Olmscheid: Hiking, Panoramic Views and History
Accommodation in Olmscheid
If you are looking for a hotel for a trip to Olmscheid, two easy hikes can help you decide what to focus on as you plan. Olmscheid 1 – Busbach-Irsental is a 9.5-kilometre circular hike. The South Eifel Nature Park Hiking Trail No. 13 is 8.9 kilometres long and starts and ends in Olmscheid. You can distinguish between the routes by their length and the landscapes described for each one.
Hiking Trails and Landscapes
Olmscheid 1 – Busbach-Irsental passes the hamlet of Steinrausch and follows the Busbach towards the Irsental valley. The route crosses the Irsental valley and the Islekhöhen hills; viewpoints offer panoramic views. Benches and seating areas along the way provide opportunities for short breaks. The route description thus brings together waterways, hill ranges and viewpoints on an easy circular hike.
The South Eifel Nature Park Hiking Trail No. 13 has a different landscape focus. It passes through the protected juniper heathland in the Irsental valley near Daleiden, which lies in the “Valley of Butterflies.” Highlights of the route include the Irsental valley and the golden-yellow broom blossom in the nature reserve. The combination of valley and juniper heathland sets this hike apart from the Busbach-Irsental route, whose described stops include Steinrausch, the Busbach and the Islekhöhen hills.
At 8.9 kilometres, Hiking Trail No. 13 is 0.6 kilometres shorter than Olmscheid 1 – Busbach-Irsental; both hikes are rated easy. When choosing, you can therefore weigh the distance against the different trail themes: one hike is described as a circular route and leads to viewpoints, while the other starts and ends in Olmscheid and passes through the juniper heathland in the Irsental valley near Daleiden.
For Olmscheid 1 – Busbach-Irsental, parking is available on the main road by the church in Olmscheid.
Historical Traces in Olmscheid
Olmscheid was first documented in 1282 under the historical name “Oelmerscheit.” The remains of a prehistoric Celtic rampart can be found at Hicastel in the municipality. There are also remains of a Roman watchtower in the municipality. Together with the medieval record of the town’s name, these traces provide different points of reference for its history.
Cultural Attractions in the Wider Eifelkreis Bitburg-PrĂĽm Destination
The Mühlenberger Stollen Bleialf Visitor Mine has a mining trail with numerous information boards about the area’s mining history. One-hour tours of the mine cover ore extraction in Bleialf, from geology to applied technology. Check the seasonal visitor information before your visit.
The Devonium in Waxweiler explains complex concepts in palaeontology and the science of fossil life in an engaging way. The Westwall Museum houses a military history exhibition in the underground corridors and rooms of a bunker with three accessible levels.
The Rittersdorf moated castle, around 700 years old, has remained almost unchanged since it was built. It offers a vivid impression of late medieval and early modern Renaissance residential culture. The castle also has a privately run restaurant serving fine regional cuisine. Check whether the restaurant is open before visiting.
Discover more destinations: Herzfeld, Mauel, PlĂĽtscheid, Eilscheid, Daleiden, Dasburg, Kinzenburg, Hargarten
View the overview of the wider destination: Arzfeld.
