Großlittgen: Himmerod Abbey, Nature Trails and Pilgrimage Cycle Route

Großlittgen and Himmerod have been connected through their communal affiliation since 1802. The history of the abbey, nature experiences, and routes on foot or by bike give your trip different focuses. You can decide whether to include Himmerod’s history, a themed nature trail, or a longer tour in your plans.

Himmerod: History and Culture

Großlittgen was first documented in 912 under the name Lutiaco. Himmerod has belonged to the civil municipality of Großlittgen since 1802 and is considered a religious, intellectual, and cultural center with more than 850 years of history. The location in the Salm Valley was chosen because of its secluded grounds, which suited the Cistercian ideals of seclusion. The first monks developed agriculture and crafts; at the same time, the Salm provided the hydropower essential to the abbey’s self-sufficient economy.

The abbey church was consecrated in 1751 and is considered the largest Baroque church in the Rhineland. The abbey also includes a small shrine chapel, which people visit in search of comfort. The Old Mill is the oldest surviving abbey building; it was converted into a museum in 1998. Individual visitors can learn more about Himmerod and the Cistercians there. Check the current visiting arrangements before your visit. The museum has enamel and bronze collections as well as changing exhibitions; their contents may change.

Nature Trails, Hiking and Cycling

The “Preserving Creation” themed trail brings together forest, water, and meadows for a sensory nature experience. Signs featuring biblical texts and information boards complement the route and also explain the habitats of rare animal and plant species. The route leads from the Weiden Chapel below the abbey grounds to Molitors Mühle and back. Those who want to experience nature alongside religious reflections will find a different focus here than on a longer hiking or cycling route.

Other hiking routes lead through deciduous and coniferous forests into the Vordereifel and the Volcanic Eifel. The landscapes along the way include maars and nature and water conservation areas. One specific stage is the Eifelsteig: its twelfth stage ends in Himmerod, in Großlittgen, after covering 18.2 kilometers from Manderscheid and crossing the Lieser Valley and volcanic Eifel landscapes. This makes Himmerod not only a place of abbey history, but also the destination of this hiking stage.

For cyclists, the Eifel Pilgrimage Cycle Route starts at Himmerod Abbey in Großlittgen. It connects the abbey with the pilgrimage church in Klausen and runs for 42.62 kilometers to Klosterhof Siebenborn. The two routes can be distinguished by their different itineraries: the Eifelsteig stage runs from Manderscheid to Himmerod, while the cycle route starts in Himmerod. Check the latest route details before setting out.

Getting to Großlittgen and Hotels

The Regioline connects Großlittgen with Morbach, Bernkastel, Wittlich, Manderscheid, and Daun. Bus 300 runs from Wittlich main station to Großlittgen; Bus 303 continues to Himmerod Abbey. Check current routes and timetables before traveling.

Großlittgen has hotels, restaurants, bakeries with cafés, and shops for visitors. Individual businesses and offerings may change. The local attractions provide a clear guide for planning your trip: Himmerod is known for its abbey history and museum, while the routes described offer different ways to experience nature, hiking, and cycling.

Discover more destinations: Greimerath, Oberscheidweiler, Eisenschmitt, Pantenburg, Niederscheidweiler, Laufeld, Eckfeld, Meerfeld

Go to the main travel overview: Manderscheid.