The hike begins at the national park gate in Gemünd. Along the north bank of the Urft, the route first heads west downstream before ascending through the Böttenbach valley to Wolfgarten. On the eastern edge of the Kermeter ridge, the hike leads to the Trappist monastery of Mariawald Abbey. The ridge of the Kermeter with its ancient beech forests was the decisive reason for the designation of the national park. In the closed beech forests, the wildcat living in the national park finds ideal retreats. Mariawald Abbey was built between 1480 and 1486 by Cistercian monks. An image of grace attracted numerous pilgrims. During secularization in 1804, the monks were expelled and the miraculous image was transferred to the parish church in Heimbach. Since 1860, Mariawald has been the only male Trappist monastery in Germany. From there, the hike continues steeply downhill to the destination in Heimbach.

Highlights along the route:

- Gemünd National Park Gate
- fire watch tower in Wolfgarten
- Mariawald Monastery.
- National Park Gate in Heimbach.