Climb Germany's highest railway bridgeÂ
This isn't one for those who are scared of heights, but if you fancy a bit of an adrenaline rush and the promise of spectacular views over the Wupper valley, a climb up the impressive 107-metre-high Müngsten Bridge is a great option. Built in 1897, it was made using a whopping 5,000 tonnes of steel and 950,000 rivets.
There's a via ferrata all the way to the top, allowing you to safely climb the bridge which connects the cities of Remscheid and Solingen in the beautiful Bergisches Land.
If you fancy it, you'll need to join a 2.5-hour guided tour (book your ticket online), don a helmet and get strapped into a harness set – so there's no danger of falling. Slightly unnervingly, trains still run over the bridge, including while you're climbing!
And if that's not daring enough for you, they also run the tours at dusk (the next one's on the 13th September) and there's the option to test your nerve by walking the 100-metre-high narrow beam that crosses to the other side...
How far is it from Cologne? Just over an hour by car or public transport. Â
READ ALSO: 'So much to do': Why Germany is a great holiday destination
Take to the water at the Rursee
The Rursee is one of Germany's largest dams, so it's a paradise for water lovers – whether you opt for swimming, paddleboarding or kayaking – as your means to explore the area. There are several dedicated bathing spots and you can hire boats and boards, too.
And if you'd rather stay on terra firma, you can walk or bike part or all of the 27 kilometres around the reservoir. It sits in both the Eifel highlands and the lush national park itself, so there's plenty to admire in addition to the peaceful waters.Â
How far is it from Cologne? You can get there in about 90 minutes by car or two and a quarter hours if you're taking public transport.Â
Head back to the Middle Ages in Zons
Go way back in time with a visit to the almost perfectly preserved little town of Zons on the west side of the Rhine. It used to be called Zollfeste Zons (toll fortress Zons) because it was one of the tollways for traffic along the river.
Even now, most of the medieval walled city's fortifications remain intact and it's the perfect size for exploring on foot as there are only about nine streets in total.
You'll encounter interesting museums, a castle, churches, a 600-year-old windmill and gorgeous views as you wander the narrow cobbled streets. The open air theatre where fairytales are regularly performed is also a must-visit. Come mid-September, the town is turned over to the Matthäusmarkt, a sort of renaissance fair with entertainers, craftspeople selling their wares, a jousting tournament and period costumes everywhere.
How far is it from Cologne? It's a 40-minute drive or about an hour on public transport. Or you can hop on one of the boat trips that sail between the two towns.
Soak up the panoramic views with a hike up the Drachenfels
If you're after stunning views over the Rhine valley and the lush Siebengebirge hills with glimpses of Cologne in the background, then how about a walk up to the top of the Drachenfels? It takes about an hour to reach the peak and its castle ruins, but if you'd rather let the train take the strain, there's a rack railway that takes you to the summit, too.
Legend has it that the hill got its name because of the dragon Fafnir that lived in a cave on the Drachenfels (literally: Dragon's Rock). It was slain by Siegfried, the hero of the epic poem the Nibelungenlied, who took a bath in its blood to become invincible.
Legends aside, while you're exploring the charms of Königswinter, don't miss the fairytale neogothic Schloss Drachenburg. You can access it by walking up the (rather steep) hill in 30 minutes or, in summer, hop on Germany's oldest rack railway to get whisked up there in just a few minutes. Â
How far is it from Cologne? It's about a 30-minute drive or a 45-minute trip on train. Or, again, go down the river on a boat.
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