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Germany

North Rhine-Westphalia

Cologne District

Städteregion Aachen

Simmerath

Eifel Cross on Paustenbacher Höhe (554 m)

Discover

Places to see

Germany

North Rhine-Westphalia

Cologne District

Städteregion Aachen

Simmerath

Eifel Cross on Paustenbacher Höhe (554 m)

26 people recommended this place

Recommended by 26 hikers out of 28

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for: Naturpark Hohes Venn-Eifel

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

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

4.8

(139)

512

hikers

1. Paustenbacher Venn Boardwalk – Westwall Tank Traps loop from Simmerath

12.2km

03:13

110m

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

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Intermediate

4.6

(15)

hikers

2. Keltzerbach Bridge – Kall Reservoir loop from Lammersdorf

13.5km

03:43

210m

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

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Intermediate

4.9

(13)

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.

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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 •

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Details

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Elevation 610 m

Weather

Today

Saturday 4 October

15°C

7°C

100 %

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Max wind speed: 34.0 km/h

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

Eifel Cross on Paustenbacher Höhe (554 m)

1. Paustenbacher Venn Boardwalk – Westwall Tank Traps loop from Simmerath

2. Keltzerbach Bridge – Kall Reservoir loop from Lammersdorf

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

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