Beautiful views and small, crisp climbsHiking tour for returners
At the end of this tour through the Windecker Ländchen, as we start the circular route again, it's clear that our feet have taken over and our minds have switched off. How marvellous! With its small but crisp climbs, idyllic sections along and across the river and historical eye-catchers along the way, the Meander Trail has cast a spell over us.
Over eight kilometres, it led us to beautiful corners of Windeck an der Sieg. Ilonka and Silke introduce us to places and moments that made for a wonderful hiking experience.
Water, banks, river dwellersPure idyll
The Sieg with its loops and oxbow lakes not only gave the Meander Trail its name, it also characterises the first impressions: Very close to Schladern railway station, we immediately come across the otherwise rather small river, which can, however, boast a superlative here: The Sieg Waterfall is said to be the largest waterfall in North Rhine-Westphalia, although this refers to its width. There are over 80 metres between the two banks, with the Sieg flowing over and between rocks and stone cascades in several stages in between. However, masses of water only rush along here during periods of high water; in dry times, the picture is rather calm and idyllic.
Ducks and swans also enjoy this idyllic scene. Completely unimpressed by us, a family of ducks takes a waddling trip ashore. We two hikers, on the other hand, make our way across the water - a footbridge allows us to reach the other side of the Sieg on dry feet.
Over hill and daleChallenging ascents
From the water into the forest: the meander trail leads over long stretches of wooded hills and sometimes steep paths. Sometimes it climbs so steeply that it is no longer possible to have a conversation; instead, you can increasingly hear the sound of panting. From particularly challenging sections with slippery ground, a rope helps you to make progress. "Mountain festival" announces a sign as we reach the top. It's hard to believe: this summit ascent is only supposed to have taken us to 128 metres above sea level? That definitely seems higher to us!
Large orchardsSmall villages
Along the flat sections of the Meander Trail, half-timbered houses, beautifully landscaped gardens and orchards provide lasting impressions and interesting insights. If the signposts, a white S on a red background, didn't constantly reassure us that we are going in the right direction, we would sometimes feel as if we were walking through private meadows and gardens. We pass rabbit hutches, paddocks and home-made insect hotels. In between, the most beautiful half-timbered houses in black and white.
Fine gentlemen and hard-working craftsmenUnique highlights
An undisputed highlight of the trail is the castle that gave the municipality its name. From the easily accessible ruins, hikers have a sweeping view of the Siegtal valley with its river, forest and rolling hills. Remains of the walls reveal the layout of the once imposing castle and can be used as a picnic table and seating area.
It is not the lives of aristocratic lords that take centre stage in the Altwindeck local history museum, but the everyday working lives of ordinary people. In an old school building surrounded by a beautiful farm garden, as well as in two half-timbered houses, a barn and two mills, tools, furniture and other objects provide a vivid insight into rural life 100 years ago. In addition to an original "corner shop", an old hairdressing salon and a historic dentist's surgery, there is of course also a classroom from the past with inkwells embedded in the desk.
Overnight, for a few hours or for a coffee: these places along the Meander Trail are well worth a visit.
Our favourite places
- Museum village Altwindeck: Where schoolchildren learnt to read 100 years ago, visitors can now experience what daily life, work, socialising and religious life looked like in the past. On special days such as the annual castle and crafts market on 3 October or the open garden days in summer, you can experience the bakery, mill and historical tools in action.
- Spend the night in a tree house: This accommodation is located directly on, or rather above, the Meander Trail: the tree house is built around a mighty trunk. In Windeck, there are even more unusual accommodation options in the countryside, such as in a shepherd's or circus wagon.
- Stop off at the waterfall: Elmore's beer garden and lounge is located in a former factory building right next to the Sieg waterfall. Here, industrial architecture from the Wilhelminian era is mixed with living room lamps and Buddha statues, wooden furniture and lamps made from old metal. Incidentally, the name is reminiscent of the English metal goods factory Elmores, which was the owner of the first world patent for drawn copper pipes with water power at the end of the 19th century.
