Auf dem Felsenweg 5 zur Prümer Burg

Starting point/parking area at the Irrel Waterfalls. The trail leads from the waterfalls to the largest hop-growing region in Rhineland-Palatinate, then to Holsthum and the Roman Villa. On the mountain spur, you'll discover the ruins of Prüm Castle and the Westwall Museum in the Katzenkopf Bunker.

Unfortunately, we found this route to be a disappointment. We have already walked the rock paths 1, 2, 3 and 6 and were thrilled, but this has nothing in common with the rock paths... At the beginning you can see the rocks above and after the Prümerburg you can no longer see any of the rocks until you is above the castle. Then there are the rocks again and it's beautiful there for about 2 - 2.5 km. So from km 14. Well, I can tick off the route, but I won't recommend it again. As a tip, you can also shorten the route. After the castle (on the rock path) at some point there will be a junction back towards the castle and then you come back to the rock path and can then walk above.

Contrary to what was stated, we go this round in the opposite direction and save the rock formations as a highlight for the end of the tour. On this hike it is particularly important to enjoy the wonderful views over the Prüm valley. First you go past the Prümerburg ruins, which are worth visiting. In the distance you can see the green gold, the hop cultivation around Holsthum, during the hike along the Prümtal. The hops are currently being harvested. Before we head back, we take a detour to the ruins of the Roman Villa Holsthum, whose origins date back to the 2nd century. We also visit the small Rochus Chapel, which dates back to the times of cholera and was built in 1866. However, this circular hike owes its name to the Felsenweg to the second part of our route on the way back. There are wonderful rock formations to marvel at and wonderful views to enjoy. And that also belongs in this region: the West Wall and its terrible consequences. Finally we pass the Westwall Museum (only open on Sundays) and the Katzenkopf bunker. After a very nice NaTour we are back at the Irrerer waterfalls, where there is a large, free parking lot. However, the new suspension bridge will only open in a few weeks.

I chose Prümzurlay as the starting point. However, I parked in the chapel road at the cemetery, because there is more space than in the settlement above the ruins. A nice, varied tour: Views from the ruins of Prüm Castle and the heights above Holsthum. At Holsthum, the extensive hop fields caught the eye - a rarity in the Eifel. It is only a few steps from the hiking trail to the remains of the Roman villa of Holsthum. The former Katzenkopf tank factory with the Westwall Museum can also be visited at the weekend. There are also long stretches in the forest (partly along the edge of the cliff with other vantage points) and country lanes. Very close to the Holsthumerberg settlement, some deer could be observed at 10 in the morning Due to the storm damage in July 2021, the section along the Irrel Waterfalls is unfortunately still not accessible. But it is being built, so maybe next year.

This hiking route in the NaturWanderpark delux offers everything a hiker's heart desires: culture, nature, impressive views. Many do not know that one of the best hops in Germany is grown near Holsthum - the largest hop-growing area in Rhineland-Palatinate. The Katzenkopf bunker in Irrel and the Westwall Museum give an impression of what happened on the Westwall in World War II. From here you can see the meeting valleys of Nims and Prüm. The origin of the Prümerburg, whose ruins on a rock bastion offer a magnificent view of the valley, lies in the dark of history. Evidence that the Romans liked it here is the Roman Villa Holsthum, whose foundations have been uncovered. It is only a small detour away from the hiking trail.

Felsenweg 5 - Prümer Burg Irrel This hiking trail in the NaturWanderPark deluxe begins at a truly exciting point: the "Irrel Waterfalls." Thousands of years ago, the Prüm River carved its way through fallen rocks here, creating a romantic river landscape with mighty boulders and countless rapids. But this landscape is history. Severe flooding after heavy rainfall in July 2021 swept away the former bridge and access road, ripped enormous boulders from the bank, and completely transformed this stretch of the river overnight. From the new suspension bridge, marvel at the destructive yet creative forces that raged here. On Felsenweg 5, you'll hike along the eastern flank of the Prüm Valley between Irrel and Holsthum. The route first leads south to the Katzenkopf with its Westwall Museum, one of the few tank factories from the Second World War that you can visit. Shake off those dark thoughts, breathe deeply in the fresh forest air, and follow the wooded ridge between Prüm and Nims northward. Flanked by bizarre rock towers, you'll walk along a cliff edge with breathtaking views of the Prüm Valley, pass the settlement of Prümer Burg, touch the Rochus Chapel, and reach the heights of the Holsthumerberg, where the route now turns back into the valley.

PART 2 The tour is in two parts because Komoot was a bit crazy with the first part.

Today we left early for Irrel. From there we walked through the woods. A beautiful, fairly easy walk. We did spot a few beautiful mushrooms and a fox. The suspension bridge and waterfall are a draw on beautiful summer days.