Decelerating and stimulating at the same time - "Ardbinna [04]" day hike tip

A circular hiking trail at its best - with magnificent views such as those from the Geyberg or Schafberg await you on the day hike with the beautiful name "Ardbinna". On a clear day, you can even see as far as the Siebengebirge, which consists of more than 50 mountains and hills, from the highest points. The attractive program is complemented by natural scenery such as idyllic biotopes, babbling brooks and wild and romantic forest passages.

If you want to combine hiking with interesting information about the region, you've come to the right place. Around 30 information boards line the trail and focus on early slate mining in the Wehetal valley, the mining of lead ore near Horm and, of course, the significance of the Roman memorial stone near Gey. This was dedicated to the female deity of the forest called "Ardbinna". The original is now in the Rheinisches Landesmuseum in Bonn.

The tour at a glance

The starting and finishing point of the 20-kilometre circular route is the Gey village square, which is also easily accessible by public transport. The route heads off in a southerly direction, past the parish church of St. Antonius. Follow the cemetery path to the confluence of the Wöllebach and Beybach streams and continue through the village center of Straß with its Donatus Chapel. The tour then leads to the Schafberg vantage point. Time for a short break with a great panorama. The trail then leads into the Geybach valley and up to the Geyer cross. The tour then leads you through quiet forest passages back to Gey, where you should not forget to admire the replica of the Ardbinna Stone.

Tips and tricks:

• The trail is signposted throughout with the Ardbinnaweg [04] logo.
• The tour, which is classified as "medium", contains some ascents and requires a certain level of fitness.
• Suitable hiking maps are available locally in the Rureifel.
• Several cross-connections also allow you to shorten the route and return to the starting point in Gey.
• There are restaurants and cafés in Gey and the surrounding area where you can stop for refreshments before or after the hike.