Oberlascheid: Hiking, Chapel and Local History

Oberlascheid is located in the Hohes Venn-Eifel Nature Park, right on the Belgian border and at an elevation of around 530 metres above sea level. Hiking trails and a remarkable local history give this small destination a clear focus.

Hiking trails and finding your way around

Several hiking trails pass through Oberlascheid, including the Bachpfad trail. There are three shelters and five benches in the municipality for hikers. Check the condition of each facility locally before planning to use one as a definite resting point. The roads can also help you find your way: Oberlascheid and Radscheid are on district road 104. Radscheid was first mentioned in 1287 under the name “Rottescheid.”

The specific hiking trail is therefore an important factor in your plans. If you enjoy combining different experiences, you can plan your stay around the trails and Oberlascheid’s historical traces, rather than choosing accommodation based on just one attraction.

Chapel, the history of the name and traditions

The Chapel of St Stephen is a legally protected cultural monument. The nave and choir took on their present form around 1848; older parts were probably incorporated at that time. A figure of St Gangolph is located by the entrance, with a depiction of the Throne of Mercy above it. These details tell the story of the building and the religious imagery of the village, without tying them to a single point in time.

Oberlascheid was first mentioned in a document in 1187 as “langescheit.” A religious tradition has also left its mark: devotion to St Arnulfus once drew pilgrims to Oberlascheid and gave rise to the nickname “Schwingslascheid.” Burgbrennen is another local tradition. It involves a large bonfire on the first Sunday after Carnival; specific dates and public arrangements may vary.

Another historical trace is the former schoolhouse with a teacher’s residence at Ortsstraße 14. The building dates from 1887 and is now a private residence. Together with the chapel, it offers a picture of the different layers of local history.

More to explore in the Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm

If you would like to explore more than hiking and local history, the wider destination of Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm offers a variety of themes. At the Mühlenberger Stollen Bleialf visitor mine, a mining trail with numerous information boards introduces visitors to the area’s mining history. One-hour guided tours through the mine explain ore extraction in Bleialf, from geology to applied technology. Check seasonal information and tour times before planning your visit.

The Devonium in Waxweiler presents complex concepts in palaeontology and the science of fossil life in a fun, accessible way. The Westwall Museum offers a different historical focus: housed on three accessible levels of a bunker, it features a military history exhibition in underground corridors and rooms. The around 700-year-old Rittersdorf moated castle has remained almost unchanged since it was built, offering an impressive insight into late medieval and modern Renaissance domestic culture. It also has a privately run restaurant serving fine regional cuisine; check that the restaurant is open before your trip.

This lets you choose the kind of stay you are looking for without confusing the different places and what they offer.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Pronsfeld, Brandscheid, Gondenbrett, Fleringen, Obermehlen, Lasel, Willwerath, Nimsreuland

Back to the wider travel overview: Prüm.