Leimbach: Cycling Routes, Hill Country and Tunnel History
Accommodation in Leimbach
Leimbach brings together the landscape of the Southern Eifel Nature Park and a distinctive trace of railway history. Gentle hills shape the village; in Weidendell, a hamlet of Leimbach, a narrow valley lies directly beside the Enz. The Enz Valley Cycle Route runs there along a former railway line and passes through a historic railway tunnel. Cycling, hiking and local history give the place several distinct sides to weigh up when planning your trip.
Weidendell: Enz Valley Cycle Route and Railway Tunnel
In Weidendell, the Enz Valley Cycle Route follows a former railway line and passes through a historic tunnel. The Weidendell Tunnel near Leimbach is 125 metres long and lies on the former railway line between Pronsfeld and Neuerburg. The line associated with it was officially opened on 6 July 1907 and closed on 28 May 1989. From 2002, the former railway line was converted into a cycle path.
The structure itself also reflects the connection between history and today’s cycling route: the tunnel portals are well preserved, and the space above the tunnel provides shelter for bats. The preserved tunnel is considered one of the highlights of the Enz Valley Cycle Route. If you enjoy discovering traces of history by bike, you’ll find a tangible point of interest here, rather than just an abstract history of the route.
Hiking around Leimbach
There are also various ways to explore the area on foot: numerous hiking trails pass through the varied landscape of the Southern Eifel, and gorges are popular hiking destinations around Leimbach. The narrow valley of Weidendell and the hilly countryside offer a different experience from cycling along the former railway line. You can plan your trip around whether you’d rather explore hiking trails and gorges or focus on the cycle route and its railway history.
The wider Southern Eifel offers a different setting for longer bike tours. The Enz Cycle Route follows the river through quiet valleys, idyllic villages and historic landscapes. Between Pronsfeld and Neuerburg, it includes a section along a former railway line with two tunnels. Combined with the PrĂĽm Cycle Route, it can form a circular tour of three to four days. This multi-day option is a separate way to plan a trip, alongside the hiking trails around Leimbach.
More places to explore in the Eifelkreis Bitburg-PrĂĽm
In the Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm, cultural and educational attractions complement the nature and cycling options. The Mühlenberger Stollen Bleialf Visitor Mine has a mining trail with numerous information panels about the area’s mining history. During one-hour guided tours, you can learn about ore mining in Bleialf, from geology to applied technology. Check the current tour dates before visiting.
The Devonium in Waxweiler presents complex concepts in palaeontology and the science of fossil life in a playful way. The Westwall Museum features a military history exhibition across three accessible floors of a bunker, as well as underground passageways and rooms. These different themes provide another way to shape your plans if you want to give your trip in the Eifelkreis a broader focus.
The approximately 700-year-old Rittersdorf moated castle has remained almost unchanged since it was built. It offers an impressive picture of late medieval and modern Renaissance domestic culture. The castle also has a privately run restaurant serving fine country cuisine; check whether the restaurant is open before your trip.
Use these choices to guide your search for accommodation in Leimbach.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Nusbaum, Kruchten, Karlshausen, HĂĽttingen Bei Lahr, Nasingen, GemĂĽnd, Berkoth, Rodershausen
For the main travel overview: Neuerburg.
