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The Kneipp path near Elten (Germany)
Easter 2009 we made a day trip to Elten near the border between Germany and the Netherlands. We chose the so called Kneipp-Path for this day's hiking tour. It took us 1 hour with the car to reach the center of Elten shortly past 10 o'clock am. A 10 miles hiking tour through borderland was to be completed!
After the fog cleared up the sun came out. The Kneipp path looked more friendly and inviting with sunshine. The tour consists of forest passages as well as bituminized ways. Fleet of foot, we accomplished the first part of this flattish tour. (Only the very beginning was an uphill part).
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We passed the border to the Netherlands after one hour, and along camping sites and some nice restaurants (with children's playgrounds) we made our way on dutch ground for app. 45 minutes … The dutch part of the Kneipp path is nothing but flat and the only part of this route without forests. It only consists of agricultural roads and leads through a typical dutch hamlet called Stokkum. Back on German ground we made a break nearby Castle Borghees. Unfortunately a cold wind came up and we had to go on. |
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On our way we passed a golf course, some aspargus fields and pasture land (with horses and cows) and finally, after nearly 3 hours walking, we reached Elten again. Watch it! Unexercised or slow wanderers will need 3 ½ hours and more for this route. |   |
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A further high light in Elten was to visit the St. Vitus church, the oldest church in Emmerich county. The tower is visible from a distance. The church itself has no single coloured window, thus you have the impression to stand in a stronghold when you enter the church. |   |
All in all we hiked 2 ¾ hours (without breaks). Of course we enjoyed a big ice cream after we finished this tour. In the center of Elten you will find a big choice of cafés, restaurants and takeaways - anybody who returns from an excursion can eat his fill - if high prices do not bother…
A map of the whole region can be found here.
