Local recreation on the doorstep: the Indetal valley and Brander Wald forest
In the south, the Indetal borders on the oldest nature reserve in the city of Aachen - the Klauserwald - and stretches between Krauthausen and Brand to the city limits of Stolberg at the Elgermühle.
It was finally declared a nature reserve in 2002. The largely unobstructed course of the Inde river with its accompanying copses and small woodlands, as well as the many wet meadows and wetlands, are unique. Little owls still breed on the slopes of the Inde valley with its orchards and hedgerows. Kingfishers and dippers are also at home here.
The rare yellow-bellied toads not only live in the Brander Forest, but also colonize newly emerging small bodies of water in the Indetal, their traditional habitat. The varied cultural landscape of the valley, into which the hiking trails running along the slopes repeatedly provide a charming insight, invites hikers and walkers from young to old to take a leisurely stroll in the fresh air.
Premium hiking: Eifelsteig- Inderoute
Although the Eifelsteig premium hiking trail only starts in Kornelimünster and leads from there into the unique cultural and natural landscape of the Eifel, the well-signposted Inderoute provides access to the popular long-distance hiking trail from Brander Markt via a varied feeder route.
Popular cycling and hiking trail: the Vennbahnweg
Even today, many original residents of Branden remember the trips on the former Vennbahn wistfully. Commissioned back in 1885, it opened up the Eifel region to the local population for over a century.
During the First World War, the Vennbahn served as a vital transport line for the army's deployment. After the Second World War, its fate was decided. Having become more and more irrelevant economically and now cut through by national borders, it lost its regional and interregional function. Freight trains continued to run to Brand station until 1984, when this line was also finally closed.
Since then, the Vennbahn route has been used as a cycle and hiking trail. This car-free transport link between Rothe Erde, Eilendorf, Brand and Kornelimünster through Niederforstbach via the scenic Rollefbach valley with its viaduct has since been extended as far as Luxembourg, making it the most valuable component of local and regional leisure and recreation.
Oases of peace: parks and green spaces
The district's parks and green spaces right on the doorstep are also attractive places to linger and take a deep breath. For example, the centrally located park on Eschenallee with its old trees is a great place to spend your lunch break.
The green area on Brander Wall is perfect for a walk with a view, as it is the highest point in Brand with a beautiful view of the district, the Voreifel and across the city of Aachen to the Lousberg. A walk through the Brander cemetery on Kolpingstraße is also worthwhile because of the old trees.