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Germany

North Rhine-Westphalia

Cologne District

Städteregion Aachen

Monschau

View of Monschau Castle

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Places to see

Castles

Germany

North Rhine-Westphalia

Cologne District

Städteregion Aachen

Monschau

View of Monschau Castle

Highlight • Viewpoint

View of Monschau Castle

Recommended by 409 hikers out of 429

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for: Naturpark Hohes Venn-Eifel

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Location: Monschau, Städteregion Aachen, Cologne District, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

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Best Hikes to View of Monschau Castle

4.6

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2,497

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1. Monschau Old Town – Laufenbach in Monschau loop from Konzen

29.2km

08:05

500m

510m

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Hard

4.8

(940)

3,277

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2. Monschau Old Town – Rur Riverside Trail loop from Küchelscheid

12.0km

03:25

260m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

4.7

(592)

2,169

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3. Wild Rur below Ehrensteinsley – Rur Riverside Trail loop from Höfen

11.6km

03:06

130m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

Tips

Claudine en Robert🇧🇪🚴

November 6, 2022

The castle of Monschau was probably built at the beginning of the 13th century. In the middle of the 14th century, the complex was extended and enclosed by mighty ring walls and ramparts. This almost impregnable fortress of the Counts of Jülich was besieged by Emperor Charles V in 1543 with heavy artillery and finally captured, the city was sacked. The castle was only restored to expand the weather complex of the lower castle. The Frenchmen confiscated the castle as a national asset and sold it. However, the private owners were unable to maintain the extensive complex. They had the roofs demolished in 1836/37 in order to be freed from the tax on buildings. The castle quickly fell into ruins. It was not until the turn of the century that the province tried to stop the decline. The castle was secured, repaired and renovated. After the First World War, a youth hostel occupied the west wing. The castle of Monschau as a "youth castle" thus remains lively and inviting. Christo even packed it in 1971, and it is a highlight of Monschau when the castle and town are lit up. In summer, the inner courtyard of the castle becomes the atmospheric backdrop for the "Monschau Festival". Then the performances of renowned artists and renowned orchestras transform the fortress into a real Mecca for music fans. There is a youth hostel in the castle. Unfortunately, for this reason, the building cannot be visited. But a visit to the courtyard and the fantastic view of the city are also worth it!

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Joe Outside

April 18, 2022

Monschau Castle was probably built at the beginning of the 13th century. The complex was expanded in the middle of the 14th century and enclosed by mighty curtain walls and battlements. This almost impregnable fortress of the powerful Counts of Jülich was besieged in 1543 by Emperor Charles V with heavy artillery and finally taken, and the town plundered. The castle was only repaired to expand the defense system of the lower castle. The French confiscated the castle as a national property and sold it. However, the private owners could not keep the extensive complex. They had the roof removed in 1836/37 in order to be exempt from the building tax. The castle quickly fell into ruins. Only at the turn of the century did the province try to stop the decline. The castle was secured, repaired and renewed. After the First World War, a youth hostel moved into the west wing. In this way, Monschau Castle remains alive and inviting as a "youth castle".

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Stephan N

April 18, 2022

Very nice view of Monschau Castle.
Monschau Castle is a hilltop castle, meaning it is located on a natural hill. This hill is located in the town of Monschau, south of the Aachen city region.

Story

The castle was first mentioned in a document in 1217 and in the middle of the 14th century it was expanded with curtain walls and battlements so that it could serve as a fortress for the Counts of Jülich. Despite the considerable defenses, the castle was taken by Emperor Charles V in 1543 and plundered along with the city.

At the beginning of the 19th century it was finally sold by the French because they had confiscated it as national property. In order to avoid building taxes, the private owners at the time removed the roofs of the castle, which is why the castle was exposed to decay and soon became a ruin. At the beginning of the 20th century it was finally repaired and secured by the administration of the Rhine Province so that the west wing could serve as a youth hostel after the First World War.

Today it is not only a youth hostel, in summer the inner courtyard of the castle is also used for concerts, orchestras and operas, the whole thing has the motto “Monschau Klassik”.
Source:
eifelfuehrer.de/touristische-ziel/burgen-und-schloesser/burg-monschau.html

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Thomas, nur echt mit Hut🤠

April 7, 2022

The castle stands like a center above Monschau

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Udo🥾🥾

June 20, 2022

Imposing view of the castle directly from the Eifelsteig.

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1967Bike-Didi

February 6, 2022

From this point on the Eifelsteig you have a beautiful view of the castle. It is assumed that it dates from the 13th century. In the 14th century the complex was expanded with ring walls and fortifications.

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Stephan N

April 18, 2022

Very nice view of Monschau Castle!

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Waldgänger

July 5, 2022

The night in the youth hostel is a nice experience 😊

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Netreisetagebuch

June 24, 2023

"...Monschau Castle on the mountain spur above the Rur is visible from afar. It was built at the end of the 12th century by the Dukes of Limburg and was continually expanded in the following centuries..."
Find out more about picturesque Monschau at: netreisetagebuch.de/monschau-gehenswuerdigkeiten

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Jochen Vieß

February 13, 2022

Monschau is a beautiful, picturesque town in the Eifel. We come here regularly. However, you should not be afraid of steep climbs and many steps ;-)

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Andrea

October 21, 2023

The castle is now used as a youth hostel and in summer also as a venue for concerts and operas.

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Andi

September 5, 2023

Nice view of Monschau Castle.

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Heiko

November 2, 2023

The climb to the castle is definitely worth it

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Anneke B.

February 2, 2024

From the valley you have a good view of the castle. The Eifelsteig runs past the castle

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Anneke B.

February 19, 2024

From Monschau you have a good view of the castle. This rises above Monschau

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Thomas, nur echt mit Hut🤠

April 8, 2022

The old castle stands imposingly above Monschau

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Reinhold Burhoff

August 7, 2024

Hundred

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Dirk Couck

December 5, 2024

Stage 3 of the Eifelsteig starts in Monschau centre

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Markus

May 25, 2025

Beautiful view of the castle

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Elfi

August 19, 2025

Monschau Castle was probably built at the beginning of the 13th century. In the mid-14th century, the complex was expanded and enclosed by massive circular walls and battlements. This almost impregnable fortress of the powerful Counts of Jülich was besieged and finally captured by Emperor Charles V with heavy artillery in 1543.

The French confiscated the castle as national property and sold it. However, the private owners could not maintain the extensive complex. They had the roofs removed in 1836/37 to be exempt from building taxes. Thus, the castle quickly fell into ruin. It was not until the turn of the century that the castle was secured, repaired, and renovated.
After the First World War, a youth hostel moved into the west wing. Thus, Monschau Castle remains vibrant and inviting to this day as a "youth castle."

Christo even wrapped it in 1971, and it became Monschau's highlight.

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Elevation 490 m

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Thursday 13 November

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Max wind speed: 23.0 km/h

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Location: Monschau, Städteregion Aachen, Cologne District, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

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1. Monschau Old Town – Laufenbach in Monschau loop from Konzen

2. Monschau Old Town – Rur Riverside Trail loop from Küchelscheid

3. Wild Rur below Ehrensteinsley – Rur Riverside Trail loop from Höfen

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