THE CONTRAST IS REIZVOLL Just a stone's throw away from the adrenaline rush of the Nürburgring, you can hike through the area of the Obere Ahr-Hocheifel nature conservation project in a deeply relaxed and decelerated manner. It's a completely different world to be on tour with black storks and kingfishers.

For several days at a time, you will follow various "loops " into the heart of the adventure of unspoiled nature. The Hotel Restaurant Hüllen in Barweiler offers peaceful and hospitable accommodation. After a good night's sleep and a tasty meal, the circular trails called Dörferblick, Müllenwirft and Wirftbach take you through a strictly protected habitat for rare animals: Indeed, the shy black storks and magnificent kingfishers, fire salamanders, bats, blue iridescent fire butterflies or other species whose existence is otherwise threatened can be found here. Here, however, they enjoy the consideration of humans. And the people? They immerse themselves in a fairytale landscape that also gives them a feeling of security. The "12-village view" platform and the Kottenborn Switzerland vantage point provide the feather-light feeling of floating above the lush green volcanic cones. A break on a forest sofa with an unobstructed view of the mighty Aremberg or the picturesque ruins of the famous Nürburg castle also puts life in perspective: here in the middle of the nature reserve, it is easy to let yourself be touched by what is important and forget everything that causes stress. This is happiness: feeling at one with the living things around you. The parish church of St. Wendelinus in Kirmutscheid and the St. Antonius Chapel in Kottenborn give you an idea of the spiritual connection between the Eifel and its nature.

The package at a glance:

• 1st day individual arrival:

Hike on the Müllenwirft loop, approx. 14 km in length. Experience the unique panoramic view of the ridge of "Kottenborn Switzerland". Here you can pause in nature and take a deep breath. The route takes you through meadows and forests, past the Kottenborn Mill fishing park and back to the starting point with changing views of the Adenauer Bachtal valley and the Ahrgebirge mountains.

• Day 2:

On today's tour, the Dörferblick loop hiking trail (approx. 14 km), hikers are surrounded by natural tranquillity before following a gently ascending forest path to the wooden viewing platform of the panoramic viewpoint just before Pomster. The magnificent distant view offers the viewer a wonderful view of the varied Eifel landscape with the striking Aremberg (623 m), 12 picturesque villages and the once mighty Nürburg castle ruins on Mons Nore, the black mountain (678 m). A bench invites you to take a short break.

• Day 3:

Today is the last tour through the Upper Ahr-Hocheifel nature reserve. The Wirftbachschleife circular hiking trail (approx. 14 km) includes forest and meadow paths as well as a few sections of path, running upstream from the mouth of the Wirftbach into the Trierbach and repeatedly offering wonderful views of the Eifel landscape.

• Day 4:

Individual journey home