Schönberg in the Our Valley: Nature, Trails and Village History

Schönberg combines the landscape of the Our Valley with a remarkable village history and diverse opportunities for hiking and cycling tours. The village is situated in a hilly landscape of forests and meadows and stretches along the Our, which is accompanied by numerous wetlands. Those looking for a holiday apartment in Schönberg can therefore plan their trip according to different interests: with culture in the village, active routes through the valley or nature observations along streams and river meanders.

Village History Surrounding St. George’s Parish Church

Schönberg is considered one of the oldest villages in the middle Our Valley. St. George’s Parish Church provides a particular cultural highlight; it was completed in 1828 according to plans by the famous Prussian architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel. The baptismal chapel houses the Pietà of Schönberg, a statue of the Virgin Mary from the first half of the 16th century that was rescued from the castle chapel. This gives the village a specific point of interest for travellers who would like to combine their stay with regional history and sacred art.

Six illustrated information boards on the village square help visitors find their bearings in the village. They explain the fauna and flora of the Our Valley in German, French and Dutch. Below Calvary Hill, behind the parish centre, there are also the seven Stations of the Cross. They were moved to their present location in 1995. Those travelling with children can include the renovated miniature golf course in their daily plans: it was completely renovated in 2023 and is located by the church in the village centre, opposite the playground.

Hiking among Stream Floodplains, Meadows and the Our

The natural surroundings of Schönberg can be experienced along a variety of routes. The Nordic walking park in the upper Our Valley comprises four routes ranging from 5.3 to 13.5 kilometres in length and with varying levels of difficulty. This allows you to choose between shorter and longer outings when planning your activities, without having to commit to just one type of route. The Großweberbach Valley can be explored on numerous hiking routes; the Großweberbach nature reserve there covers more than 20 hectares of stream floodplains.

Individual trails also focus on particular aspects of the landscape. The Genusstour 05 route follows the Kleinweberbach through hay meadows, mixed forests and streams. In the upper reaches of the Our, largely untouched meanders have formed, providing a habitat for numerous species. Those who prefer a longer hike can plan the GR 56 hiking route from Schönberg to Burg-Reuland; it leads through the Our Valley. These differences help when choosing suitable accommodation: Depending on the desired itinerary, the focus can be on village culture, a hiking route or the natural environment.

Cycle Paths Connecting to Regional Routes

For cycling travellers, the Vennbahn connection Schönberg–Steinebrück cycle route begins in Schönberg. It follows the Our towards Amelscheid. From Schönberg to Steinebrück, there are connections to the Vennbahn, the RAVeL cycle network and the Eifel-Ardennes Cycle Route. From Steinebrück, the Eifel-Ardennes Cycle Route leads towards Burg-Reuland and St. Vith. Those looking for a holiday apartment for an active stay can consider these routes when choosing Schönberg, alongside the hiking opportunities and natural areas in the Our Valley.

For further travel planning, it is also worth taking a look at Recht. Schönberg itself offers a variety of themes for a varied stay, including the church, village square, Stations of the Cross, miniature golf, stream landscapes and the paths along the Our.

For the general travel overview: Sankt Vith.