has an extremely meandering course. Here, the river is accompanied by the B 267, although it does not follow every bend. In Altenahr is the start of the great Ahr loop (Ahrschleife) which is protected dued to its flora and fauna. From here the valley is ravine-like, its rugged rock faces cutting into the Ahr Hills. From Reimerzhoven there are extensive vineyards especially on the northern side of the river (i.e. on the south-facing slopes). Near Laach the Ahr runs round another loop in the valley and then passes the wine villages of Mayschoß, Rech, Dernau and Marienthal before finally reaching the territory of the town of Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler. The last narrow portion of the Ahr valley lies below the Bunte Kuh ("Coloured Cow"), a rock formation that reaches almost to the river and leaves hardly any room for road and railway. In Walporzheim the valley bottom broadens suddenly into the Lower Ahr Valley (untere Ahrtal). Lower Ahr valley The lower Ahr valley is also dominated by vineyards. The Ahr flows through the settlements of Ahrweiler, Bad Neuenahr, Heppingen and Heimersheim, where the vineyards end. The valley floor between Bad Bodendorf on the northern edge and Sinzig on a terrace to the south, is characterised by arable farming, fruit and vegetable growing. The confluence of the Ahr with the Golden Mile of the Rhine near Kripp has an almost natural character and is a nature reserve. Economy The Ahr Valley is primarily known for its wine. The wine festivals that take place in the various wine villages and towns from the beginning of September to the end of October play an important role in regional tourism, especially in Altenahr, Mayschoß, Rech, Dernau, Walporzheim, Ahrweiler and Heimersheim. The region and the Volcanic Eifel to the south are also known for the production of mineral water; for example, the iron-rich springs (e. g. the Apollinaris Spring) have made Bad Neuenahr into a spa town. Tourism has been a steadily growing part of the economy for many years. The area immediately around the springs in Blankenheim, but mainly the Middle Ahr Valley between Altenahr and Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler benefit from this. The county town has meanwhile become one of the three most popular tourist stays in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. Among the villages along the Ahr, Dernau is representative - here its transformation from local wine village to a national tourist destination has been