Discover Strickscheid: Open Plateau and Railway History

Open Plateau and Railway History

Strickscheid lies on an open plateau and preserves a striking testament to transport history in its railway viaduct. The five-arch viaduct was built in 1907 and is now used as a footpath and cycle path. The elevated setting and the structure offer two very different starting points for exploring the area.

Strickscheid’s origins are thought to date back to the clearing period of the late Middle Ages, in the 12th or 13th century. At the same time, settlement remains and burial mounds attest to prehistoric and Roman-era habitation. The village’s ecclesiastical history can also be traced through specific dates: until 1788, it belonged to the old parish of Pronsfeld; in 1808, Strickscheid was assigned to the newly established independent parish of Lünebach.

About one kilometre east of Strickscheid, the access route passes through a narrow valley. This creates a marked contrast between the village’s open elevated setting and the valley section along the approach. If you plan to use the viaduct as a footpath or cycle path, check the current conditions before your visit.

Cycling Routes and Railway Traces

Strickscheid’s railway history extends beyond the viaduct: until the 1960s, a railway line ran from Pronsfeld via Arzfeld to Neuerburg, passing through Strickscheid. Nearby Pronsfeld is home to the Railway Museum, which explores the history of railways in Pronsfeld since 1886. The former railway station grounds are also freely accessible. If you plan to visit, check access in advance.

Another cycling option in the region is the Enz Cycle Route. The 46.6-kilometre route runs from Pronsfeld to Holsthum and is rated easy. Between the Islek heights and the Prümtal valley, it follows the river through quiet valleys, picturesque villages and historic landscapes. As a general guide for the Eifel, cycle paths on former railway lines usually have gradients of less than 2.5 percent and are almost entirely paved; individual sections may differ. Check the latest route information before planning your trip.

More Cultural Attractions in the Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm

In the wider Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm destination, the Mühlenberger Stollen Bleialf visitor mine adds mining to the area’s railway history. During one-hour guided tours, visitors learn about ore mining in Bleialf, from geology to applied technology. The visitor mine also includes a mining trail with numerous information panels about the area’s mining history. Check the tour schedule in advance.

The Devonium in Waxweiler presents complex concepts in palaeontology and the science of fossil life in an engaging, interactive way. The Westwall Museum offers a different historical focus: housed across three accessible levels of a bunker, it features a military history exhibition in underground corridors and rooms. The Eifelkreis thus brings together a range of themes: fossil life, mining and military history.

The water castle of Rittersdorf, around 700 years old, has remained almost unchanged since it was built. It offers a vivid picture of late medieval and Renaissance domestic culture in the early modern period. The castle houses a privately run restaurant serving refined country cuisine; check before your trip whether the restaurant will be open during your visit.

When choosing your accommodation, start by deciding what you want to focus on: would you mainly like to explore Strickscheid’s local and railway history, or include other cultural attractions in the Eifelkreis? Then compare the accommodation’s location with the places you plan to visit.

Discover More Destinations

Olmscheid, Daleiden, Preischeid, Jucken, Herzfeld, Lauperath, Lichtenborn, Harspelt

Back to the wider travel overview: Arzfeld.