Sellerich: Schneifel, hiking trails and local history

Hiking trails and outdoor experiences

Hontheim also has special places to visit for outdoor activities. A municipal development report from 2020 describes a water-treading pool for Kneipp treatments and a forest barefoot trail, as well as a barbecue hut. On the trail, you can walk barefoot over gravel, bark mulch, sand or grass. Another water-treading pool is located on Schneifelweg in the district of Hontheim.

The barefoot trail offers something different from the municipal hiking network: here, the focus is on walking over changing surfaces, while the nine routes provide a broader framework for hikes. If you plan to visit the facilities in Hontheim, check their current availability in advance.

Church history in Sellerich and Hontheim

The history of a branch church connects the two districts. The former church in Hontheim served Sellerich, Sellericher Höhe, Herscheid and Hontheim. It was completely destroyed by the effects of war in 1944/45. The church was subsequently rebuilt in Sellerich, rather than at its former site in Hontheim. The decision to choose a new location led to some disputes between the villages.

The foundation stone for the branch church of St Isidore in Sellerich was laid on 13 July 1952; it was formally consecrated on 26 August 1953. The Marienkapelle (Chapel of St Mary) at the edge of the forest above Hontheim commemorates the liberation by the Americans in 1944/45. Two historic columns from the former Reich Labour Service (RAD) camp stand nearby. Together, these sites show different aspects of local history: religious architectural history, the consequences of wartime destruction and a memorial site above Hontheim.

Views in the surrounding area

The Eifel-Blick “Schwarzer Mann” (Black Man) viewpoint near Sellerich is close by. It offers sweeping panoramic views across villages, lakes, river valleys, hedgerow landscapes, heathland and moors. Panoramic information boards provide details about visible sights, villages and landscape features, and benches invite you to linger. The viewpoint thus complements Sellerich’s hiking and history themes with views of the surrounding landscape.

More themes in the Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm

The wider destination of Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm has additional, distinct highlights. In Waxweiler, the Devonium presents complex topics in palaeontology and the science of fossil life in an engaging way. The Mühlenberger Stollen Bleialf visitor mine offers one-hour tours where you can learn about ore mining in Bleialf, from geology to applied technology. The mine also has a mining trail with numerous information boards about the area's mining history. Check the seasonal information about tours before your visit.

In Irrel, the Westwall Museum is housed on three accessible floors of a bunker; underground passages and rooms contain a military history exhibition. The approximately 700-year-old Wasserburg Rittersdorf (Rittersdorf moated castle) offers a different glimpse into the past. It has remained almost unchanged since it was built and gives an impression of late medieval and modern Renaissance residential culture.

When looking for a holiday apartment, it is worth first sorting the experiences you want by their actual location. Sellerich offers a specific focus, with municipal trails, districts and local history. Other themes, such as palaeontology, mining, military history or castle culture, are found at the respective locations in Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm. This way, you can choose where to stay based on your travel interests without attributing regional attractions to Sellerich.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Kesfeld, Wallersheim, Kyllburg, Geichlingen, Irrel, Prüm, Neuerburg, Hamm

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