Kottenheim: Basalt History and Rock Labyrinth

Kottenheim’s Winfeld combines a rocky landscape with a long history of basalt quarrying. The Traumpfad Vulkanpfad trail winds through the rock labyrinth of the old quarry; climbers also make use of the sometimes steep cliffs. This gives your trip a clear focus: landscape, the history of raw materials and outdoor activities. The wider Mayen-Koblenz destination also offers distinct cultural themes.

Kottenheim’s Winfeld: A Quarry Landscape Steeped in History

Winfeld is a former quarrying area within the municipality of Kottenheim. It lies in a wooded area between Ettringen and Kottenheim. Striking basalt rocks define the old quarry, and the Traumpfad Vulkanpfad trail runs through its rock labyrinth. Today’s landscape and its former use are thus part of the same story.

Basalt lava was already being quarried in Winfeld during the Neolithic period to make grinding stones. Much later, from the 1850s to the 1960s, basalt was quarried there on a large scale. These two periods illustrate different aspects of the history of raw materials: the early use of the material for grinding stones and the later large-scale quarrying. For families travelling with children, this contrast in time periods can be a topic for conversation: What was basalt lava used for, and when did large-scale quarrying begin?

Climbing Rocks, the Vulkanpfad Trail and the History of the Caves

Kottenheim’s Winfeld has climbing routes of varying difficulty, and climbers make use of the sometimes steep cliffs. If you plan to climb, check the conditions before your visit. Climbing and the Traumpfad trail offer different experiences: the cliffs on one hand, and the path through the old quarry’s labyrinth on the other.

Another part of the town’s history is the Siewe Stuwe caves on Kottenheimer Büden. During the Second World War, the caves served as air-raid shelters and were equipped with camp beds, shelves and stoves. The Siewe Stuwe are currently inaccessible because of rockfalls. Their former furnishings are part of the story of their use as shelters.

Culture and Volcanism in the Wider Mayen-Koblenz Destination

Distinct places in the wider Mayen-Koblenz destination broaden the range of themes. The Lava-Dome in Mendig is the German Volcano Museum. Genovevaburg Castle was built in 1280 by Heinrich von Finstingen, Archbishop of Trier, and is one of Mayen’s landmarks. The Sayner Hütte in Bendorf represents industrial heritage: it is an anchor point on the European Route of Industrial Heritage and the only monument in Rhineland-Palatinate to receive this distinction. Following restoration, modern exhibitions and multimedia presentations invite visitors to explore. Alongside Kottenheim’s quarrying history, there are therefore further volcanic, medieval and industrial themes to discover.

Search for Accommodation Based on Your Travel Interests

When searching for accommodation in Kottenheim, you can decide on your focus in advance: would you like your stay to centre on Winfeld’s landscape, climbing rocks and quarrying history, or would you like to include other volcanic and cultural sites in the wider Mayen-Koblenz area?

Discover more destinations: Niederfell, Koblenz, Mülheim-Kärlich, Bermel, Kerben, Monreal, Kollig, Volkesfeld

View the wider travel overview: Mayen-Koblenz.