Reimerath: Chapel History and the Volcanic Eifel

The Catholic branch chapel of St. Mary, Queen of the Rosary, gives Reimerath a tangible cultural and historical landmark. Several precise dates trace the history of its construction and furnishings. As a broader travel destination, the Volcanic Eifel also opens up opportunities to explore volcanic landscapes, hiking trails and museums.

A Chapel with a History of Its Own

Construction of the chapel began in August 1950, and it was built in 1950–51. It was consecrated in September 1951, and the bells were added in May 1955. Reimerath and its chapel are under the patronage of the Queen of the Rosary. Thus, a clearly dated building history and an explicitly named religious dedication come together in one place. Those interested in local cultural history will find a tangible starting point here, rather than an abstract overview of the past.

Volcanic Landscapes in the Broader Travel Destination of the Volcanic Eifel

The landscape of the Volcanic Eifel can also be viewed through the lens of its geological history. To date, 77 maar lakes have been identified there; a further 350 eruption centres have been counted, around 270 of them from the more recent phase. The Ulmen Maar marks the most recent volcanic eruption in the Volcanic Eifel, which occurred around 10,900 years ago. These figures give a sense of the landscape’s long development, which you can encounter through regional nature and cultural attractions.

Individual lakes and landforms also have their own distinctive features: the Gemündener Maar has a water surface of around seven hectares and is the smallest of the three famous “Eyes of the Eifel.” The Windsborn crater lake near Bettenfeld is the only natural crater lake north of the Alps. Around Kelberg, basalt knolls, gentle hills and open plateaus reflect the volcanic past. These varied examples show that the region’s landscape cannot be reduced to a single type of crater or a single panorama.

Hiking Routes for Different Timeframes

A dense network of certified hiking trails in the Volcanic Eifel leads to geological sights and special natural attractions. The Eifelsteig runs from Aachen through the Volcanic Eifel to Trier; the Volcanic Eifel trails connect to it or branch off from it. These trails are marked and signposted. They include half-day hikes, day hikes and multi-day treks. The stated range of circular routes caters to everyone from less-trained hikers to experienced long-distance hikers.

The individual routes also vary in length and duration. The eleventh stage of the Eifelsteig runs from Daun to Manderscheid and is 23.4 kilometres long. By contrast, the Hochkelberg Panorama Trail is a 41-kilometre, two-day hike around the Hochkelberg between Niederehe, Kelberg and Ulmen. When planning, you can compare a specified route length with a stated hiking duration.

Around Kelberg: Trails, History and Puzzles

Hiking trails around Kelberg pass through forests and open areas to viewpoints with sweeping panoramas of the Eifel. Cycling routes in the area combine nature experiences with regional history. Dreesplatz in Kelberg-Rothenbach lies along hiking and cycling routes. For those interested in culture, the Geschichtsstraße comprises nine themed circular routes exploring the history of the Kelberg region.

Another way to engage with the region is the “1639 Sidonia – Misfortune over Kelberg” Escape Walk, a family puzzle activity in nature. Check the availability of this activity before your trip. In Daun, the Eifel Volcano Museum displays three-dimensional landscape models of cinder cones, maars and mineral springs, as well as exhibits on West Eifel volcanism. The interactive Strohn Volcano House showcases a lava fissure wall around 30,000 years old, approximately six metres long and four metres high. The two museums focus on different things: landscape models and exhibits at one, and a striking geological display at the other.

Choose the Focus of Your Trip

When choosing accommodation, it can help to first decide what kind of trip you want: local history, a hike with a clearly stated timeframe, cycling, museums or a puzzle activity. Then consider which of the places and experiences mentioned you would like to shape your stay. This way, you can tailor your accommodation search to your own travel plans.

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Back to the broader travel overview: Kelberg.