Dohr: Trails, the Ellerbach and Village History

Dohr lies in a hollow on the Eifel plateau, framed by the Ellerbach. Cycling and hiking trails around the village meet a history that can be traced through its chapel, St. Nicholas Church, bakehouse and coat of arms.

Trails around Dohr

There are established cycling and hiking trails in and around Dohr. The routes lead toward the Ellerbach and Moselle valleys, as well as toward the golf park on the Ediger-Eller heights. These directions offer different options for planning your day: you can explore the trails around the village or plan your route around one of the destinations mentioned. Dohr is accessible via the B 259 and K 18 roads.

The Ellerbach shapes the village’s landscape, while Dohr itself lies in a hollow on the Eifel plateau. During your stay, you can focus on both the trails around the village and the historical stories connected with its buildings and symbols. Choose what to make the focus of your day based on the experiences that interest you.

The Chapel and St. Nicholas Church

A chapel in Dohr was first mentioned around 1475 as a subsidiary church of Cochem parish. The chapel was destroyed in 1720. The church tower was destroyed in 1852 and rebuilt the following year. St. Nicholas Church underwent extensive restoration in 1964, and three new bells were added that same year. These dates tell the story of several chapters in the village’s church history, from the chapel’s early mention to the restoration work and bells of the 1960s.

St. Nicholas Church is open during the day from Monday to Sunday. Local arrangements may change, so check the opening information before your visit.

The bakehouse as part of village life

The Dohr bakehouse once stood directly in front of the church. It contained two ovens. On the evening before baking day, villagers drew lots to determine the order in which they would use the bakehouse. The bakehouse was also a place to meet and communicate. Together with the church, it formed the centre of village life in Dohr. The story is therefore about more than baking: it also shows how communal use was organized and where people gathered to exchange news.

Dohr’s coat of arms also reflects local history: a stylized Celtic wall recalls the Celtic origin of the village’s name. The black floral ornament is based on the chalice of the subsidiary church and points to the village’s former affiliation with Cochem parish. In the Ellerbach valley, the Dohr mill ceased operations in 1927; its ruins still remain.

In the wider Cochem-Zell destination

Another cultural highlight in the wider Cochem-Zell destination is Cochem Imperial Castle. In the 19th century, Louis Ravené restored and rebuilt it in the Neo-Gothic style as part of the castle revival movement. The interior rooms open to visitors include the Knights’ Hall, dining hall, hunting room and ladies’ chamber. On Fridays and Saturdays, the castle hosts rustic medieval banquets under the name “Gasterey nach Art der alten Rittersleut.” As the schedule may change, check the dates before your trip.

Nature lovers will also find a seasonal point of interest in Cochem-Zell: the Jungferweiher is an important breeding and resting area for numerous bird species, especially during spring and autumn migration. The Cochem holiday region offers other kinds of excursions, too: cycling along the river, vineyard paths stretching for kilometres with views of ruins, castles and the Moselle, and boat trips on the Moselle.

The Moselsteig is 365 kilometres long and divided into 24 stages between Perl and Koblenz. Five stages in the Cochem holiday region are described as having distinct characteristics. The visitor programme, published in July 2025, can help you find your way: it lists suitable bus or train services for many tourist attractions in Cochem-Zell.

Choose accommodation to suit your travel interests

When looking for accommodation in Dohr, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your trip. If you’re interested in trails around the village and its church history, bakehouse or coat of arms, Dohr offers specific points of interest. If your itinerary also includes cycling along the river, vineyard paths or boat trips, you can also consider the options in the Cochem holiday region. This way, you can choose your destination based on the experiences that matter to you, rather than combining local history and regional excursions into a single theme.

Discover more destinations: Ediger-Eller, Senheim, Faid, Ernst, Valwig, Briedern, Klotten, Bruttig-Fankel.

View the wider travel overview: Cochem.