Lissendorf: Hiking, Views and Railway History

Scenery, hiking and railway history give Lissendorf several specific points of interest. Möschelberg offers views of the Kyll Valley and is designated as the “Möschelberg bei Lissendorf” nature reserve. The viewpoint on Burgberg is associated with dolomite cliffs.

Hiking in Lissendorf

The LB 7 is an 8.7-kilometre circular trail of moderate difficulty. The start and finish are at the parish church. From there, the route climbs through shady woods towards Mottenberg. Along the way, viewpoints, a shelter and the memorial stone for Bob Etzel are among the trail’s notable features. For planning, the distance, difficulty and start-finish point offer different kinds of guidance: they describe the route’s length, rating and course. The climb through the woods and the named points along the trail make the description more specific than a distance alone.

Church History and Signal Box

The tower of St. Dionysius Church is considered a landmark of Lissendorf. The foundation stone for the present-day church building was laid in 1886; it was consecrated in 1889. The town’s church history goes back further: Lambertus, Lissendorf’s first recorded priest, was mentioned in 1148. This means that a church was already there at that time. The year 1148 therefore refers to the early presence of a church, while 1886 and 1889 mark the laying of the foundation stone and the consecration of the present-day building.

The Lissendorf Signal Box Museum is dedicated to the history of the Eifel Railway and the changes to the railway landscape in the 20th century. The signal box was built in 1912 and for decades served as the central control point for railway operations on the Eifel line. Historical photographs, documents and models complement the exhibition. Visitors can operate some of the historical levers and points themselves. Visits can be arranged in advance with knowledgeable attendants; please coordinate your visit before arriving. The exhibition thus connects the broader history of railways with specific elements of signal-box technology.

The Vulkaneifel in a Broader Context

The volcanic history of the wider Vulkaneifel travel region provides an additional regional context. To date, 77 maars have been identified in the Vulkaneifel; 350 volcanic eruption centres have also been counted, about 270 of them from the more recent phase. Ulmen Maar marks the most recent volcanic eruption in the Vulkaneifel, which took place about 10,900 years ago.

Travel Information

Lissendorf station is on the Cologne–Trier railway line. Lissendorf station is also one of the parking options along the Kyll Cycle Path. Check the specific parking arrangements before travelling. For planning your trip, the LB 7 and the signal box differ in terms of activity and visiting arrangements: the circular route is described by its length and difficulty, while a visit to the signal box is arranged in advance with the attendants. If you are looking for a hotel for a trip to Lissendorf, this comparison can help you decide on the focus of your stay.

Discover more destinations: Esch, Steffeln, Gönnersdorf, Jünkerath, Scheid, Schüller, Feusdorf, Ormont

For the wider travel overview: Obere Kyll.