Burgbrohl lies in the volcanic East Eifel on the left bank of the Rhine, between Bonn and Koblenz. The town offers practical starting points for planning a stay: hiking trails with views into the Herchenberg crater and historic buildings that reveal different periods of history. The Trass caves bring both themes together—as a destination for a short detour and as evidence of a long history of trass extraction.
Hiking Trails and Guided Tours
The Volcano and Panorama Trail offers panoramic views into the Herchenberg crater; a steep climb is part of the route at Teufelsberg. There is also a 15-kilometre circular trail across the heights around Burgbrohl. This gives you different points of reference for planning your walks: a specific climb and a circular route with a stated distance. A detour of about 50 metres from the route leads to the Trass caves.
Guided walks through Burgbrohl last around 1.5 to 2 hours and start at Josefplatz. As the programme format may change, check the current programme for specific dates. A guided hike with a professional geologist can also be booked.
Trass History and Historic Buildings
The Trass caves are linked to trass extraction, which began in Roman antiquity and reached its peak from the 17th to the early 20th century. These dates distinguish the ancient origins from the much later heyday of extraction.
Burgbrohl Castle stands on a promontory above the town and was the seat of the Lords of Brule from 1093/1112. At the centre is the Josef Column, dating from 1786 and considered a rare type of column statue in the Rhineland. The former Hotel zur Krone is one of the town’s prominent buildings and faces the Josef Column and Josefsplatz.
At the Old Church, the openings are framed with basalt lava. The historic grounds also include remnants of the former cemetery, with grave crosses and numerous gravestones; the church’s outdoor area is freely accessible. St. John the Baptist was built between 1907 and 1909 as a three-aisled Neo-Gothic church.
The Kaiserhalle is a different type of building: a domed hall for balls and theatre events. Its dome is made of an unusual unreinforced lightweight concrete shell; the hall has been available for events since spring 2019.
Getting Here and Access to the Hiking Trail
The Brohltalbahn serves the stations of Burgbrohl and Weiler; signposted access paths to the Volcano and Panorama Trail lead from both stations. Check the current timetable if you plan to travel by train. Burgbrohl is connected to the wider road network via the B9 along the Rhine, the A61 and the B412 between the Rhine and the Eifel.
Discover more destinations: Schelborn, Schalkenbach, Wehr, Weibern, OberdĂĽrenbach, Dedenbach, Hohenleimbach, Wassenach.
For the main travel overview: Brohltal.
