Großkampenberg: Hiking along the West Wall

Großkampenberg is an Eifel village with a clear focus on its hiking trail and West Wall heritage. The Islek West Wall Hiking Trail starts here and ends in Leidenborn; at the same time, the highly visible line of dragon’s teeth shapes the landscape. A specific hiking route and visible traces of military history sit side by side here.

West Wall heritage in the landscape

In the area around Großkampenberg, Leidenborn and Kesfeld, 115 bunkers and around six kilometres of dragon’s teeth were built. Near Großkampenberg, two technically distinct lines of concrete anti-tank obstacles have also been preserved. The dragon’s teeth are highly visible and continue to shape the landscape. The scale of the installations and the surviving lines give the West Wall both a regional significance and a tangible connection to the area around Großkampenberg.

Hiking the Islek West Wall Hiking Trail

The Islek West Wall Hiking Trail runs from Großkampenberg to Leidenborn. Its western section extends for five kilometres towards Lützkampen. The trail is rated easy; check the latest trail information before setting out, as the rating may change. Along the trail, information boards explain the concrete barriers and other topics related to the West Wall. As these installations may change, check the current visitor conditions on site.

The entire trail is marked with its logo and directional arrows. Check the signs on site before setting out on the route. There is a shelter and seating at the starting area. Parking is available at the sports ground in Großkampenberg or at the information point at the start. Check current parking conditions and facilities before your visit.

St. Hubertus and historical traces

St. Hubertus brings together different architectural and historical traces. The choir and lower sections of the tower are Neo-Gothic and date from 1910. After suffering war damage, the church was rebuilt from 1948 onwards. The church houses a Sebald organ dating from 1962, with 21 stops. These dates place the building elements and the organ in different periods, rather than suggesting they were part of a single construction phase.

A slate shaft cross in Großkampenberg is dated 1848. Together with the later construction and rebuilding phases of St. Hubertus, this date shows that the historical traces span different periods.

Getting there and finding your way

By car, you can reach Großkampenberg via the Bleialf exit on the A60; the route then continues through Habscheid and Heckhuscheid. Check current traffic conditions before setting off, particularly for roadworks or closures. This lets you plan your journey without assuming a travel time or distance.

There is no direct train connection to Großkampenberg; the nearest railway station is in Gerolstein. If you include the station in your travel plans, check the latest regional transport information. For finding your way around locally, the listed parking options at the sports ground or the information point at the start provide a reference point for the beginning of the hiking trail.

More destinations in the Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm

The wider travel destination of Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm includes other distinct destinations with a range of themes. The Mühlenberger Stollen Bleialf visitor mine has a mining trail with numerous information boards about the area’s mining history. One-hour guided tours cover ore mining, from geology to practical techniques; check seasonal tour information before planning your visit.

The Devonium in Waxweiler uses a playful approach to explain complex aspects of palaeontology and fossil life. In Irrel, the Westwall Museum is housed across three accessible floors of a bunker; its military history exhibition is displayed in underground corridors and rooms. Rittersdorf Castle is around 700 years old and has been preserved almost in its original form. It offers a glimpse of late medieval and early modern Renaissance domestic culture. The castle has a privately run restaurant serving fine country cuisine; check whether it is open before your visit.

Discover more travel destinations

Eilscheid, Hargarten, Lützkampen, Jucken, Neurath, Üttfeld, Dasburg, Dackscheid

For the broader travel overview: Arzfeld.