Olzheim: Hiking and Chapels on the Prüm

Olzheim is set in an appealing landscape on the Prüm. The river rises about six kilometres from Olzheim. Hills around the village offer far-reaching views, and nature trails wind through fields and forests. Many of the local trails are connected and suitable for multi-day hikes; trail connections and signposting may change.

Hiking Trails of Different Lengths

The stated trail lengths make for a concrete comparison: the Gieren circular trail is 5.2 kilometres long, the Panorama Trail is listed as 11 kilometres with an elevation gain of 170 metres, and Route 19 covers 24 kilometres.

Route 19 leads from Olzheim to the Wascheid reservoir, passes through Kobscheid and Rohrvenn, and returns via Knaufspesch. Trail conditions and signposting on this route may change; check both before planning your hike. The Panorama Trail offers views across Olzheim and the surrounding countryside. The Olzheim hiking club introduced it in 2007 and renewed its signposting in 2019; the signposting may change. In 2021, a hiking shelter and a recliner bench were installed along the trail on Kalberberg. In winter, the panoramic tour can also be done on snowshoes; winter conditions vary from season to season.

One destination in the surrounding area is the 697.8-metre-high Schwarze Mann, the highest elevation in the Schneifel. It can be reached from near Olzheim via various hiking trails. Olzheim is also a starting point for cycling and mountain biking tours. Available route connections and access conditions may change and should be checked before setting out on a specific tour.

Getting Your Bearings and Getting There

Hiking car park 16 is in the centre of the village, next to the community centre. There is an information board with a hiking map and a box where you can take hiking maps; maps can also be downloaded and printed. Bus routes 478 and 486 serve the hiking car park. As bus routes and timetables may change, it is a good idea to check the current timetable before travelling.

Olzheim can be reached by car from the A1 and A60 motorways via the B51. Temporary roadworks or closures may affect the drive, so check your route before setting off. The car park, map services and bus connections help with finding your way around the hiking trails, but do not replace checking your chosen route and journey individually.

Chapels and Historical Landmarks

The area’s architectural and local history offers other points of interest, too. The Marienkapelle in Knaufspesch was built over a period of two and a half years, with 7,000 hours of volunteer work. It is used for both concerts and church services; whether a concert takes place depends on the local programme. The Afelskreuz, southwest of Olzheim beside a field path, is a late Gothic niche cross dating from 1613.

The church associated with Saint Brictius is believed to date back to around 800. The newly built St. Brictius Church was consecrated on 27 October 1924. These two dates refer to different historical points: a possible early date for the church and the precisely documented consecration date of the new building. A stay in Olzheim can thus be explored not only through its hiking trails, but also through the history of its local religious buildings and the Afelskreuz.

Discover more destinations: Obermehlen, Großlangenfeld, Büdesheim, Oberlascheid, Orlenbach, Feuerscheid, Gondenbrett, Kleinlangenfeld

For the main travel overview: Prüm.