Alzen offers two distinct focal points for a stay: the Fatima tradition of the Herz-Mariä Church and the Skywalk and observation tower on the Hohe Hardt. When planning, both the pilgrimage calendar and the Alzen hiking car park are therefore important points of reference. You can plan your visit around a fixed pilgrimage date or focus on the viewpoints; each gives your stay a different timing emphasis.
Pilgrimage on recurring dates
The Herz-Mariä Church in Alzen is associated with the Fatima Madonna. Since 1954, people have made monthly pilgrimages there to her image. From May to October, the church is a pilgrimage destination for the veneration of Our Lady of Fatima on the 13th of each month; candlelight processions also take place in May and October. If you would like to time your visit around the pilgrimage, the 13th between May and October is the recurring date. The season therefore spans six months, while candlelight processions take place in two of them. This helps you plan your timing when choosing between a general visit and a stay focused on the pilgrimage.
Skywalk and observation tower on the Hohe Hardt
The Skywalk near the Alzen hiking car park can be reached via a ramp by wheelchair, mobility scooter or pushchair. It is about 300 metres from the car park in the direction of the observation tower on the Hohe Hardt. The observation tower can also be reached from the hiking car park. Temporary route restrictions may occur, so check the route conditions before your visit. This gives you two concrete points of reference for planning: the approximate distance to the Skywalk and the car park as a starting point for reaching the tower. The ramp information applies to the Skywalk.
Hiking in the municipality of Morsbach
There are also hiking routes with different courses in the municipality of Morsbach. The Baumweg circular trail first passes through the spa gardens, along the Wisser Bach and via Niederdorf. It then follows farm tracks past meadows and through the forest uphill to the observation tower on the Hohe Hardt, which is 35 metres high. Towards the end, the loop follows quiet roads through the centre of Morsbach. The tenth stage of the Bergischer Panoramasteig starts at Morsbach bus station and climbs steeply to the observation tower via farm tracks and small paths. The routes therefore differ considerably: the Baumweg is a circular trail with several types of scenery and a section through the town centre, while the Panoramasteig stage climbs steeply from the bus station to the tower.
Plan your journey and accommodation search
Bus route 347 connects Morsbach, Alzen, Birken and Wissen. Check the current timetable before travelling. When looking for a holiday apartment, you can first decide on the main purpose of your stay: for the pilgrimage, the relevant period is between May and October; for hiking, the Alzen hiking car park, the Baumweg or the start of the Panoramasteig stage in Morsbach are different points of reference. This lets you weigh up the timing of your visit and your plans for outings alongside your choice of where to stay.
For the wider travel overview: Morsbach.
