Papiermühle: Chapels, History and Trails

Papiermühle can be explored through a wide range of discoveries: chapels with their own histories, archaeological traces, and routes that include the area in hiking and cycling tours. You can shape your stay around cultural history or active days.

Chapels and History in the Dhron Valley

The Chapel of St. Conrad of Parzham is near the confluence of the Kleine and Große Dhron rivers. It was consecrated on June 24, 1954, and renovated in 1986. Following its successful conversion to a new use, it is now a multifunctional space owned by the local municipality. The dates and its current use give this chapel a different historical character from the wayside chapel in Papiermühle.

The wayside chapel is a simple structure, closed on three sides, dating from the second half of the 19th century; its entrance has a pointed arch. Its wall decoration, made using the roller-stamp technique known as a pattern roller, is also distinctive and now rare. In this chapel, the architectural form and wall technique stand as separate cultural-historical details. By contrast, the image of St. Conrad is shaped above all by its documented history and conversion to a new use.

Archaeological finds are also part of the area's history. In 1974, eight graves were uncovered near Papiermühle on the western slope of the Dhron Valley, a few hundred meters before the village. The finds included fragments of jugs, bowls, pots and plates containing cremated human remains. Archaeologists interpreted the discovery as a section of a burial ground. This find offers a different way of accessing the past than the surviving chapels: here, the focus is on burial sites and their grave goods, rather than architectural form and use.

Hiking and Cycling on Different Routes

The circular hiking trail “Rund ums Dhrönchen” (Around Dhrönchen) passes through Zummethöhe, Dhrönchen, Heidenburg, Papiermühle and the Kron riding stable before returning to Zummethöhe. It forms a loop that starts and ends at the same point. These stops provide concrete orientation when you look at the route or want to include Papiermühle in your hiking plans.

Two different routes are described for cycling tours. The “Mosel-Radtour mit römischem Flair” (Moselle Cycle Tour with Roman Flair) passes below Hunolstein via Gräfendhron and Papiermühle, then returns to the Moselle and joins the Moselle Cycle Route in Neumagen-Dhron. The Nahe-Hunsrück-Mosel-Radweg, by contrast, starts in Papiermühle and follows the course of the Dhron to Neumagen-Dhron along a quiet farm track. The routes therefore differ in direction: one passes through Papiermühle on its way back to the Moselle, while the other begins there and follows the Dhron to Neumagen-Dhron. As road conditions can change, it is advisable to check the latest situation before setting off on a cycling tour.

Choose the Right Focus for Your Stay

If you are looking for accommodation for a trip to Papiermühle, your planned activities can help you decide. The chapels and the 1974 find offer cultural-historical points of interest; the circular hiking trail and the two cycling routes each follow different paths. Consider whether you would like to focus your stay more on these historical details or on hiking and cycling tours.

Discover more destinations: Piesport, Wehlen, Mülheim / Mosel, Monzelfeld, Minheim, Kesten, Lieser, Neumagen-Dhron

Explore the main travel overview: Bernkastel-Kues.