Willwerscheid: Hiking the Pfarrsteig

The Pfarrsteig gives a trip to Willwerscheid a clear focus on hiking. The challenging route connects Greimerath, Willwerscheid and Hasborn and is 16.6 kilometres long, or around 17 kilometres. The tour is shaped by the landscapes of the Vulkaneifel as well as historic religious landmarks. The hike is also suitable as preparation for longer pilgrimages, such as the Way of St. James.

Route and trail conditions

Landmarks along the way include wayside shrines, roadside crosses, chapels and open village churches. The Pfarrsteig passes through Willwerscheid and also follows a meadow path into the Hölzerbach Valley. It passes the Neuglück copper mine, follows the Hölzerbach to the Sammetbach and continues through the Sammetbach Valley.

Some sections of the Pfarrsteig follow natural trails that can become slippery in the rain. Shoes with good grip are recommended for the hike; trekking poles are advisable for downhill sections. As trail conditions and markings can change, check the current route before setting out. Given its length and difficulty, plan this as a standalone hike.

More topics in the wider Bernkastel-Wittlich destination

In the wider Bernkastel-Wittlich destination, the volcanic Eifel, the romantic Moselle Valley, and the Hunsrück with its abundant forests and meadows come together. Other hiking routes here also offer a range of trail profiles. The Manderscheider Burgenstieg is a 5.4-kilometre, moderately difficult circular route around the castles of Manderscheid; it is listed as taking two hours. Compared with the challenging Pfarrsteig, which is around 17 kilometres long, it is shorter and rated as moderately difficult. The Burgenklettersteig in Manderscheid has three stages and is around four kilometres long in total, with one kilometre secured by cables.

In the wider Bernkastel-Wittlich destination, the 816-metre-high Erbeskopf is a great place for hiking and offers a variety of winter sports. At the Erbeskopf in the wider Bernkastel-Wittlich destination, the National Park Gate provides information about nature and the environment. The interactive multimedia exhibition at the National Park Gate in the wider Bernkastel-Wittlich destination focuses on forests and moors.

Pilgrimages are also part of the region’s thematic offerings: the pilgrimage church of Maria Heimsuchung in Klausen was consecrated in 1502, and Klausen remains a destination for pilgrims every year. The Pfarrsteig is suitable as preparation for longer pilgrimages; Klausen adds the perspective of a pilgrimage destination visited annually.

Neumagen-Dhron is a centre of archaeological interest. The Noviomagi Museum takes visitors back to Roman times and displays original finds, including clay vessels and stone fragments from funerary monuments. The approximately 45-minute audio tour starts at the tourist information office and follows an archaeological circular route of around 800 metres past historic sites, monuments and finds. The STELLA NOVIOMAGI also offers a boat trip on the Moselle from Neumagen-Dhron.

For cycling trips, the Maare-Mosel Cycle Route runs for 58.5 kilometres from Daun to Bernkastel-Kues along a disused railway line. A cycle bus takes cyclists on the route from Bernkastel-Kues back to the starting point; the return trip can be booked in advance. Check the current service before planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Kövenig, Kinheim, Kinderbeuern, Hontheim, Bengel

Back to the wider travel overview: Kröv-Bausendorf.