Treasure hunters in nature’s paradise

Excursions and the Countryside Treasure hunters in nature’s paradise

In Aachen, that holiday feeling’s never far away – look out of any window and you’ll see a park, a meadow or a tree-lined avenue.

The city, a mere 40 per cent of whose soil area is artificially sealed, is an oasis of green with the city woods less than three miles from the cathedral door – the woods where GPS treasure hunters happen upon cross-country golfers, dog owners, mountain bikers and families out for a stroll. They’re where springs rise up, borders are crossed and lessons in nature abound.

Lovers of water sports are also drawn by the many attractions in this part of the world – whether white-water rafting, canoe trips along burbling streams, pedalo boat outings on dormant volcanic lakes, surfing on wind-whipped lakes or simply diving head-first into crystal-clear waters. Refreshing water is always at hand – Aachen has natural outdoor swimming pools, former gravel pits, reservoirs and the especially popular Hangeweiher outdoor swimming complex near the city centre.

Great day trips - whatever the weather

Rolling hills, gaping crags, dense forests and fascinating uplands also provide a real Mecca for hikers, paragliders and rock climbers. If you want to survey the countryside around Aachen all at once, take a trip up the revolving tower on Lousberg Hill. And if you’d rather explore the area on two wheels, simply follow the Kaiserroute (Charlemagne paths), the international routes or plot your own way past our industrial heritage sites, fortified castles, towers and stately homes.

And because – as ill-meaning tongue-waggers will tell you – Aachen gets more than its fair share of rain, pretty much everything can be done indoors as well, whether it be swimming in fin-de-siècle surroundings, pampering yourself at a wellness resort, splashing around in a fun pool or doing some serious competitive swimming – or even exercise-biking in one of our many fitness centres or roping up to conquer a climbing wall.

Wherever the paths of international leisure-seekers cross somewhere nice, the conversation will flow – about modern-day treasure hunters, new routes and Aachen’s beautiful natural surroundings and wonderful world of water.