Bornheim: Rhine Paths, Themed Routes and Local History

Bornheim combines local history, themed trails and activities along the Rhine. When looking for a hotel in Bornheim, it helps to think ahead about whether you mainly want to explore themed routes, go walking or cycling, or visit farms. The different routes and focal points offer a range of options for planning excursions.

Literary Trails and Local History

The Heinrich Böll Trail is just under 3 kilometres long and follows a themed circular route through Merten and Rösberg. It introduces visitors to Heinrich Böll’s life and the history of both places. Along the way, you can scan QR codes to access and listen to interviews with contemporary witnesses and excerpts from Böll’s short story “Oblomow auf der Bettkannte”. This trail combines literature with local history and adds audio content to the route.

One historic landmark in Walberberg is the 21-metre-high Hexenturm (Witches’ Tower), dating from the second half of the 12th century. A section of the Eifel aqueduct is displayed in front of Bornheim Town Hall, where it can still be seen today. The Römerkanal hiking trail runs along the Eifel aqueduct. Together, these sites offer another way to explore Bornheim’s history: one through a medieval tower and the other through a water-supply structure.

The Rösberg Wayside Shrines Trail links nine wayside shrines and roadside crosses over a distance of around 6.5 kilometres. It runs through Rösberg and across the plateau. The Nature and Culture Trail is also divided into individual routes: four colour-coded, combinable routes are located in Bornheim, Brenig and Roisdorf; the trail in Hersel, Uedorf and Widdig comprises three separate routes. These individual routes start at stops on tram lines 16 and 18, making it possible to travel by public transport. Check current services before setting off.

The Rhine, Cycling Routes and Nature Conservation

Bornheim’s Rhine bank stretches for 4.5 kilometres and is used for local recreation. Pedestrians, joggers, skaters and cyclists use the Leinpfad towpath. For a longer outing, the Bornheim Loop of the “Rhenish Apple Route” offers a circular route of around 40 kilometres for cyclists and walkers. It connects all 14 of Bornheim’s districts and opened in June 2019.

The Rhine is also home to Herseler Werth: this island, covering around 15 hectares, is a nature reserve and has been closed to visitors since 1993. This is an important distinction to bear in mind when planning: the leisure activities mentioned above are possible along the Rhine bank, but the island itself remains off-limits to visitors.

Farm Visits and Regional Produce

The Bursch organic farm in Bornheim-Waldorf offers tours of the farm and fields for interested groups. Visitors learn about biodynamic fruit and vegetable farming and can sample fresh produce. Afterwards, they can enjoy coffee and homemade cake in the farm or garden café. If you are planning a group tour, arrange the booking details with the farm in advance.

During tours of the Bioland Rösberg Goat Farm, visitors learn about the husbandry of the White German Noble Goat and how cheese is made. They can also meet the goats in the pasture or barn. Advance booking requests are required for farm tours.

Compare Routes to Plan Your Trip

The distances provide a practical guide when choosing excursions: the Heinrich Böll Trail is just under 3 kilometres long, the Rösberg Wayside Shrines Trail around 6.5 kilometres, and the Bornheim Loop of the Apple Route around 40 kilometres. This lets you weigh up a shorter themed circular trail, a longer route with historic sites, and an extended cycling and walking route. If you are looking for hotels in Bornheim, first decide which of these activities you want to shape your stay.

Discover more destinations: Widdig, Hersel, Eitorf, Siegburg, Wachtberg, Ruppichteroth, Meckenheim, Hennef

Return to the main travel overview: Rhine-Sieg District.