Discover Oos: Springs Trail, Eifel Forest and Roman Traces

Explore Oos through several distinct themes: the Springs Trail through woodland and streams, the Roman history of Ausava, and local memorials such as the Rehkreuz. The St. Rochus fair is another local tradition. Hiking, cycling and culture each offer a different focus for your stay.

The Springs Trail through woodland and water

The Springs Trail loops around Oos and follows the Oosbach stream back to Müllenborn. This moderately difficult hike is listed as 6.6 kilometres long and taking two hours. These figures provide a concrete framework for planning your day; trail conditions may vary.

Along the way, the trail passes through deep Eifel forests, by springs and along the meandering Oosbach. Forest, spring areas and the stream are all part of the route’s described landscape. If you enjoy combining these kinds of natural features on a hike, the Springs Trail offers a clearly defined route with a specified distance and duration.

Hiking or road cycling

The “90 km Road Cycling Tour” is on a different scale: it is listed as a difficult road cycling route covering 90.6 kilometres. This puts two very different activity profiles side by side: a moderately difficult 6.6-kilometre hike taking two hours, and a long, difficult road cycling tour. Comparing them can help you decide on the activity level you want when planning your day and accommodation, rather than treating both tours as similar outings.

Ausava and the bell tower of St. Rochus Chapel

Roman Oos, Ausava, was a fortified rest stop on the main Roman road from Trier to Cologne. The bell tower of St. Rochus Chapel was once the watchtower of the rest stop that stood along this former Roman road. It is also the oldest building in the Vulkaneifel district. The history of this ancient route is therefore reflected both in the name Ausava and in a specific building.

Roman maps show Ausava as a fortified main settlement, rest stop and trading place. Services are held regularly at St. Rochus Chapel. The chapel thus combines an active religious purpose with the historical significance of its bell tower; these are two distinct aspects of the same place to consider during your stay.

Rehkreuz and the St. Rochus fair

The Rehkreuz offers another historical detail. The year 1692 is engraved on this Christian monument; it was renovated in its present form in 1992. The Rehkreuz stands on a hill, belongs to the municipality of Oos and is not far from the isolated settlement of “Denkelseifen.” Its inscription, renovation year and location provide several concrete clues for placing the monument in its historical and geographical context.

The St. Rochus fair is also one of the local traditions: it was held in Oos, as is customary, from 16 to 18 August 2024. If you want to plan your trip around a festival, check the announced dates for your travel year before making plans.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Densborn, Müllenborn, Rockeskyll, Birresborn, Kopp, Gees, Berlingen, Kalenborn-Scheuern.

For the higher-level travel overview: Gerolstein.