Kesternich between village history and the Eifel landscape

Kesternich is an elevated Eifel village on the edge of Eifel National Park. Tall red beech hedges characterize the village and provide a distinctive landscape setting for its appearance. Its location on the edge of Eifel National Park establishes the geographical setting, while the hedges shape the immediate village landscape. At the centre are the listed Church of St. Peter and Paul and six stone grave crosses. The Kesternich village walk and the Two Valleys Trail open up further routes through the Eifel landscape. Kesternich is an ideal starting point for hikes.

The village walk with panoramic views

The Kesternich village walk is approximately 5.2 kilometres long, takes around two hours and includes about 56 metres of elevation gain. For a single hike, the route length, time required and ascent can be planned together. The approximate duration can be used as a time window for the circuit. The route offers panoramic views in almost every direction. There are enough benches along the village walk to enjoy the surrounding landscape at leisure. If you plan breaks, you can use the benches along the route. With panoramic views in almost every direction, these pauses can also be used to observe the landscape. On a circuit through Kesternich, you can combine the time frame with the approximately 5.2 kilometres and around 56 metres of elevation gain. For planning your day, you can use the roughly two hours as a guide. The information on distance and elevation gain can also be considered separately. A fixed time frame helps distribute walking sections and breaks over the same circuit. The approximate figures leave room for your personal pace.

St. Peter and Paul in the village centre

The listed Church of St. Peter and Paul stands in the centre of Kesternich. It is dedicated to the holy apostles Peter and Paul and the Fourteen Holy Helpers. The new church building from 1899/1900 was blown up by the German military in September 1944. The church was rebuilt in 1951/52. It is therefore a distinctive part of the village landscape and, at the same time, a tangible site of Kesternich's architectural history.

Six stone grave crosses

Six stone grave crosses stand in the centre of Kesternich, near the parish church. They are among the oldest in the region and complement the church with another testament to the area's local past. Their proximity to the parish church makes the six crosses an independent historical point of interest in the village centre.

The Two Valleys Trail

The Two Valleys Trail connects the river valleys of the Eiserbach and Tiefenbach. The former oil mill is located on the Tiefenbach. For hikers, this trail broadens the view from the village centre to the two river valleys and a site with a former use. The connection between the Eiserbach and Tiefenbach is reflected in the trail's name itself.

Kester Lehmschwalbe children's carnival session

The annual children's carnival session of Kesternich's KG Kester Lehmschwalbe is part of the local events calendar. The programme includes performances by children's groups and the proclamation of the children's carnival royalty.

Further destinations: Steckenborn and Einruhr.

For the overarching travel overview: Simmerath.