Hermann Heights Trail
Hiking in the land of the Cherusci chieftain
Battles have now been replaced with peaceful relaxation on the Hermannshöhen (Hermann Heights) trail. The ridge of the Teutoburg Forest offers amazing views.
The Hermannshöhen (Hermann Heights) trail is a combination of the 160-kilometre Hermannsweg (Hermann Trail) and the 70-kilometre Eggeweg (Egge Trail), which cross the ridges of the Teutoburg Forest and the Egge Hills. The two ridge trails are steeped in tradition, forming part of a hiking trail network that is more than 100 years old. Large sections run through the TERRA.vita and Teutoburg Forest/Egge Hills nature parks. It links the three NRW regions of Münsterland, Sauerland and Teutoburg Forest.
Many of the region’s most significant sights are to be seen along the Hermannshöhen Trail. These include the Externsteine, thirteen sandstone pillars, which stand as high as 40 metres, near Horn-Bad Meinberg, and the impressive Hermannsdenkmal (Hermann Monument) near Detmold.(intern auf Stadtporträt oder Liste mit hübschen Stadtkernen verlinken, wenn vorhanden). This monument commemorates the Cherusci chieftain Hermann (also known as Arminius), who defeated the Romans in the legendary battle of the Teutoburg Forest in 9 AD.
The Hermannshöhen trail can be regarded as one of the top hiking routes in Germany as both the Hermannsweg and Eggeweg trails have been awarded the “Qualitätsweg Wanderbares Deutschland” seal of quality by the German Hiking Association (DWV).
