Rock Trail 5 - Prümer Burg Castle

This Wanerroute in the NaturWanderPark delux starts at an extremely exciting point: the "Irrel Waterfalls". Thousands of years ago, the Prüm River had already blasted its way through fallen rocks here, creating a romantic river landscape with mighty boulders and numerous rapids. But this landscape is history. Violent floods following heavy rains in July 2021 swept away the former bridge and its approach, tearing huge boulders from the embankment and completely transforming this section of the river overnight. From the new suspension bridge, let yourself be impressed by the destructive and at the same time creative forces that have raged here.
On the Felsenweg 5 you hike the eastern flank of the Prüm valley between Irrel and Holsthum. The trail first leads you south to the Katzenkopf with its Westwall Museum, one of the few World War II tank factories to be visited. Shake off the dark thoughts, take a deep breath of fresh forest air and follow northward the wooded ridge between Prüm and Nims. Flanked by bizarre rock towers, you hike along a cliff edge with breathtaking views into the Prüm Valley, pass the settlement of Prümer Burg, touch the Rochus Chapel and reach the heights of Holsthumerberg, where the route now turns back down the valley.

Rapids, hop fields and impressive views

From up here, Holsthum presents itself like a beautifully designed toy landscape: scattered orchards, pastures and fields, gardens and houses form a colorful mosaic of a lively cultural landscape. A special feature are the large hop fields, because one of the best hops in Germany is grown here - in the only hop-growing region of Rhineland-Palatinate.
Let yourself be intoxicated by the scent of freshly mown meadows and the warmth of the sun-flooded valley. Even the Romans felt at home here! The remains of the Roman villa on the right side of the trail prove this. Above Prümzurlay you will come across the ruins of the Prümeburg, the "ancient castle of the Layen". Climb the pentagonal fortified tower and reward yourself with the fantastic view over the Prüm valley - a wonderful photo motif! From here, it's a leisurely walk through sparse hillside forest back to the "Irreler Wasserfälle".