Steckenborn lies above the Rursee in the North Eifel. The village walk combines open meadows with the Hövel viewpoint and several small landmarks that tell the story of the village. Anyone who wants to discover the landscape and village culture on a walk will find a clear local focus here; hiking car parks also provide access points for other local trails.

Meadows and the Hövel viewpoint

In the north, the village walk passes through meadows with hedgerows and old beech trees to the Hövel viewpoint. From there, the view stretches across the Rursee towards Nideggen. There are hiking car parks for other local walks at Hövel, Kierberg and the village square; they serve as access points. Check parking availability and access conditions before your walk, as both may change.

Village history and religious customs

The village walk highlights several small landmarks: a historic water well, the village chapel dating from 1864, restored half-timbered houses and a West Wall bunker considered a cultural monument. In this way, the landscape and the built history of the village stand side by side as distinct focal points of the same walk.

Another cultural highlight is the parish of St. Apollonia’s annual four-day pilgrimage on foot to Barweiler; its tradition dates back to 1750. It broadens the perspective from architectural landmarks to religious customs. Conditions for participation may vary.

More activities in the wider destination of Simmerath

The wider destination of Simmerath offers more nature and swimming options. The swimming area in Woffelsbach Bay is directly in the lake and marked off by yellow swimming buoys; swimming conditions may vary with the water level. The Einruhr natural swimming pool uses no chlorine or chemicals; the water is biologically treated in a reed pond.

The Rurberg National Park Gate in Simmerath features the “Lifelines of Nature” exhibition, a digital terrain model of the national park and national park films. Free guided walks into the Kermeter forests start from there. Check the dates in advance, as schedules may change.

For hikes in the wider destination of Simmerath, the 15.1-kilometre Panorama Trail runs from the village square in Simmerath-Strauch through typical Eifel farmland to the Michelshof wind farm. Along the way, panoramic views extend across the Eifel landscape, the Rursee and the opposite Kermeter. The 14.2-kilometre Rursee Heights Trail starts at the Rursee Centre in Simmerath-Rurberg. For cycling, the “Around the Rursee” route covers 26 kilometres around the lake. The distances and activity types provide specific guidance when choosing a route. If you are deciding between hiking and cycling, you can compare the stated distances: the two hiking trails are a similar length at 14.2 and 15.1 kilometres; the cycling loop covers 26 kilometres and is therefore longer.

Discover more destinations: Einruhr, Kesternich, Dedenborn, Woffelsbach

Back to the wider travel overview: Simmerath.