The history of Reimerath’s chapel
A specific local cultural landmark in Reimerath is the Catholic branch chapel of St. Mary, Queen of the Rosary. It was built in 1950–51, consecrated in September 1951, and received its bells in May 1955. Reimerath and its chapel are under the patronage of the Queen of the Rosary. These three historical dates offer a brief insight into the building’s origins and its fittings. When looking for a hotel in Reimerath, you can distinguish this local cultural landmark from the nature and hiking themes of the wider travel destination, the Volcanic Eifel.
Landscape and volcanism in the Volcanic Eifel
So far, 77 maars have been identified in the Volcanic Eifel. In addition, 350 eruption centers have been counted there, about 270 of them from the more recent phase. Ulmen Maar marks the most recent volcanic eruption in the Volcanic Eifel, which took place around 10,900 years ago. These figures and the timeline give the geological theme a regional dimension that goes beyond the history of a single place.
Around Kelberg, basalt peaks, gentle hills, and open plateaus reflect the area’s volcanic past. Hiking trails in the Kelberg area pass through forests and open stretches to viewpoints with sweeping panoramas of the Eifel. The cycling routes around Kelberg also combine nature experiences with regional history. Nature attractions elsewhere in the Volcanic Eifel include Gemünden Maar, with a water surface of about seven hectares, and Windsborn Crater Lake near Bettenfeld, the only natural crater lake north of the Alps. Gemünden Maar is the smallest of the three famous “Eyes of the Eifel.”
Hiking and cycling
The Eifelsteig runs from Aachen through the Volcanic Eifel to Trier. The Volcanic Eifel trails connect to it or branch off from it. They are marked and signposted, and include half-day hikes, day hikes, and multi-day hikes. The circular routes range from trails for less-trained hikers to tours for experienced sports hikers. The extensive network of certified trails leads to geological sights and remarkable natural treasures of the Volcanic Eifel.
One example with a specified duration is the Hochkelberg Panorama Trail: The 41-kilometer hike takes two days and loops around Hochkelberg between Niederehe, Kelberg, and Ulmen. Another specific distance is given for the eleventh stage of the Eifelsteig, from Daun to Manderscheid, at 23.4 kilometers. Both figures help you compare routes by distance; only the Panorama Trail also has a duration specified here.
Mountain biking is another regional activity: The Trailpark Volcanic Eifel trail network covers about 750 kilometers and more than 17,500 meters of elevation gain. As trail conditions can change, check the condition of your planned route before setting out.
Culture and experiences in the wider region
The History Road comprises nine themed circular hiking routes exploring the history of the Kelberg region. Another way to engage with a historical theme is the “1639 Sidonia – Misfortune over Kelberg” Escape Walk, a family puzzle activity in nature. Check before your trip whether the activity is available on your preferred date.
The museums of the Volcanic Eifel each focus on different subjects. The Eifel Volcano Museum in Daun displays three-dimensional landscape models of cinder cones, maars, and mineral springs, as well as exhibits on volcanism in the western Eifel. The Strohn Volcano House is an interactive museum featuring a lava fissure wall about 30,000 years old, around six meters long and four meters high. The Natural History Museum in Gerolstein, considered the largest and oldest geo-museum in the Eifel, displays stone artifacts from the region’s geological history across three floors.
Buildings and landscapes both feature in the region’s cultural offerings: Ulmen Castle Ruins rise above the steep shore of Ulmen Maar, and parts of the upper castle remain. The narrow Lieser valley separates the two Manderscheid castles, shaping how they relate to the surrounding nature.
Discover more destinations: Lirstal, Sassen, Berenbach, Welcherath, Mosbruch, Drees, BrĂĽcktal, Katzwinkel.
For the wider travel overview: Kelberg.
