The Salmtal winds in broad curves through a very wide valley floor, cut 50 to 100 metres into the surrounding hills. A marked circular trail, the history of former mills, and buildings in Salmtal and Salmrohr give your stay several possible focal points. When planning your trip, you can first decide whether you would prefer to hike, visit historic buildings, or combine the two.
Landscape and Circular Trail
Former gravel pits in the Salmtal have developed into landscape features with bodies of water, riverside vegetation, and pioneer and ruderal vegetation. Larger areas of traditional orchards remain between Sehlem and Salmtal and around Klausen. Historic settlement patterns are also still perceptible in the village centres of Salmtal and Salmrohr.
One specific hiking option is the marked Salmtal 2 circular trail, starting in Dörbach. Rated as easy, the route is 4.4 kilometres long and follows the Bendersbach, crossing meadow paths and passing through woodland. The circular trail also includes a small chapel on Kellerberg and opportunities to stop along the way. The stream, open meadows, and woodland lend different character to sections of the same route.
If you are considering a cycling route, you can look at the Salm Cycle Path separately: it is mostly flat, with a short climb beyond Rivenich. Route and surface conditions may change, so check them before setting out.
Mills and Buildings in Salmtal
The history of the mills can be traced through two sites dating from different periods. Dörbach Mill was first mentioned in 1250 and was associated with the former Eberhardsklausen Monastery. It operated as both a grain mill and an oil mill; milling ceased in 1966.
Salmrohr Mill was first mentioned in 1330 and rebuilt in 1685. A two-storey former mill building dating from the first half of the 19th century, with a wooden waterwheel, has been preserved. The two mills therefore point to different moments in their history, from their first appearance in written records to the surviving buildings.
Sankt Martin, a Neoclassical parish church built in 1839, also stands in Salmrohr. The Mother of God Chapel is a chapel with three plastered sides, built in Gothic Revival forms. The inscription above its entrance bears the date 1866; the building may be older.
Another Activity
The Salmtal Climbing Pillar was created from a railway pier between two streams and is used as a climbing facility. Access to the water and seating by the river are also available at this site. Check locally for access and activity regulations before your visit.
Salmtal and the Wider Bernkastel-Wittlich Destination
The wider Bernkastel-Wittlich destination brings together the volcanic Eifel, the romantic Moselle Valley, and the HunsrĂĽck, rich in forests and meadows. There, the 816-metre-high Erbeskopf invites you to hike and offers a variety of winter sports. In Klausen, the pilgrimage church of Maria Heimsuchung was consecrated in 1502; Klausen remains a destination for pilgrims every year.
When looking for hotels in Salmtal, it helps to decide on the focus of your trip in advance: the Salmtal 2 circular trail offers a specific hiking option, while the mills and churches provide a cultural and historical perspective.
Discover more destinations: Reil, Thalfang Am Erbeskopf, Manderscheid, Oberöfflingen, Ürzig, Traben-Trarbach, Immert, Osann-Monzel
Go to the wider travel overview: Bernkastel-Wittlich.
