Mendig

Mendig is a small town in the north of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany but an important hitchhiking point.

Hitchhiking
North of the town you'll find the Autohof Mendig. Usually an Autohof isn't the best spot to hitchhike in Germany, but this one makes an exception. The Autohof is very close to the ramp Mendig on the. There is also a lot of transit traffic because the B262 connects the A61 with the and is used by many people who want to save some kilometers. The ramp and the Autohof are on the direct route connecting the Ruhr Area and Cologne/Bonn with Trier, Saarbrücken, Luxembourg and France. People taking this route have to use the ramp Mendig. The Autohof has also a Petrol station, a McDonalds restaurant and some more stores which attracts a lot of people. Some people are also coming from Maria Laach which is a beautiful monastery on a very nice lake, many people make weekend trips to there.

Your best option is to place yourself on the street between McDonalds and the petrol station in front of the traffic light. Autohof Mendig is always full of cars - wating times are usually short. Good luck!

Sight seeing and sleeping
Just find a lift (or walk) to Maria Laach it is 8km north. Hike around the vulcanic lake and visit the monastery - its very beautiful.

There is also a camping site on the lake and a lot of forest around the lake where you maybe can try wild camping - but do it hidden and don't let your rubbish there, don't light fire. You can also sleep in the monastery just ask the monks - they expect you to give some money for the night but you can decide how much (but don't be stingy). There is also a youth hostel around - ask somebody where it is.