Holsthum: Hiking, Roman History and Hops
Accommodation in Holsthum
Holsthum lies at the confluence of the Enz and the Prüm in the South Eifel Nature Park. Hiking trails through river landscapes, the history of a Roman estate and hop growing shape different aspects of the village. This gives you several themes to consider when planning your holiday: you can discover Holsthum through hiking, cycling routes, cultural history or local specialities.
Rock Landscapes and Hop Growing
In the nearby area, between Holsthum and Peffingen, Huwelslay lies on the western slope of the Heiderücken sandstone plateau. This rock formation is geologically distinctive, with calc sinter formation and a bizarre grotto created by crust-like calcareous deposits. Those interested in how rock and stone are shaped will find a different subject here from the trails along the Prüm.
Hops are also part of the village’s history. The Dick family began growing hops in the Holsthum district in 1966. The cultivation area has since grown to around 20 hectares. Visitors can get to know Holsthum on a distillery or hop farm tour. This means a stay can focus not only on nature and history, but also on local cultivation and distilleries.
Hiking on Local Trails
Holsthum has ten local hiking trails with a total length of 82 km. Circular Hiking Trail No. 59 starts in the village centre and passes hop fields along the Prüm, the Irrel Waterfalls and the forest below Prümer Burg. It then runs through fields and orchards past the remains of the Roman Villa before returning to Holsthum. This route therefore alternates between river landscapes, woodland and open cultural landscapes, with a connection to local history.
The ten trails together cover 82 km; this figure describes their total length, not the length of Circular Hiking Trail No. 59. If you like to fill your holiday days with hikes, you can choose among the individual trails and the landscapes described along them. Circular Trail No. 59 brings several of these themes together in one route, while the other local trails offer additional ways to explore the landscape.
Roman Traces and Local Traditions
The main building of the Roman estate near Holsthum was built around 100 AD on a slope high above the Prüm. The remains of the Roman Villa are also along the route of Circular Hiking Trail No. 59. This lets you include Roman history as part of a day’s hike, without making it the trail’s sole focus.
Another historic building is the Rochus Chapel in Holsthum, built in 1866. Every year on the Monday of the parish fair, a procession to the chapel is held in remembrance of the time of the plague. If you are interested in local traditions, you can take this recurring custom into account when planning your trip. Nearby, the Langenstein near Holsthum is also described as a menhir. Its name means “Long Stone” in Breton.
Holsthum for Hiking and Cycling Holidays
Holsthum lies on the Prüm Valley Cycle Route. The Enz Cycle Route also runs as far as Holsthum: from Pronsfeld to here, it follows the river through quiet valleys, picturesque villages and historic landscapes between the Islekhöhen and the Prüm Valley. If you are planning a cycling trip, you can consider these routes as a separate focus alongside the local hiking trails.
When choosing a holiday apartment or holiday home, the first consideration is whether Holsthum suits the kind of holiday you want. Hiking amid rivers, woodland and orchards, cycling routes, Roman history and hop growing are the specific points of interest. If you are travelling as a family, you can decide together whether to focus on active days on hiking or cycling routes, or on discovering history and local cultivation. The pages on Bollendorf and Ernzen offer other places to discover.
For the broader travel overview: Irrel.
