling with creative activities, medieval dances, and activities about knights and ladies of the castle. Check the availability of the programmes in advance. Also in the wider destination of Nideggen, the 11.6-kilometre Ruraue hike loops around Nideggen.

For the wider travel overview: Nideggen.