The village tour starts at the parking lot in the green area of Erkensruhr, near the small playground and the meeting point for ranger tours of the national park. Opposite, hidden behind a picket fence, is a wetland biotope created by the district environment agency, which has been helping to save the valley's amphibian population for several years.

On our way, we are accompanied by Erkensruhr, which is mentioned as early as 1069 in a deed of gift from Emperor Henry IV as "Orkenrure". The village itself is still quite young in comparison. It only appeared on Prussian maps in the middle of the 19th century under the name "Neudorf" as a small inhabited hamlet. Before that, the valley was mainly used by charcoal burners, shepherds and for mining slate.

After approx. 400 m we see the "Backes". The small half-timbered house is home to a baking oven in which parts of a hundred-year-old farm oven have been integrated. On baking day, the aroma of freshly baked stone oven bread fills the air, which can be purchased (dates at www.erkensruhr.de). To the left of the bakehouse, we find a replica of an old historic stagecoach on display.

The next point of interest is the chapel built in 1948 by the inhabitants of the valley, which is dedicated to St. Hubertus, the patron saint of hunters. It also points back to the origins of the village. It is said to have been first settled by shepherds, hunters and their helpers.

The route continues past the many half-timbered houses in the valley, which have been renovated with great attention to detail.

Once we reach the forest, we can enjoy the magnificent view of the village and the steep slopes of the valley. One of the most beautiful sections of our hike now begins above Erkensruhr. In the oak forest, we are already in the territory of the Eifel National Park. We quickly realize why this landscape is so important. We see rocks covered in lichen and moss, a deeply incised side valley with a babbling brook and trees felled by wind and age, which in turn have become a habitat for plants and animals.

We discover a round, flat area on the slope. It is an old charcoal burning site. A long time ago, charcoal was produced here for the ironworks in the area.

We can already hear the sound of the water from up here and soon we are standing on a wooden bridge over the young Erkensruhr and enjoying the calming atmosphere.

At the edge of the forest, we follow the chapel path that runs parallel to the valley. Again and again, benches invite us to take a short break. The lovingly renovated chapel comes as a bit of a surprise. We really didn't expect such a spacious building here. And we soon realize that it's not just hikers like us who find their way to this little place of worship. As the numerous votive plaques show, people come here on pilgrimage time and time again.