The best family-friendly hikes and walks in the Seven Hills

Many of these houses date from the 17th to 19th centuries and have been preserved or restored over generations. They are testaments to traditional building methods and rural life. A guided walk among the half-timbered houses is like a journey back in time 👍🏼

"Along with Chief Mining Officer Heinrich von Dechen, Franz Schultz was one of the great patrons of the Siebengebirge. The preservation of the Löwenburg ruins is particularly thanks to him. The bronze relief on a viewing terrace on the circular path around the Löwenburg commemorates Franz Schultz. A stone with a metal relief depicting Schultz's head in profile is set into the front wall of the terrace. Below it, in raised letters, is SCHULTZ * 1831 † 1926. The inscription on a bronze plaque below it reads: Franz Schultz - born February 15, 1831, Zerbst/Anhalt - died March 4, 1926, Cologne - Dedicated Preservationist of the Löwenburg Ruins. Schultz was born on February 15, 1831, the only child of Ludwig Ferdinand and Wilhelmine Schultz on the princely domain of Zerbst (Saxony-Anhalt), of which his father was the tenant. In addition to his After receiving his education from a private tutor, he worked in a metalworking shop and subsequently studied mechanical engineering in Berlin. As an engineer, he worked for several years for the Berlin-Hamburg Railway before moving to Cologne in 1856, where, among other things, he oversaw the construction of the iron roof structure of Cologne Cathedral. This was a sensation at the time because, until then, only wooden structures had been known. In 1863, Schultz joined the Charlier & Van der Zypen wagon factory, becoming a partner. In 1896, he sold his shares and, as a wealthy private citizen, undertook numerous trips around the world. In 1959, the company was absorbed into the Cologne-based engine, commercial vehicle, and locomotive manufacturer Klöckner-Humboldt-Deutz AG (see link 3 for the Wikipedia article on this topic). In 1898, Schultz founded a committee with Bismarck friends that promoted the erection of the Bismarck Column, which, inaugurated in 1903, still stands today at the junction of Cologne's Bayenthalgürtel and Rheinuferstraße. Franz Schultz died on March 4, 1926, at the age of 96, in his house in Cologne, which later fell victim to bombing. Until his death, his passion was the preservation of nature in his native Siebengebirge near Bonn, where a square was named in his honor. Text source: Zerbst Local History Calendar 1999

After a short climb there is a great resting place with a view of the greenery.

Super beautiful view of the Rhine Valley, in the middle of the lush green forests. A beautiful hike for those with a little hiking appetite, rewarded with a great view.

Viewpoint Three See View

This pulpit is dedicated to Franz Schultz, who made a special contribution to the ruins of the Löwenburg. In 1861, the Royal Prussian Forestry Office took over the care of the castle ruins. In 1882 the rest of the keep was demolished, probably for security reasons, but the rest of the ruins were secured. Franz Schultz must have played an important role in this process.

Nice picnic area

There are two benches on a small viewing platform that invite you to take a break. Anyone expecting a distant view will unfortunately be disappointed here. Instead, you can listen to the forest and look into the dense greenery.😉