Oleftalsperre Dam – St. Edward’s Forest Chapel loop from Hellenthal
Oleftalsperre Dam – St. Edward’s Forest Chapel loop from Hellenthal
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hikers
Oleftalsperre Dam – St. Edward’s Forest Chapel loop from Hellenthal
03:13
11.4km
240m
Hiking
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.
Last updated: May 22, 2026
Tips
Temporary access restrictions
Includes segments with temporary access restrictions. Check ahead to confirm restricted segments are open to the public.
After 591 m for 79 m
Waypoints
Start point
Bus stop
Get Directions
586 m
Oleft Reservoir Parking Lot
Highlight • Parking
Translated by Google •
Tip by
1.04 km
Oleftalsperre Dam
Highlight • Monument
Translated by Google •
Tip by
1.10 km
View of the Oleftalsperre from the Bench
Highlight • Viewpoint
Translated by Google •
Tip by
1.49 km
View of the Olef Dam
Highlight • Viewpoint
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Tip by
2.57 km
Bench with a view of the Oleftalsperre
Highlight • Viewpoint
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Tip by
4.52 km
Shelter with a View of the Oleftalsperre
Highlight • Mountain Hut
Translated by Google •
Tip by
5.91 km
Forest Path in Naturpark Hohes Venn-Eifel
Highlight • Forest
6.74 km
St. Edward’s Forest Chapel
Highlight • Religious Site
About the history of this forest chapel:
On May 7, 1897, Count Eduard de Briey, a friend of Duke Engelbert von Arenberg, had an accident while hunting.
A document from 1899, which was embedded in the altar base, says: "The young count went hunting for roebucks at noon on the day mentioned, followed by the ducal Arenberg forester Stoll carrying the gun. The latter stumbled, causing the gun to discharge and the Shot through the back and abdomen of the advancing count." Count des Briey died in Hellenthal the following night.
In 1898, Duke Engelbert had this memorial chapel built at the site of the accident, which was consecrated on May 2, 1899 in the name of St. Edward. The construction work was entrusted to the master bricklayer Hassel from Reifferscheid; The carved wooden altar was made by the sculptor Johann Heinen from Hellenthal, who also painted the chapel in 1905 and created the cross on the wall to the right of the altar in 1923.
On the wall to the left of the altar is a cast of an old stove plate ("Takenplatte") from one of the earlier Arenberg iron foundries (FACTUM.ARENBERQ.ANNO 1657)
In 1997, from February to July, the chapel was severely damaged four times by unknown perpetrators. The wooden altar and three of the four pews were finally completely burned; wooden crosses, missal stands and other objects were also destroyed.
Then the interior painting and the windows had to be completely renewed by the company Winter from Hellenthal. The altar base was covered with a natural stone slab by the Jäger company from Hellenthal.
After the chapel had been placed under monument protection in 1987, the Arenberg administration, in close cooperation with the lower monument protection authority and the Rhenish Office for Monument Preservation, arranged for a thorough restoration of the interior and a new covering of the slate roof in autumn 1992. The Poth company from Marmagen was responsible for the plastering work, the March company from Schleiden was responsible for the painting work and the Esch & Scholzen company from Schleiden-Scheuren was responsible for the roofing work.
Source: Notice in the chapel / Arenberg Forestry Office Eifel in Schleiden
Translated by Google •
Tip by
11.4 km
End point
Bus stop
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
8.99 km
1.05 km
865 m
433 m
Surfaces
6.41 km
2.93 km
1.04 km
561 m
401 m
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Elevation
Highest point (600 m)
Lowest point (410 m)
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Weather
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Today
Wednesday 15 July
27°C
14°C
15 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 9.0 km/h
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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
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