Routes

Planner

Features

Updates

App

Get the App

Discover

Places to see

Natural Monuments

Germany

North Rhine-Westphalia

Cologne District

Städteregion Aachen

Simmerath

Eifel Cross on Paustenbacher Höhe (554 m)

Discover

Places to see

Natural Monuments

Germany

North Rhine-Westphalia

Cologne District

Städteregion Aachen

Simmerath

Eifel Cross on Paustenbacher Höhe (554 m)

Highlight • Religious Site

Eifel Cross on Paustenbacher Höhe (554 m)

Recommended by 28 hikers out of 30

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for: Naturpark Hohes Venn-Eifel

Save

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

Save

See hikes here

Take Me There

Routes here

Best Hikes to Eifel Cross on Paustenbacher Höhe (554 m)

4.8

(191)

652

hikers

1. Wooden Bridge to Hexenplatz loop from Simmerath

14.0km

03:41

120m

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

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Moderate

4.6

(15)

hikers

2. Keltzerbach Bridge – Kall Reservoir loop from Lammersdorf

13.5km

03:43

210m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Moderate

4.9

(14)

hikers

3. Westwall Tank Traps – Old stone bridge on the Kall loop from Paustenbach

5.02km

01:22

70m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Easy

Tips

PeterH65 (a.k.a. "Waldorf")

August 1, 2024

"A Way of the Cross with 12 stations leads through the hedgerows, meadows and pastures and connects Simmerath with the hill called "Paustenbacher Höhe" to the north-west of the town. This hill was known as height 554 in the fighting at the end of the Second World War. For ten days in September 1944, bitter fighting raged here between US troops and the German Wehrmacht. On September 29, 1944, the Allies captured the hill. Today it is a place of remembrance and event and a reminder of peace.

The Way of the Cross starts at the Friedhofsweg/Zum Eifelkreuz intersection in Simmerath and the final cross is the large "Eifel Cross" on the Paustenbacher Höhe. At its foot stands a stone with the inscription: "Eifel Cross. Holy symbol of faith. Only bringer of peace. October 3, 1947".
Every second Sunday in October, a memorial service is held to commemorate the erection of the Eifel Cross through the municipality of Simmerath, a procession to the cross takes place.

Cultural and historical significance
The Way of the Cross is a testimony to the local culture of remembrance that began shortly after the end of the Second World War and is still passed on today. As an event location, the Paustenbacher Höhe is important for the local and regional history of the municipality of Simmerath."

(Martina Gelhar, LVR Department of Cultural Landscape Conservation, 2023)
kuladig.de/Objektansicht/KLD-345333

Translated by Google •

In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

Details

Informations

Elevation 610 m

Weather

Today

Wednesday 19 November

2°C

0°C

70 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 23.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See hikes here

Take Me There

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

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Westwallwanderweg (Westwall Trail)

Westwallweg (Siegfried Line Trail)

Kranzbruch Nature Reserve

Westwall Tank Traps

Kalverscheidgasse

View of the Kranzbach and Kall Valleys (Bench)

Westwall Trail (Westwallwanderweg)

Kalltalsperre Cycle Path

Graveltraum entlang der Kalltalsperre

Evenskal Stream

Kalltalsperre Trail Signpost

Eifel Cross on Paustenbacher Höhe (554 m)

1. Wooden Bridge to Hexenplatz loop from Simmerath

2. Keltzerbach Bridge – Kall Reservoir loop from Lammersdorf

3. Westwall Tank Traps – Old stone bridge on the Kall loop from Paustenbach

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️