Katzwinkel: Village History and Hiking Trails

Katzwinkel is especially appealing to travelers interested in hiking trails, cycling routes and a distinctive village history. In the center of the village, the Burbach, Lanzbach and Ringelbach streams converge to form the Gäsbach. Its elevation of about 460 to 490 meters above sea level and the fact that forests cover more than a third of its 385-hectare municipal area give the village a distinctive landscape setting.

Streams, Elevation and Hiking Trails

There are around 7.5 kilometers of municipal hiking trails for walks and hikes. The Karl-Kaufmannweg, Eifelverein Main Hiking Trail No. 2, offers another point of reference: it runs for about 1.5 kilometers through Katzwinkel’s municipal area. These figures describe different scales—the municipal hiking trail network on the one hand and the section of the main hiking trail within the municipal area on the other.

Cyclists also have a specific local connection: Katzwinkel is linked to the cycling network via the Ahr-Mosel Cycle Route and Cycle Route No. 30. Hiking and cycling trails offer different options when planning a trip. Since trail conditions can change, it is best to check them before setting out.

Afelskreuz and Pilgrimage History

Afelskreuz lies about 1.5 kilometers northwest of Katzwinkel and can be reached via Hiking Trail 7. It stands in the forest on the ridge between Uess and Lieserbach and is made of wooden beams; the cross is 3.30 meters high. The distance given describes its location in relation to the village, not the length of a hike. A moderate 9.9-kilometer circular hike also passes the cross.

Afelskreuz stands on an old Roman military road associated with a historic pilgrimage route to the tomb of Saint Matthias in Trier. At this site, a tangible structure, its woodland setting and a traditional pilgrimage connection come together. If you plan a visit to the cross, check access locally.

Village History and Buildings

The Catholic branch church of St. Catherine is a three-bay hall church dating from 1810; it was altered around 1950/60. Another architectural feature is the wayside shrine east of the built-up area, on the road to Uess. It is described as a round, enclosed masonry structure.

The history of settlement in the area goes back a long way: archaeological finds indicate that people were already living in the Katzwinkel area more than 4,000 years ago. Finds near Scheidheck also document settlement during the Roman period, from 50 BC to AD 500. Together, the two dates span a broad historical period without conflating the different find sites and eras.

Eiersingen and Local Tradition

Eiersingen involves a chain of blown-out eggs that is hung in the village center on Whit Monday. Preparing the collected eggs is also part of the custom: they are pierced and blown out; they are then mixed with herbs to make scrambled eggs, cooked in a pan and eaten on bread. Eiersingen thus encompasses both a visible tradition in the village center and a traditional dish.

The Vulkaneifel in a Broader Context

In the wider travel destination of the Vulkaneifel, ridges, dense forests, clear streams, fragrant meadows and villages form part of the described landscape. To date, 77 maars have been identified there; 350 eruption centers have also been counted, about 270 of them from the more recent phase. These figures provide a regional geological context, while the streams, trails and buildings are specific features of Katzwinkel.

Discover more destinations: Drees, Bereborn, Reimerath, Brücktal, Welcherath, Oberelz, Borler, Retterath

Back to the wider travel overview: Kelberg.