Ahrschleife bei Altenahr

Ahrschleife bei Altenahr is a nature reserve in Rhineland-Palatinate featuring a pronounced river bend of the Ahr with steep slopes on both sides. The area displays typical characteristics of a central German river landscape with dense forests, limestone formations, and open slopes where vineyards grow.

The area received official protected status in 1983 to preserve this distinctive river bend and its surrounding landscape. This action reflected growing awareness at that time for safeguarding natural river formations in Germany.

Wine growers cultivate vineyards on the slopes surrounding the river bend, a practice that shapes the valley's character. This connection between nature and wine production is visible in the terraces and cellars you encounter along the paths.

Several marked hiking trails cross the area and connect various viewpoints overlooking the river course. Sturdy footwear is recommended since paths go through wooded slopes and over elevated terrain.

The river bend is so pronounced that the Ahr forms an almost perfect loop when viewed from above, with only a few hundred meters of distance in some places between sections of the river. This extreme meander offers an unexpected display of river geography that becomes particularly clear from the higher trails.