Nachtsheim offers several ways to explore the town: the StrĂĽhmannspettje is a circular hiking trail featuring historical and natural attractions as well as viewpoints. Other highlights include a small rock grotto, the PietĂ in St. Stephanus Parish Church, Roman traces and a local legend. This gives you a clear choice when planning your visit: would you like hiking to shape your day, or would you prefer to focus on individual cultural and historical themes?
The StrĂĽhmannspettje: Route and Directions
The Nachtsheim Strühmannspettje is a moderately difficult circular hiking trail around the municipality. The route is listed as 11.7 kilometres, or around 12 kilometres; allow about three and a half hours for the hike. These details help you plan the trail as a separate activity. It passes through the Mimbach Valley to Heinzelmännchen’s Cave. Reclining benches on the slope above the cave offer views over the Mimbach Valley. Historical and natural attractions, along with viewpoints, are characteristic of the loop.
The community hall is the recommended starting point. There is ample parking there, provided the hall is not being used for another purpose. Check in advance if you plan to start there. Signposting is incomplete in some sections, so download the GPX track and route map before setting out. The trail is only partly suitable for people with health conditions or mobility impairments. Take this limitation into account when deciding whether to hike the route.
Rock Grotto, PietĂ and Pilgrimage
The small rock grotto in Nachtsheim’s “Kesselchen” was built in 1937 by Josef, Peter and Aloys Gerharz and Peter Thome. They set a small altar stone bearing a statue of the Virgin Mary into the rock. During renovation, a staircase and a place to sit were added. The grotto is therefore shaped both by the devotional site built into the rock and by the structures added later.
Another religious representation can be found in St. Stephanus Parish Church: the PietĂ depicts Jesus in the arms of the Sorrowful Mother Mary after being taken down from the cross. The group of figures was restored and put back on display in 2002. Before that, it had been kept in the church cellar for more than 30 years because of severe damage. The grotto and the PietĂ represent different expressions of religious life in Nachtsheim.
St. Stephanus Parish is also associated with an annual tradition: a pilgrimage to Maria Martental takes place in May. The first pilgrimage on foot was held in May 1945, after around 200 parish members had signed a pledge. The tradition is passed on to younger generations. When considering this custom, it is important to note that Maria Martental is the destination of the pilgrimage.
Roman Traces and a Local Legend
The Roman burial ground near Nachtsheim was laid out as a cemetery garden with barrows south of the Koblenz–Liège Roman road. A Roman roadside settlement was located along this road. This brings together two distinct aspects of the Roman past: burials in barrows and a settlement on a Roman road.
Another part of local history belongs to the realm of legend: according to tradition, the Heinzelmännchen fled Cologne and found a new home, among other places, in Nachtsheim in the Eifel. Unlike the Roman traces, this story does not recount a historical event but is a local legend. Together with the name Heinzelmännchen’s Cave, it gives the circular hiking trail an additional connection to Nachtsheim’s local lore.
Discover more destinations: Monreal, Ditscheid, Niederelz, Mayen, Spay, Vordereifel, Lonnig, Mertloch.
Return to the regional travel overview: Mayen-Koblenz.
