Schönbach: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

Schönbach can be explored along the moderately difficult, 14.6-kilometre-long HeimatSpur Täler- und Höhenweg. The circular trail starts and ends at the “Zum Kreuzberg” country inn in Schönbach, leads around Schönbach and Utzerath, past the Kreuzberg viewpoint, through wooded sections and valleys along small streams. The route is freely accessible; parking is available on Mühlenweg. Anyone wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Schönbach can then continue their search for accommodation.

Nature and Landscape

From the Eifel-Blick Kreuzberg viewpoint, at 516 metres above sea level, there is a panoramic view across the Eifel landscape as far as the Hunsrück ridges. Kreuzberg is a tuff and cinder volcano from the Cenozoic Era. Until the 1960s, it was first used as a millstone quarry and later for lava extraction. Together with Hummerich, Kreuzberg forms the northern barrier of the Schönbach Valley. Both belong to the older Eifel volcanoes and are probably well over 100,000 years old.

The Kreuzberg site contributes to preserving the Eifel cultural landscape, including its characteristic flora and microorganisms. There are also hiking routes of various lengths and difficulty levels around the Eifel-Blick Kreuzberg viewpoint.

Culture

The Quirinus Chapel stands in the centre of Schönbach next to the community centre. It was built in 1968 and features coloured ornamental arched windows, a large window depicting Saint Michael, and a Baroque altar more than five metres high, dedicated to Saint Quirinus and the Five Wounds.

Documentary records of Schönbach date back to 1364. Schimmich is the local dialect name for Schönbach. A cross on the Kreuzberg is traditionally associated with the gratitude of people who returned from the Second World War. The tradition of maintaining the cross continues.

The Schönbach parish fair is celebrated on the first Sunday in September. It was revived in 2010 after the establishment of the Bambini volunteer fire brigade.

Geographical Setting

The Vulkaneifel is a UNESCO Global Geopark shaped by volcanic activity. Its features include volcanic cones, mineral springs and a high density of characteristic natural phenomena. The Vulkaneifel UNESCO Global Geopark is particularly known for its maars, which were formed by volcanic steam explosions.

Further local pages: Nerdlen, Darscheid, Kradenbach, Mückeln, Brockscheid, Schalkenmehren, Niederstadtfeld, Bleckhausen

For the higher-level travel overview: Daun.