Aqueduct of the former Roman canal near Mechernich-Vussem
Maximilian Hulisz, Tourismus NRW e.V., Aqueduct of the former Roman canal near Mechernich-Vussem

Römerkanal-WanderwegEngineering from the past

Nettersheim
  • Hiking, Regional hiking trail
  • 117 km
  • 38 Hours
  • medium
History step by step: The Roman Canal Hiking Trail follows a Roman water pipeline and leads in 7 stages from Nettersheim to Cologne in the footsteps of Roman engineering.

Tour details

  • Length:117.24 km
  • Duration:38 Hours
  • Uphill:787 hm
  • Downhill:1183 hm
  • Difficulty:medium
  • Category:Hiking, Regional hiking trail

This wall trail invites you to travel back in time and offers the opportunity to discover the impressive remains of an almost two-thousand-year-old Roman canal in the Eifel.The Roman Canal Hiking Trail stretches over 116 kilometers from Nettersheim to Cologne-Sülz and follows the historic Eifel water pipeline, an engineering masterpiece of the Romans from the 1st century A.D. On seven stages between 13 and 22 kilometers in length, it follows the water in the direction of Cologne.

Along the route, hikers will come across numerous relics of the ancient water pipeline, including the "Grüner Pütz" spring near Nettersheim, the Klausbrunnen fountain and the aqueduct bridge near Vussem. Around 50 information boards along the route offer insights into Roman engineering and the history of the ancient water supply.

The well-signposted route can be walked in both directions and runs parallel to railroad lines, allowing for flexible stage planning. Numerous hiker-friendly hosts along the way invite you to stop for refreshments and overnight stays.

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