Sankt Thomas in the Kyll Valley: Hiking and Monastery History

In Sankt Thomas, named trails in the Kyll Valley meet the history of the former Cistercian nunnery. When planning your trip, you can choose between a nature trail, a circular route around the village and a focus on history. You can also plan your journey using the train, bus and road connections.

Hiking and Cycling in the Kyll Valley

The signposted St. Thomas Nature Trail is 2.5 kilometres long and runs through the Heilenbach Valley in the Zwischen Ueß und Kyll landscape conservation area. The St. Thomas Monastery Circular Route leads from the monastery through the Kyll Valley and loops around Sankt Thomas. On the route, wooded sections alternate with wide-ranging views across the Kyll Valley. The two hiking trails differ in their routes: the nature trail runs through the Heilenbach Valley, while the monastery circular route loops around the village and offers views into the valley.

The Kyll Valley Cycle Path runs directly through Sankt Thomas and is mostly flat. This provides a named cycling route through the village in addition to the hiking trails. Hiking and cycling routes also include viewpoints overlooking Sankt Thomas; circular tours start in both Sankt Thomas and nearby Kyllburg. At a viewpoint overlooking Sankt Thomas in the Kyll Valley, there is a place to sit and rest.

For planning your day, there are different points to consider: the nature trail has a specified length, the monastery circular route focuses on its loop and views of the Kyll Valley, and the cycle path runs directly through Sankt Thomas. You can take these features into account when choosing hikes and cycling tours for your stay.

Getting to Sankt Thomas

The start of the western loop is about 70 metres from Sankt Thomas station and can be reached by public transport. The station connects to the Eifel railway line between Trier and Cologne; trains run hourly in both directions. Check the timetable before travelling to make sure the connection suits your plans.

Sankt Thomas can also be reached via the VRT bus network in the western Eifel. For travel by car, state road 24 runs through the Kyll Valley; the A60 can be reached via the Badem junction. Trains, buses and cars offer different options for getting there, and the nearby station is also convenient for starting the western loop.

Monastery History and Church

The former Cistercian nunnery in Sankt Thomas was founded around 1185. A fire destroyed the former abbey in 1742; only the church remained standing. The history of the village therefore includes both its medieval foundation and the later upheaval caused by the fire.

A relic of Thomas Becket is set into the church’s altar behind a cross-shaped medallion. Another historical artefact is the medieval prayer book from St. Thomas: it dates to around 1300 and contains the oldest known form of the Rosary of the Life of Jesus. The manuscript is kept in Trier.

The surviving church, the relic and the prayer book offer different insights into the history of the monastery. When planning your stay, you can consider this historical focus alongside the hiking and cycling trails.

Discover more destinations: Krautscheid, Speicher, Sevenig Bei Neuerburg, Kyllburg, Wallendorf, Waxweiler, Prüm, Seffern

Go to the main travel overview: Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm.