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Natural Monuments

North Rhine-Westphalia

Cologne District

McArthur Tree and Pilgrims' Cross

Natural Monuments

North Rhine-Westphalia

Cologne District

McArthur Tree and Pilgrims' Cross

Highlight • Monument

McArthur Tree and Pilgrims' Cross

Hiking

4.4

(130)

Mountain biking

4.4

(82)

Gravel riding

5.0

(2)

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Naturpark Hohes Venn-Eifel

Location: Hürtgenwald, Kreis Düren, Cologne District, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

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Tips

January 21, 2022

Hiking

“Each of these crosses can tell its own story and what prompted people to erect “their” cross at this point. (...) These wayside crosses were erected as visible signs and …

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May 1, 2025

Hiking

A copper beech tree at the intersection of the Höhenschneise and Heimbach Pilgrim's Paths was around 90 years old when a young GI carved his name into its bark. It …

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May 1, 2018

Hiking

On September 21, 1944, an American soldier (very likely) carved his name "R.D. McArthur" into the trunk of this beech tree. It's hardly recognizable now. But the exciting thing about it is the fact that the US soldiers apparently had time and were bored back then.
Everyone in the region knows the story of the terrible battle in the Hürtgen Forest during World War II. But it was never assumed that the soldiers apparently had leisure for carving.

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Nearby routes

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5.0

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#2.

Potato Tree – Potato tree - Height clearing loop from Zweifaller und Rotter Wald

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4.3

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12

hikers

#3.

Ave Maria Pilgrimage Rest Area – View of Aachen loop from Zweifaller und Rotter Wald

7.08km

01:57

120m

120m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

Details

Informations

Elevation 480 m

Weather

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Monday 12 October

18°C

11°C

54 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 25.0 km/h

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See nearby routes

Location: Hürtgenwald, Kreis Düren, Cologne District, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

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