Wolfsschlucht und Gipfelglück - Den höchsten Punkt im Öcher Bösch erklimmen

This hike leads through the heart of the Aachen Forest and up to its ridges to the Steineknipp, the highest point of the Aachen Forest at 359 meters. Uphill and downhill, far away from roads and settlements, we hike through the Öcher Bösch with its magnificent old trees, winding paths and wide forest trails. Sometimes we dive down, meandering leisurely up the inclines on quiet paths, sometimes we are right in the middle of the hustle and bustle of hikers and cyclists who meet at a refuge at major crossroads or enjoy a refreshment at the Entenpfuhl estate in the valley.

We have Chief Forester Franz Oster to thank for the fact that we find an impressive, extensive forest area between Eupener Straße and Lütticher Straße. He came up with the idea of turning the Öcher "Bösch" into a high forest with a primary recreational function. Trees had to be at least 80-100 years old before they could be felled. The Aachen City Council followed the forester's vision in 1882 with the so-called welfare resolution, the first of its kind in Germany. Supported by the commitment of the mayor at the time, Ludwig Pelzer, a network of forest paths was created that still exists today, followed by shelters, restaurants, viewpoints and the expansion of the streetcar whose lines brought day-trippers to the outskirts of the city.

Our starting point at the Linzenshäuschen, a former medieval watchtower on the green city boundary at Landgraben, was also accessible by streetcar. From here, our path leads up to the start of the Wolfsschlucht gorge. Here, a branch of the Wurm river has dug deep into the layers of the Aachen Forest. Underground erosion did the rest, gradually forming steep slopes from the sandstone underground. In the city, the Wurm has to disappear into underground channels and only comes to light again from Europaplatz onwards. From Krefelder Straße, it is then allowed to flow freely and naturally northwards again. At the highest point of the Aachen Forest, the Steineknipp, lie the ruins of the Pelzerturm (42m), once a lookout tower and excursion restaurant named after the mayor at the time. From the tower gallery, you can enjoy a panoramic view as far as the High Fens. At the end of the Second World War, the Pelzerturm, which had also served as an anti-aircraft position, was blown up by the Americans.

The ridges of Steineknipp and Klausberg were largely deforested and unwooded during the Middle Bronze Age - 1,000-100 BC - when the local settlers created a number of burial mounds. Perhaps the highest point with its panoramic view at the time was decisive for the choice of final resting place.

Highlights along the route:

• Wolf Gorge
• Mound graves
• Ruin Pelzerturm