Holsthum: Between Rivers, Roman Times and Hops

Holsthum lies where the Enz flows into the Prüm in the South Eifel Nature Park. The river landscape and local history intersect in various ways: hiking trails pass hop fields and the remains of a Roman villa, while the Rochus Chapel is associated with a local commemorative tradition. This lets you take both nature and culture into account when planning your trip.

Explore the landscape on foot

In Holsthum, visitors can explore the landscape on ten local hiking trails covering a total of 82 kilometres. One specific example is Circular Hiking Trail No. 59: It starts in the centre of the village and runs past hop fields along the Prüm, over the Irrel Waterfalls and through the forest below Prümer Burg. It then crosses fields and orchard meadows, passes the remains of the Roman villa and returns to Holsthum.

The route’s stops offer a changing mix of riverside scenery, forest and open cultural landscapes. If you’d like to experience a variety of landscapes on foot during your stay, this trail offers a useful guide. The other local hiking trails add to the choice; together, they cover a stated total of 82 kilometres.

Roman times, a chapel and unusual rocks

The main building of a Roman villa rustica near Holsthum was built around 100 AD on a hillside high above the Prüm. The Rochus Chapel in Holsthum was built in 1866. Every year on the Monday of the village fair, a procession is held there in memory of the time of the plague. If you’d like to plan your trip around this tradition, check the date of this year’s village fair in advance.

The surrounding area also offers geological and cultural features of interest. Between Holsthum and Peffingen, Huwelslay lies on the western slope of the Heiderücken sandstone plateau. This geologically distinctive rock area features calcareous tufa formations; crust-like limestone deposits have formed an unusual grotto there. The Langenstein near Holsthum is described as a menhir; its name means “long stone” in Breton.

Hops and cycling routes for further interests

The Dick family began growing hops in the Holsthum district in 1966. Hops are therefore part of the area’s history; on Circular Hiking Trail No. 59, you’ll also encounter hop fields along the Prüm. Visitors can get to know the area on a distillery or hop-growing tour. Check the participation requirements before your trip.

Holsthum lies on the Prüm Valley Cycle Route. Another cycling route connected with the area is the Enz Cycle Route: From Pronsfeld to Holsthum, it follows the river through quiet valleys, picturesque villages and historic landscapes between the Islekhöhen and the Prüm Valley. Both cycle routes can help cycling travellers decide where to search.

More to discover in the Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm

The wider travel destination of Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm offers independent excursions and cultural attractions that provide a broader view of the region. The Devonium in Waxweiler presents complex ideas in palaeontology and the science of fossil life in an engaging way. One-hour guided tours at the Mühlenberger Stollen Bleialf visitor mine take visitors into the mine and explain ore mining in Bleialf, from geology to applied technology.

The Rittersdorf moated castle, around 700 years old, has remained almost unchanged since it was built and offers a glimpse of late medieval and Renaissance domestic culture. The castle has a privately run restaurant serving refined regional cuisine; check whether it is open before visiting.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Ernzen, Bollendorf.

View the wider travel overview: Irrel.