Discover Rittersdorf: Castle, pilgrimage and two circular trails

Rittersdorf offers special ways to combine culture and activity on a trip: Bildchen has been a pilgrimage site since the 18th century, Rittersdorf Castle connects local history with recurring knightly banquets, and two circular trails differ in length and character. A marked geographical point on Prümer Straße adds another attraction. This gives you a choice between architectural and pilgrimage traditions, a hike through the Bitburger Gutland and a shorter circuit with fitness stations.

Pilgrimage, a castle and a special landmark

The 50th parallel runs through Rittersdorf along Prümer Straße, where it is marked and signposted. Rittersdorf is also part of the South Eifel Nature Park. Bildchen has been used as a pilgrimage site since the 18th century. The present-day pilgrimage chapel was rebuilt in 1908/10 and renovated in 1982. The site thus brings together a long pilgrimage tradition and the architectural history of the present-day chapel.

In the wider travel destination of Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm, the water castle of Rittersdorf, around 700 years old, has remained almost unchanged since it was built. It offers an impressive insight into late-medieval and Renaissance domestic culture of the modern era. The castle houses a restaurant serving fine regional cuisine and a small museum about local history. Check the restaurant and museum’s current opening arrangements before your visit.

Rittersdorf Castle regularly provides the setting for large knightly banquets. If you would like to attend one, check the dates before your trip. The castle is therefore not only a cultural and historical landmark, but also a venue for recurring events. The restaurant and museum add food and local history to the experience; check their current offerings in advance as well.

Two circular trails with different highlights

Hiking Trail 79 in the South Eifel Nature Park is a moderately difficult 11.7-kilometre circular trail. It starts and ends at the car park by Rittersdorf Castle. Check the signposting and parking arrangements before setting out. The trail crosses plateaus and passes through the Bitburger Gutland, where the landscape is shaped by wide fields, meadows and scattered fruit trees.

Trail 79 follows a staircase from Waxweiler Straße, passing St. Martin’s parish church. Along the way, there are repeated panoramic views across fields, forests, valleys and hills, with Bitburg visible on the horizon. Several places to eat are located along the route. As businesses and opening hours may change, check which options suit your day before setting out.

The Rittersdorf Fitness Trail is an approximately 7-kilometre circular route for walking and running. Along the way, you’ll find fitness equipment, wave-shaped benches and scenic spots. The starting point is Rittersdorf Castle, where parking is available; an orientation map is located by the playground. Check current parking arrangements and the condition of the recreational facilities on site.

The two circular trails are easy to compare when choosing a route: at around 7 kilometres, the Fitness Trail is the shorter circuit, while Trail 79 covers 11.7 kilometres and is rated moderately difficult. They also differ in character: the Fitness Trail includes exercise equipment and wave-shaped benches, while Trail 79 crosses plateaus and the Bitburger Gutland and passes the parish church. This lets you plan your hike around your preferred distance and the landscape and cultural highlights along each route.

Discover more destinations

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Back to the wider travel overview: Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm.