Dizzying climbs and rapid descents. Face to face with the Tyrannosaurus Rex or the brawny bison. Conquer summits and move mountains together. Boredom is a thing of the past. Today, action is the order of the day. You set your own pace on a hike or bike ride together, on small and big adventures on land, on water and in the air. You encourage each other and in the end you are an unbeatable team. One for all, all for one. FamilYeah!
The pulse races
Just the sight of it! The way it suddenly stands there, this gigantic steel scaffolding. It towers 100 metres high out of the woods to the left and right. Do you feel that small too? From below, the trains crossing the Wupper valley between Solingen and Remscheid seem as small as toy trains. The Müngsten Bridge is not short on superlatives. It has been able to call itself Germany's highest railway bridge for decades. But as if that wasn't enough, the impressive structure can now also be climbed. Well, do you dare? And who will encourage whom? Well roped up, you climb the steel scaffolding step by step to a dizzying height. A real tightrope act. And an experience that is guaranteed to bring you closer together - and stay in your memories.
Of course, it takes a bit of effort to attempt the spectacular climb. But the shared sense of achievement is all the more rewarding. A selfie together? Absolutely. Ideally when you have reached the highest point and the perspective is suddenly completely different. And when the adrenalin level slowly drops again.
Speaking of which. Not only at lofty heights, but also on rapid descents in the bike park on the Kappe adventure mountain in Winterberg, your pulse is guaranteed to be racing. Whether you're a mountain bike pro or a beginner, you can ride over hill and dale on eleven flowing trails or train on the bumpy pump track. You can hire the necessary equipment for the family challenge, i.e. bikes and protective gear, at the bike park. Too much adrenaline? If you prefer to watch the action on the course as a spectator, the best option is to take the Fly-Line, a mixture of a leisurely rollercoaster, zip wire and nature experience, and glide down into the valley at a leisurely pace through the woods. Or you can take the route in the opposite direction and walk over the highest viewing bridge in the Sauerland at 20 metres. But watch out! This adventure also has it all. There are five fun elements that will make you lose your footing.
This action-packed excursion to Winterberg in the Sauerland can only be topped by one thing: a visit to the bobsleigh run. In winter, the international bobsleigh elite compete here. In summer, it's your turn! Then you can walk through the 15 steep bends of the artificial ice track or, for the right kick and with the necessary team spirit, book a breathtaking ride in a taxi bobsleigh. Who wants to volunteer to push?
Work up a sweat and ride your mountain bike over hill and dale. Full of adrenaline, perform a tightrope act on the Müngsten Bridge, the highest railway bridge in Germany.
As far as your feet will carry you
And who will carry the rucksack? Once the volunteer has been chosen, you're ready to go. North Rhine-Westphalia offers many adventures for hikes with the whole family. For example, the 154-kilometre Rothaarsteig in the Sauerland and Siegerland regions and the Hermannsweg in the Teutoburg Forest are among Germany's most attractive long-distance and high-altitude hiking trails. If you want to walk them in their entirety, you'll be travelling for a few days - with breaks, of course. But at the end, everyone knows what they have achieved together. But if the shortest legs in the group set the pace, there are also short and exciting routes for children. Oops, is that a goblin? On the Little Rothaar fairytale trail, you will be accompanied by the red-haired goblin with the green ranger hat. He will lead you to his secret places. Have you ever seen bison? Directly on the Rothaarsteig, in the bison wilderness, you can watch the largest forest dwellers grazing peacefully. In the Teutoburg Forest, on the other hand, it's the Hermannsdenkmal and the Externsteine, a million-year-old rock formation from the Ice Age, that will challenge you: Who will get to the top first?
The Drachenfels in the Siebengebirge is just as shrouded in legend as the Externsteine. Please get in, everyone! From Königswinter, a historic cog railway takes you up to the large viewing platform above the Rhine. But anyone can ride. If you have enough stamina and desire, get off halfway up and walk the rest of the way back, after a short detour to Drachenburg Castle. The reverse is also possible, of course. Challenge accepted! And how about a little paddle tour afterwards?
City, country, castle
Or would you prefer a cycle tour together? Perhaps from the Ruhr area to the Sauerland? Or the other way round? As the name suggests, the Ruhr Valley cycle path always runs alongside the Ruhr. Along a total of 240 kilometres, there is plenty of industrial culture to see as well as a varied landscape. Do you want more than just cycling? Take on new challenges? Maybe on the water? No problem. Get in a canoe and start paddling - that's also possible on the Ruhr!
But back on the bike. And off to Münster! In the heart of the city lies the Aasee lake, which is not only a favourite recreational area for the locals. You can do whatever you like around the lake. Sunbathe or have a picnic, go horse riding or fishing, pedal boating or sailing. But one thing is certain: the best way to get to the Aasee is by bike. Because the city itself and the surrounding Münsterland are the cycling region par excellence in NRW. The 100 Castles Route is undoubtedly one of the best-known and most beautiful routes here. Cycling to the nobility. Who wants to be a prince or princess today?
But if the heirs to the throne turn down the title of nobility and prefer to embark on new adventures in science, then the destination is clear: the dinosaurs in the LWL Museum of Natural History. Who dares to look the dreaded Tyrannosaurus Rex in the eye? Why don't you set off now!
Or are you more in the mood for real animals? Cheetahs, elephants and meerkats? The all-weather zoo in Münster has animal highlights in three climate zones. If you want to experience the perfect zoo day, you can have a picnic basket packed and eat where the tigers do their daily rounds. Or how about a night at the zoo? Do you dare?
Travelling begins in the mind with Merian
Already bitten by the travel bug? Then we'll increase your anticipation a little more - in the MERIAN podcast, the name says it all. In "Travelling begins in the mind", Inka Schmeling and Kathrin Sander take you to the places where you can move mountains together in North Rhine-Westphalia.
