Hedges Trail Höfen

The treeless Eifel plateaus (around 500 m) east of the High Fens on the border with Belgium are exposed to strong westerly winds - freezing in winter; in Kalterherberg this finding is also reflected in the place name. Protective red beech hedges in the Monschauer Land have been documented since the end of the 17th century. They grow approx. 0.7 to 1 m thick and 6 to 10 m high and so partly protrude over the houses; their length can be over 40 m. The hedge achieves stability through a careful braiding technique and regular trimming.
The hedges keep the withered leaves from the previous year until the next spring and are therefore suitable for wind protection throughout the winter; in summer, however, they provide shade and have a cooling effect. Source: Wikipedia
In order to show the hiker the most beautiful corners, the hedge path was laid out and inaugurated in 2008. For almost six kilometers - there is also a shortened, barrier-free circuit of three kilometers - the path leads past beautifully tended houses from old and new times with their protective beech hedges.

House-high beech hedges protect the houses from the cold in winter. It used to be very important when there was no central heating.

Interesting hedgerow landscape with windows and driveways