In Kottenborn, local history can be combined with hikes to a ridge and through a valley. St. Anthony’s Chapel stands on the slope at the edge of the village; the Müllenwirft Loop leads to the Kottenborner Schweiz and on through the Kottenborn Forest into the Wirftbach Valley. This gives you two distinct points of focus for planning your trip: the chapel and its architectural history, and trails whose routes or stages each offer their own points of reference.

St. Anthony’s Chapel and its architectural history

St. Anthony’s Chapel is a branch church of Kirmutscheid. It was first documented in 1403; its construction had to be approved by the Adenau Commandery of the Order of St. John. The late Gothic choir bears the year 1525 on a keystone. A low, two-bay nave was added in the 17th century, and the wooden altar dates from 1790. These dates therefore relate to different aspects of the chapel’s history: its first documentation, the choir, the extension and the altar. At the edge of the village, the chapel is sheltered by old elm trees.

Views from the Kottenborner Schweiz

The Müllenwirft Loop reaches the Kottenborner Schweiz viewpoint on a ridge. From there, the view extends over Kottenborn toward Aremberg, Reifferscheid and Rodder, as well as over green volcanic cones. Panoramic information boards and a seating area are part of the viewpoint. The loop then descends through the Kottenborn Forest into the Wirftbach Valley. The trail thus combines views from the ridge with a stretch through forest and valley.

Hiking routes with different stages

A nearby hiking route, In the Footsteps of the Knights of the Order, is a 41.6-kilometre loop divided into two stages. The first day ends at St. Anthony’s Chapel in Kottenborn. This gives you both the route’s total length and the connection between the first day’s stage and the village for planning purposes. Check trail conditions before setting out.

Another point of reference is In the Footsteps of Old Mills: its fourth stage runs from Wirft via Barweiler and Kottenborn to Quiddelbach and Adenau. The hiking route through Kottenborn is marked throughout with its trail logo. Unlike the two-stage loop, this route focuses on a single stage and the sequence of several villages along it.

Mill history in Kottenborn

The Kottenborn Mill offers another perspective on the village’s history. It was built in the 18th century and first mentioned in old lease books in 1728; it was decommissioned in 1954. While the chapel’s dates place its building phases and furnishings in context, the mill’s dates record its construction, first mention and closure.

Getting there and finding a hotel

Bus route 881 connects the market square in Adenau with Kottenborn. If you plan to travel by bus, check the current timetable before setting out, as routes and timetables can change.

When choosing a hike, you can compare a 41.6-kilometre loop divided into two stages with the fourth stage of a route that passes through several villages. These different types of route offer a practical starting point for deciding what kind of trip you want.

Discover more destinations: Pomster, Fuchshofen, Kaltenborn, Rodder, Aremberg, Winnerath, Honerath, Meuspath

Return to the main travel overview: Adenau.