Traumpfädchen Riedener Seeblick

Beginning at the car park at Rieden Reservoir, we make our way along a short access path to the dam wall to arrive at the gateway to our Traumpfädchen. Because of the climbs involved, it is best to complete the route in an anti-clockwise direction. For this reason, we first tackle the sharp incline of Waldseestraße and make our way uphill through a holiday home development. We soon leave the last of the houses behind us. Meadows open up to the right, but we take the woodland pathway to the left. The embankments along this trial offer fabulous geological insights into the fiery past of the Volcanic Eifel. Half of the altitude we need to conquer today has been achieved by the time we come to the “Auf dem Perich” crossroads. We now move onto a paved forest path. After passing a shelter, our route takes us through woodland and then through open meadows until we finally turn off onto a grassy trail. The ground cushions our steps, and this sensation continues as we take a sharp right turn and begin a significant descent once more.

The route flattens as the next shelter comes into view ahead. We soon find ourselves at the Udelsheck viewing point, the highest elevation on the tour. By the way, the lounger located here provides a particularly good vantage spot from which to enjoy the splendid views ...

Without changing direction, we hike along the edge of the woods whilst taking in good views of the village of Rieden. At the end of this woodland area, the path turns down into the valley. We lose considerable altitude before our route swings to the left to reach a tarmac road. We ascend for a mere 50 metres before turning off left onto a field track. We take the first right and come to “In der Aspel” and the first houses. However, we follow nature for the time being by savouring the fine views from above the village. We soon enter the village proper, cross the Rehbach and turn off right to a Kneipp pool. A short time later, the Sauerbrunnen fountain offers hikers another sort of refreshment. Continuing alongside the Rehbach, we rapidly approach the lake. We finish our tour by making a half-circuit of the lake on a well-maintained shore path. We have now completed our 5-kilometre trail and find ourselves back at the starting point. Before returning to the car park, there is an opportunity to seek sustenance at one of the lakeside establishments.