Discover Salmtal

The Salm Valley winds in sweeping bends through a very broad valley floor, cut 50 to 100 metres deep into the surrounding hills. Former gravel pits in Salmtal have developed into landscape features with bodies of water, riverside vegetation, and pioneer and ruderal vegetation. Larger areas of traditional orchards can be found between Sehlem and Salmtal, as well as around Klausen. Historic settlement patterns are also still discernible in the village centres of Salmtal and Salmrohr. The landscape thus brings together open valley spaces and vegetated watersides with the built heritage of the villages.

Mills and historic buildings

The Dörbach Mill was first documented in 1250 and was associated with the former Eberhardsklausen Monastery. It served as both a grain mill and an oil mill; milling ceased in 1966. The Salmrohr Mill was first mentioned in 1330 and rebuilt in 1685. A two-storey former mill building dating from the first half of the 19th century survives, along with a wooden waterwheel. The different dates offer insight into several stages of the mills’ history, from their early mention to the surviving building.

St Martin’s in Salmrohr is a Neoclassical parish church built in 1839. The Chapel of Our Lady has three sides, is plastered and is designed in Neo-Gothic forms. Its inscription bears the date 1866; however, the building may be older. Together with the mills, these buildings offer different ways to explore local history and understand the development of the area’s architecture.

Hiking, cycling and climbing

The waymarked Salmtal 2 circular trail starts in Dörbach. Rated easy, the route is 4.4 kilometres long and follows the Bendersbach along meadow paths and through woodland. Along the way are a small chapel on the Kellerberg and places to stop. Its distance, difficulty rating and route provide practical reference points for planning. The Salm Cycle Path is mostly flat, with just a short climb beyond Rivenich. As trail and surface conditions may change, it is advisable to check for current information before setting out.

The Salmtal climbing pillar was created by converting a former railway pier between two streams into a climbing facility. The site includes access to the water and seating beside the river. Check local access and activity options before visiting. The activities therefore differ considerably: the circular hike can be assessed by its length and difficulty, while local access conditions are key to planning a visit to the climbing pillar.

Bernkastel-Wittlich as a wider destination

In the wider destination of Bernkastel-Wittlich, the volcanic Eifel, the romantic Moselle Valley, and the Hunsrück, rich in forests and meadows, come together. Another hiking option in this broader area is the Manderscheid Castle Trail: the circular route around the castles of Manderscheid is 5.4 kilometres long, rated moderate and listed as taking two hours. By comparison, the Salmtal 2 is shorter at 4.4 kilometres and rated easy. Distance and difficulty provide a clear basis for comparing the two routes.

The region’s pilgrimage tradition is also part of its character. The pilgrimage church of Maria Heimsuchung in Klausen was consecrated in 1502; Klausen remains a destination for pilgrims every year. The 816-metre-high Erbeskopf invites visitors to hike and offers a range of winter sports. At the Erbeskopf, the National Park Gate provides information about nature and the environment. Its interactive multimedia exhibition focuses on forests and bogs.

Discover more destinations: Immert, Reil, Wittlich, Osann-Monzel, Ürzig, Bernkastel-Kues, Thalfang Am Erbeskopf, Kröv-Bausendorf

Return to the main travel overview: Bernkastel-Wittlich.