Roetgen combines local history with trails that explore a range of themes. The village walk takes you to historic sights in the town centre and links them with panoramic views along the Nordwanderweg. As you explore the town, both its buildings and the route itself are in focus.
Local Trails and Roetgen’s History
Highlights of the village walk include the historic Marienkapelle and the listed Protestant Breitkirche. The easy Schleebach village walk takes a different approach: it follows the historic Schleebachhanggraben through the municipal forest and past old thatched-roof houses in Roetgen town centre. Those interested in the history of the cloth industry can explore the subject on the 8.3-kilometre Weberweg.
The Alte Kirchweg also tells the story of a historic connection: in the 18th century, Protestant families from Roetgen regularly used the route to reach the Reformed congregation in Stolberg. It was almost 19 kilometres long. The trails therefore have distinct themes: the village walk focuses on local views and sights, the Weberweg on the cloth industry, and the Alte Kirchweg on the former connection between Roetgen and Stolberg.
Struffelt, the Eifelsteig and the Dreilägerbach Reservoir
The Struffelt nature reserve lies nearby, south of Roetgen-Rott. Covering around 118 hectares, it forms an open heathland on a hilltop within the surrounding forest. The open heath areas of Struffelt Heath, with their sparse trees, provide suitable breeding grounds for tree pipits (Anthus trivialis) and stonechats (Saxicola torquata).
The Eifelsteig crosses the Struffelt nature reserve and passes close to the Dreilägerbach Reservoir within Roetgen municipality. Eight kilometres of the main route between Aachen and Trier lie within the municipality. The reservoir is situated between Roetgen and Rott and was built from 1909 to 1911. Information boards are located at the hiking car parks around the reservoir, where signposted circular trails begin. Those wishing to include nature and local history in their stay will find a range of options, although not all the trails are in Roetgen town centre.
More Activities and Getting Around
The Roetgen wild boar park, covering around five hectares, is located below the hiking trail by the Schleebachgraben, near the “Im Todt” car park. Wild boar can be seen there at close range. The park is free and open to visitors all day; check access conditions before your visit.
For cyclists, the RAVeL route is another useful point of reference: coming from Belgium, it enters Roetgen municipality in the MĂĽnsterwald and soon reaches the former Roetgen railway station. The station is also a landmark for the motorhome parking area: hikes into the High Fens and Roetgen Forest are possible from there. Four circular hiking trails in the municipality also lead to cultural monuments steeped in history, stream valleys and viewpoints.
The Roetgen Therme offers seven different saunas and hot-air baths as well as five pools, including an outdoor saltwater pool. Check opening conditions before your visit. This makes it possible to plan around a range of interests: historically themed trails, nearby nature, a cycling route and the thermal baths.
Discover more destinations: Herzogenrath, Eschweiler, Erkensruhr, Simmerath, Alsdorf, WĂĽrselen, Stolberg, Hahn.
Back to the main travel overview: Aachen.
