Bilkheim – History, Backes Festival and Cycling Routes

Discover Bilkheim through its archaeological history, varied architectural styles and cycling routes. These themes offer different starting points for planning your trip – from local history to longer routes and destinations in the broader Westerwald destination.

Archaeological history and historic architectural styles

Bilkheim’s archaeological heritage includes a burial ground from the Hallstatt period with 30 burial mounds and flat graves. The burial ground is no longer visible today. An information board provides historical information and displays images of the finds – a helpful way to learn about the town’s history, even though the original site can no longer be recognised in the landscape.

Two historic religious buildings, each with its own architectural style, lie north of Bilkheim. The Heiligenhäuschen north of the town, on the road from Salz to Herschbach, is a masonry wayside shrine dating from the 19th century. Its niche is set in a pointed gable. Also north of Bilkheim, on the road to Salz, stands the wayside chapel: a masonry building with a half-timbered gable, probably dating from the second half of the 18th century. The pointed gable of the Heiligenhäuschen and the chapel’s half-timbered gable create distinct architectural accents.

The museum house preserves oak beams, some more than seven metres long, as well as well-preserved wall paintings. The long beams and the wall decoration draw attention to different aspects of historic building culture. Hofgut Neuroth offers a different style: this small moated castle dates from 1664. Its almost square floor plan, tower-like elevation and mansard roofs define its appearance.

Backes Festival and cycling routes

At the annual Backes Festival, the bakehouse opens for traditional bread baking in a stone oven. If you would like to include the festival in your trip plans, check the specific date in advance; event arrangements may vary.

The 5-Seen cycle route runs from Dorndorf through Bilkheim to Wallmerod. Along the way, it links Secker Weiher, Wiesensee, Hahner Waldsee, Mengerskirchen’s Seeweiher and Krombachtalsperre. The route passes through Bilkheim and also leads to several named bodies of water in the region.

The Wallmerod–Westerburg cycling and walking trail is part of the Westerwaldschleife. The trail is described as having gentle elevation changes, good signage and numerous places to rest. Signage, rest areas and route designations can change, so check the latest route information before setting out. These details describe this trail and should not be confused with the route of the 5-Seen cycle route.

More destinations in the broader Westerwald destination

The broader Westerwald destination offers more themes to consider when planning your trip. The WesterwaldSteig is a 235-kilometre long-distance hiking trail through the Westerwald with 16 stages. It is certified as a “Quality Trail Wanderbares Deutschland” and is one of the “Top Trails of Germany.” If you are planning a hike on this long-distance trail, compare the stages and the latest route information with the route planner; its certification status may also change.

The Stöffel-Park is a destination in its own right: the approximately 140-hectare site of a former basalt quarry brings together industrial heritage, geological history and nature. Fossils are on display in the TERTIÄRUM, including the famous “Stöffel mouse.” The finds document around 25 million years of geological history. The Holzbach Gorge is another landscape attraction in the Westerwald: this approximately one-kilometre-long gorge has basalt walls up to 30 metres high.

Discover more destinations: Pottum, Hellenhahn-Schellenberg, Willmenrod, Staudt, Oberhaid, Heiligenroth, Limbach, Montabaur.

Back to the broader travel overview: Westerwald.