There are quite a few meters between the entrance and exit of Hergarten. But the elongated Bördedorf village on the Schafbachtal is easy to recognize. On the main axis, Kermeterstraße, pretty, often listed houses are lined up one behind the other. Numerous farmsteads are evidence of the village's former agricultural character. Today, the village, which belongs to Heimbach, is popular with tourists from near and far. Situated between the fading forests of the Kermeter and fields that change color with the seasons, Hergarten is an ideal starting point for nature excursions. The location once played an important role: Roman soldiers camped here due to its proximity to the Via Agrippa between Reims and Cologne. The "Heergarten" is considered to have given "Hergardia" its name. The settlement was first mentioned in an exchange document from 864, when King Lothar II of the Franks received Hergardia back from Prüm Monastery and added it to the Vlatten royal estate. Many more such "rulership decisions" followed right up to the present day. The people of Hergarten took it in their stride, not least because they trusted in St. Martin - the patron saint of the village for centuries. Although the origins of Hergarten can be traced back to a Roman military camp, a walk through the pretty village is extremely peaceful. From the hiking parking lot "Zum hohen Schirm", the walking route leads to the old village school.

Since 2007, it has been home to the National Park Guest House, which is very popular with nature lovers. Things get nostalgic on Kermeterstraße. After the municipality of Hergarten became independent for a long period in 1895, the mayor's office resided in the stately quarry stone house. Shortly afterwards, in the middle of the village, another "authority" asks for attention. In 1876, villagers erected a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary, whose colorful Madonna statue was probably a gift from the Mariawald monastery. The treasures of St. Martin's Church, on the other hand, cannot be grasped in passing. Inside the church, ancient sacred art and modern stained glass are well worth a visit. Opposite the parish church, a memorial commemorates the fallen of both world wars. However, a Celtic grave, which also has its final resting place here, goes unmentioned. The circular route then leads along a narrow farm track out of the built-up area and offers unobstructed views of the gentle cultivated landscape that surrounds Hergarten. For centuries, the site was also used as a brick kiln. Until 1960, sand from the local pit was used to produce building materials for the region in the brick factory near Kermeterstraße. The last stop on the Hergarten walk, on the other hand, has anything but work in mind. The Generation Park invites you to enjoy sport, games and fun. With renewed energy, the way back is almost self-evident.