Rodderberg is an extinct volcano near Bonn that we only recently found out about. Imagine that, after living here for over a year! Obviously, we were excited to visit it on a summer weekend. And we have to tell you this – it is THE BEST viewing point in Bonn.
People usually head to Drachenfels in Konigswinter for views of the Rhine river and valley. But what makes the view from Rodderberg better is that you get to see the Drachenfels Castle as well. And a view of a mountain-top castle is classic Germany. The views are reminiscent of the panoramas all across the Rhineland or the Middle Rhine Valley.
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What is Rodderberg?
There isn’t much information available about Rodderberg. Towering over the Rhine Valley, Rodderberg last erupted 250,000 years ago. However, over the years, the crater kept getting filled with water and then dust and soil. But when seen from above, you can still see a concave depression where the volcano used to be.
On clear days, you can see till Cologne Cathedral from the top, which is 50 km away. Though Germany is not known for its volcanoes, Wikipedia does list a decent number of active and extinct ones. Of these, Andernach and Dau are not too far away. If you live in Bonn or North-Rhine Westphalia, maybe you could visit these as well.
Where is Rodderberg?
Rodderberg is located very close to Wachtberg, a suburb of Bonn, Germany. Although the actual mountain is just outside the city borders of Bonn (officially Remagen), the main viewing point is indeed a part of Bonn city. The nearest bus stop is Etzelstraße or Oberaustraße. From Bonn (Bad Godesberg), we took a bus and got off here. From there, it’s a beautiful hike to the top of the Rodderberg mountain.
There are two routes available to travellers. The shorter one takes you straight up the hill and is not all that difficult. You walk up patches of grass and get the chance to enjoy 360-degree countryside views. You’ll see many other hikers along the way as it’s quite a popular spot. Towards the top, you’ll be cutting right across the vineyards which is a lot of fun.
However, if you prefer a flatter route for some reason (could be useful for those with baby prams and strollers), you won’t be disappointed. The flat route zig-zags around the mountain and is a lot longer. But it will get you where you need to – the main viewing point called Heinrichsblick.
Heinrichsblick Rodderberg
Heinrichsblick Rodderberg is the main viewing platform at Rodderberg, and the vistas from here are nothing short of spectacular. Even though it was a cloudy day, we were able to see Schloss Drachenfels and the ruins of the old castle (Burgruine Drachenfels) clearly. We also saw the vineyards on the slopes of the Siebengebirge Mountains and the River Rhine snaking along below all the greenery.
We were so spellbound by the vistas from Heinrichsblick that we returned there after exploring a few other trails. It’s a view we could never tire of.
Heinrichsblick Rodderberg is marked on Google Maps; so you won’t have any trouble getting there. There’s a nice bench in front of the terrace, where you can sit and enjoy the breeze. Feel free to bring a book to read or do some sketching. We believe you can also drive up to this point as there was a car parked on the opposite side of the road.
The second time, there was no one else around. And it was really romantic sitting on the bench together and gazing out at the beauty spread out before us.
There are many trails at the top of the mountain that you can continue along. Go right from Heinrichsblick Rodderberg and you will reach a ‘photo point’ – it’s also marked on the map. Here, an opening lets you stroll down into the vineyards directly and enjoy wonderful views of the vines and slopes. We didn’t see any grapes strangely – must have been an early harvest.
Wandering around vineyards is one of our favourite things to do. If you’re in this part of Germany, don’t miss out on visiting the vineyards of Ahrweiler either.
From this photo point, we took another route that led higher up the hill. Here, we reached a summit of sorts and the views were again, splendid. There were very few hikers here and we had the entire place to ourselves after a couple of people with their dogs left. It made for a very peaceful moment, being there in the countryside with only the grass and trees for company.
Other Things To Do in Bonn
Bonn is a wonderful destination for those who like peace and quiet and enjoy exploring the outdoors. As the birthplace of Beethoven and the erstwhile capital of West Germany, Bonn also has a lot of history behind it.
- Freizeitpark Rheinaue, the large riverside city park
- Museum Koenig, which is full of 3D wildlife exhibits
- Godesberg Castle and Bad Godesberg, a thriving neighbourhood
- Cherry blossoms and a walking tour of the Altstadt (Old Town)
- Hikes in Kottenforst and Marienforst, the city forest
Check out these other great activities in Bonn that you can book:
Where to Stay in Bonn
If staying in Bonn, you should ideally look at the city centre (Bonn Zentrum) or Bad Godesberg for good transport links and accessibility. Alternatively, you might want to book a hotel along the Rhine for nice views. Bonn is a good base for exploring Cologne, Dusseldorf, and various picturesque towns in Rhineland Palatinate.
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Really stunning photos! I can’t explain my excitement when i imagine. Thanks for the post.
As someone just starting out, this was fascinating to read! Many thanks!
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All of us wants to know each and every culture; this is the nature of every human.
Without Travelling, it is not possible to know other people’s culture. We have to travel outside our city, state or even country
to know their own culture. We cant wait to see your post soon.
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thank you for article , beautiful places amazing destination and good location
stunning mountains, hikes and scenic beauty – a complete package!!