There’s nothing quite like hiking the Neander Valley in central Germany on a cool fall afternoon and realizing that many tens of thousands of years ago, one of the earliest human species  roamed this very landscape.

In August of 1856, the bones of the Neanderthal man were discovered in the valley in a limestone cave about 12 km (7.5 miles) from Düsseldorf.  The discovery was by no means intentional, it occurred when a quarry operator broke through a limestone cliff into the cave and discovered some unusual bones.  The quarry men, not being experts, thought they had discovered the remains of an ancient bear, however, after examination by a naturalist and an anatomist, it was determined to be a most significant find.  A find that not only shook the foundations of science, but literally started the field of paleoanthropology.

Hiking the Valley:

This very enjoyable trek covers roughly 7 miles straight up the Düssel River to the Village of Mettmann.  Fall seems to be best time for the walk when temperatures are moderate because you will encounter fewer hikers.  The winding earthen trail is quite enticing, rolling up the numerous hillocks and then dipping down into dark ravines.  Keep in mind that the hike can be a bit strenuous with uneven terrain and a few spots where the trail gives out into a steep scramble.  You’ll also need to ford a small stream or two that pour down into the river.     

The Neander Valley is amazingly beautiful and with a gentle breeze whispering through towering trees, the sound of the river gurgling and rushing over the rocks, it’s easy to imagine the faint murmurs of ancient voices. 

When you reach your destination of Mettmann, you will certainly want to visit the Neanderthal Museum that sits on the site of the original limestone cave where the famous fossils were found.  Sadly, the actual cave no longer exists as it was lost to the quarry operations in the 1850's.
 

The Village of Mettmann

The Neanderthal Museum