Bengel extends along both sides of the Alf between the Moselle heights and the Eifel. Cultural history, cycling and hiking offer different ways to enjoy a stay. There is a railway stop on the edge of the village; check the timetable when planning your journey.
Springiersbach and Bengel’s churches
In Springiersbach, a village within Bengel, stands a Baroque monastery church with ceiling frescoes. The altars and choir stalls, however, are in the Rococo style. The combination of the two styles makes the church a notable attraction for anyone interested in sacred architecture. Its history is also connected to Bengel: after secularization in 1802, the Bishop of Trier designated the church as Bengel’s parish church.
The monastery’s history goes back further. Around 1100, Benigna von Daun founded a monastic community there. The Springiersbach oil mill offers another perspective on the region’s past: built in 1856, it is one of the few surviving oil mills in Rhineland-Palatinate. The architecture, monastic history and early industrial history represent different facets of the local culture.
The monastery also has a shop. It stocks regional Alftal honey and monastery products such as wine, beer, liqueurs, spices, vinegar, oil, syrups and preserves. The selection may vary with the season. The Carmel Springiersbach Retreat House offers a varied program and can be booked for events. If you have a particular program in mind, confirm its availability directly.
Churches, crosses and local history
Buildings and wayside crosses in Bengel itself also tell stories of different periods. St. Quirinus Parish Church is a Neo-Gothic hall church dating from 1901–1902. Five crosses along the roads into the village date from the 18th century. They were probably intended to protect against misfortune, disasters and epidemics. Their number, location and presumed protective purpose give them a historical background distinct from that of the much newer parish church.
The plague cross stands at the turnoff towards Springiersbach. Its shape suggests that it dates from around 1660. At the edge of Kondelwald, the Jacobs Cross commemorates Philipp Jacobs, who died as a soldier in Zanzibar in 1890. The two crosses thus differ both in their historical associations and in how their stories can be read: the plague cross’s shape points to an approximate date of origin, while the Jacobs Cross centers on the memory of a person identified by name.
Cycling route and hiking in Kondelwald
For a cycling trip, there is a route from Bengel through the Alftal valley to Wittlich. It is 32.3 kilometers long, rated easy, and includes 186 meters of ascent and 221 meters of descent. The route can be used year-round. Its length, elevation figures and difficulty rating provide specific information to consider when deciding whether to include this ride in your stay.
Kondelwald offers a different way to get active. This 2,500-hectare forest lies between Bengel and Bad Bertrich and offers opportunities for hiking and observing nature. While the cycling route is described by a set distance and elevation profile, Kondelwald is primarily about combining forest, plant and animal life, and hiking. This lets you weigh up a measured cycling route against a landscape destination for walks and nature observation.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Hontheim, Kövenig, Kinheim, Willwerscheid, Kinderbeuern.
Return to the main travel overview: Kröv-Bausendorf.
