High above the Ruwer Valley, the trail winds for about 9 km around the village of Pluwig. Along the way, we can repeatedly enjoy views and panoramic vistas of the various neighboring communities. The Pluwig Apothecary Garden is also a highlight along the trail. In addition to medicinal plants and herbs, there’s plenty to marvel at and learn in the Nature and Paradise Gardens. A scheduled visit is well worth it!
We recommend the sports field in Pluwig as the starting point for our short hike; there you’ll find plenty of free parking spaces. From here, you can also set out on any other route around Pluwig.
The route is one-way and clearly signposted.
via L 139 and K 57
Enter destination in navigation system: 54316 Pluwig, Kreuzgarten 17
City Bus Routes 30 and 86
For more information, visit: www.vrt-info.de
Right at the start, you’ll already be treated to the first panoramic view of the town of Pluwig.
At the start, we’ll stay on the outskirts of town. As we pass the entrance to the festival grounds, another view opens up—this time across the Ruwe Valley all the way to Lonzenburg and, on the opposite side, Gusterath.
Continuing along the road, the three Pluwig hiking trails converge and run parallel for a while. At the edge of town, we begin our ascent through the new development area. Once we’ve left the last houses behind, we’re soon rewarded at the “Oberhausener Kreuz” wayside cross with a bench from which we can enjoy a beautiful view of the villages of Pluwig and Gusterath, and a short distance further along the trail, Schöndorf and Holzerath.
The next opportunity to rest after the climb comes just a few meters further on at the “Fliegerkreuz.” From here, as our hike continues, panoramic views open up all the way to the villages of Pellingen, Gusterath, Lonzenburg, Holzerath, Schöndorf, Hinzenburg, Geizenburg, Ollmuth, and Pluwig.
Here we also rejoin the “Karl May Hiking Trail,” which will accompany us for a stretch along the ridgeline. Passing meadows, pastures, and fields, we reach the “Geertskreuz” and, shortly thereafter, a fork where a path leads back to the center of Pluwig. Here, the “Karl May Trail” leaves us once again. We continue hiking across the highlands and reach the country road at the overview map. Shortly after crossing the country road, a wayside cross with a bench invites us to take a break before we tackle the final ascent of our hike. Having reached the highest point of our panoramic hike, our path now leads us back down the valley along the country road toward the village of Pluwig—protected by a “tree hedge.”
After crossing the country road, we approach the “Pluwig Apothecary Garden.” By the way: The Sänger family is happy to welcome visitors here by appointment. In addition to information about gardening seminars and group tours, Mr. Sänger also has tips on other beautiful hiking trails in the area.
After leaving the Hurkelbach area, the trail takes us a short distance further along the country road and past a section of our local fruit grower’s property back to the village of Pluwig. The return route to the parking lot now takes us across the church square and past the multigenerational plaza.
Everything you need to know about the pharmacy garden, along with contact information for scheduling an appointment in advance, can be found at http://apothekergarten-pluwig.de/
