Kesternich – Hiking, Far-Reaching Views and Village History

Kesternich is an Eifel hilltop village on the edge of Eifel National Park, characterised by tall red beech hedges. The municipality describes it as an ideal starting point for hikes. This suggests two main areas to focus on when planning your trip: nature and trails on the one hand, and the church and an annual carnival event on the other. Which of these matters most to you depends on whether you want to make hiking, local history or an annual event the focus of your stay.

Hiking with Views of the Village and Landscape

The Kesternich village walk is about 5.2 kilometres long, takes approximately two hours and has around 56 metres of elevation gain. The distance and duration may vary slightly depending on the version of the route. The circular walk offers far-reaching views in almost every direction. There are also plenty of benches where you can take in the surrounding landscape at leisure. The route can therefore be assessed in terms of its time commitment, elevation gain and views.

Another hiking option is the Two Valleys Trail, which connects the river valleys of the Eiserbach and Tiefenbach. The village walk focuses on duration and far-reaching views, while the Two Valleys Trail connects the two river valleys.

Church and History in Kesternich

The listed Church of St Peter and Paul stands in the heart of Kesternich. It is dedicated to the holy apostles Peter and Paul, as well as the Fourteen Holy Helpers. Its building history includes a major turning point: the new church, built in 1899/1900, was blown up by the German military in September 1944; the church was rebuilt in 1951/52. Its dedication and building history give the church a tangible connection for anyone interested in religious and local history.

The former oil mill lies on the Tiefenbach. It complements the village church as another historical feature that forms part of the region’s village and landscape.

Annual Carnival Event

The annual children’s carnival event organised by Kesternich’s KG Kester Lehmschwalbe carnival club features performances by children’s groups and the proclamation of the child carnival prince or princess. It may interest visitors who would like to combine their stay with a local carnival event. The date and venue change each year, so if you are planning your trip around it, check the details for the relevant year.

More Destinations in the Broader Simmerath Area

The broader Simmerath area also offers distinct points of interest for nature and culture enthusiasts. 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. The gate is also a starting point for free guided walks in the forests of the Kermeter. As schedules may change, check the current guided-walk programme if you are planning a tour.

For hiking in Simmerath, two routes offer different starting points and distances. The 14.2-kilometre Rursee Höhenweg (Rursee Ridge Trail) starts at the Rursee Centre in Simmerath-Rurberg. The 15.1-kilometre Panoramaweg (Panorama Trail) starts at the village square in Simmerath-Strauch and leads through typical Eifel farmland to the Michelshof wind farm. Along the way, it offers panoramic views of the Eifel landscape, Lake Rur and the Kermeter opposite. The 26-kilometre “Around Lake Rur” cycle tour is a separate option for anyone wishing to explore the region by bike.

Discover more destinations: Einruhr, Woffelsbach, Dedenborn, Steckenborn

Back to the broader travel overview: Simmerath.