Nohn: Mill History, Church Art and Hiking

Nohn brings together the history of a former watermill, special details in its churches and opportunities to hike through the gently flowing landscape of the Volcanic Eifel. You can explore the surrounding area on foot. There is plenty to choose from, ranging from art and architectural history to a circular hike with a specified time frame—so you can tailor your stay to your interests.

The Mill, Café and Church Art

The former watermill on the Ahbach is used as a seminar house; please check in advance whether it is currently operating. Café Nohner Mühle is known for its waffles, homemade cakes and savoury snacks. As the offerings may change, it is advisable to check for current information before visiting. If you would like to visit the mill itself, it is best to check the current visiting options in advance.

The parish church of St. Martinus in Nohn was built in 1781 to replace an older church. Its tower dates back to an earlier Gothic building; a Neo-Romanesque portal was added in the 19th century. Different periods can also be discovered inside: the Baroque pulpit comes from the older church, and the pews have carved end pieces dating from the 18th century.

The Baroque organ was built around 1720 as a choir organ for St. Matthias Abbey in Trier and came to Nohn in 1868. Another landmark in the area’s architectural history is the chapel at Nohner Mühle: it was built in 1804 after a flood and extensively restored between 2003 and 2006. Heyerberg Chapel was rebuilt in 1874–1875; there are 14 Stations of the Cross along the approach and in the forecourt.

Hiking with Clear Details

The signposted 13-kilometre circular hike “Around Mordhügel” starts and ends at the community centre on Kirchstraße. The route is listed as taking about 3 hours and 20 minutes. Stops along the way include a former basalt quarry, a water-filled quarry lake and information boards about the history of basalt mining. At the start, the trail follows the Nohner Bach; on the return, it runs along the Ahbach and past Nohner Mühle.

At Nürburgblick, there is a view of the Nürburg ruins, described as about 12 kilometres away. A second circular hike, “Around Nohn: Water, Wide Horizons, Incense,” also starts and ends at the community centre on Kirchstraße. This gives you two named circular routes to choose from, both with the same start and end point; the Mordhügel route also has a stated distance and approximate duration.

Landscape and Nature Watching

From spring to autumn, red kites can be spotted above Nohn, particularly in the morning and evening; their numbers may vary. Migrating cranes are a seasonal natural feature around Nohn in autumn. These changes through the year give the landscape a different character depending on when you visit.

The Dreimühlen Waterfall is a geological attraction in its own right. It is designated a natural monument and is considered Europe’s northernmost calcareous tufa deposit. Three karst springs have created a sinter bank approximately 300 metres long and 100 metres wide. The waterfall formed after three spring channels were joined during construction of the railway line to Jünkerath; the line opened in 1912. As calcareous sinter accumulates on moss cushions, the waterfall advances down the valley by about 8 to 10 centimetres each year.

Getting Started

Free parking is available at the church in Nohn; there is also a car park at Nohner Mühle on the L68. As trail and parking conditions may change, check them before setting out. When planning your trip, it may help to consider what you would like your stay to focus on: a specific hiking route, the churches and chapels, or nature watching at a particular time of year?

Discover more destinations: Ellscheid, Gillenfeld, Saxler, Steineberg, Wallenborn, Bleckhausen, Betteldorf, Dreis-Brück

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