Traumpfädchen Spayer BlickinsTal

The gateway to the Traumpfädchen Spayer BlickinsTal is located at the hikers’ car park in Spay. Because of the particular lie of the land, we recommend wearing sturdy hiking boots and completing the route in an anti-clockwise direction. The start of the route is only 100 metres away, and we begin by turning right up a woodland pathway.

The trail ascends constantly, crosses the entrance to the barbecue hut and leads past a water pumping station. After a considerable climb, the small Sebastianus Chapel marks the first turning point in the tour. We now proceed down towards the valley on a winding trail, experiencing a whiff of the atmosphere of a primeval forest as we go. We quickly emerge from the trees, and the next section along a comfortable valley trail gives us a chance to recover from our initial exertions. Benches by the side of the path provide an opportunity to take a break whilst taking in fantastic views of the impressive Marksburg Castle.

Our Traumpfädchen soon veers off to the left. The next challenge now awaits – an ascent up onto the Rhine Plateau. Step by step, we complete various stations of the cross, firstly by passing across open meadows and then by proceeding through sparse woodland. At this point, we are joined by the Traumpfad Rheingoldbogen. Together, we walk on to the Chapel of the Holy Virgin 1.6 kilometres away. From here, a brief climb leads up to the Theoretikerhütte on the edge of the forest. The beautiful views down into the valley make this an ideal spot to take a breather.

We then continue along easily negotiable field tracks through open countryside. There is virtually no change in altitude, and the outlook is once again magnificent. After a few twists and turns, we arrive at the edge of a slope. This is where our Traumpfädchen and the Traumpfad part ways. The Traumpfädchen uses a lovely natural trail which even bears some of the characteristics of a sunken pathway. We gain a first glimpse of the Rhine, before the route descends sharply. After 4.1 kilometres, the hedges open up to afford us a superb sight of the river. It is a good thing that someone thought to put a bench here! The climb back up onto the plateau again places demands on our fitness, but the surrounding hedges, meadows and woods make for a diverting route and we  quickly reach the top. The Spay barbecue area offers a further chance to look down at the valley below before we turn sharply to the right onto a fabulous pathway which will form our final descent. We head through mixed deciduous forest containing many species of tree. There are some steep sections which require surefootedness, especially if it is wet. However, we soon find ourselves on the tarmac valley road near the B9. The starting point of the tour is now not far away. All we need to do is turn down to the right to arrive back at the car park.