The Pferdsheck Trail begins and ends at the chapel in Hinterhausen. This 7.1-kilometer loop passes through the forests around Hermesberg and reaches viewpoints overlooking Gerolstein, the Kyll Valley, the wooded Eifel heights and the Wöllersberg volcano. In the village, old houses cluster around a small chapel; the historic village center is designated a cultural monument. Hinterhausen thus brings together a specific hiking route and a clearly defined historic village center. As you plan your trip, you can consider whether the chapel’s history or the route through the landscape should be the main focus.
The Chapel and Historic Village Center
The historic village center is arranged around a small chapel and old houses and is designated a cultural monument. The Catholic chapel is dedicated to Saint Lambert. It is mentioned in visitation records from 1712; the present building dates from 1867. Historic furnishings that have been preserved include an antependium from 1748 and a bell from 1687. These dates refer to different things: 1712 is when the chapel was mentioned, 1867 is the construction year of the present building, while the bell and antependium are older still. This makes it possible to distinguish the dates of the building and individual furnishings. The dedication to Saint Lambert adds a religious context to the building dates.
Planning the Pferdsheck Trail
The loop is 7.1 km long, takes about two hours and includes 199 m of ascent and 199 m of descent. The distance, approximate duration and elevation gain describe different aspects of the hike, helping you gauge its scope in terms of both time and distance and ascent. The two-hour estimate is a guideline for planning your day, not a minute-by-minute schedule.
The trail passes through the forests around Hermesberg and reaches viewpoints overlooking Gerolstein, the Kyll Valley, the wooded Eifel heights and the Wöllersberg volcano. Alongside the route’s measurable details, there is also a specific description of the landscape. If you choose this hike, you can consider the forest sections and named viewpoints as a scenic focus alongside the history of the village center.
Getting Here by Bus or Car
Bus route 532 connects Gerolstein with Hinterhausen. Check the timetable before your trip if you plan to use this service; the specific departure time is part of your travel planning. Free parking is available at the chapel or fire station, at the Schutzhaus parking lot, and at the Hinterhausen holiday park. Since the loop begins and ends at the chapel, the parking area mentioned there is at the trailhead. The bus service and parking options offer different ways to plan your journey.
Discover more destinations: MĂĽrlenbach, Gees, Densborn, Salm, MĂĽllenborn, Birresborn, Berlingen, Pelm
For the broader travel overview: Gerolstein.
