Entdecker-Tour Hillesheim: Auf den Spuren der Kalkeifel

Discover the Kalkeifel region, wonderful natural landscapes and the Dreimühlen waterfall between Ahütte, Niederehe and Nohn on a circular tour.

The Dreimühlen waterfall is considered one of the most spectacular natural phenomena in the Eifel. Due to a sea that lay here over 300 million years ago, the subsoil is still very rich in limestone today. At the beginning of the 20th century, the spring streams were merged there to create a common outlet into the valley and make railway construction possible. The deposits continue to build up and a limestone sinter rock develops, which grows further into the valley every year. The spring water contains a lot of lime, which constantly clings to the moss and becomes encrusted there.

Today, the waterfall is a popular destination for holidaymakers and locals alike, not least because of the conversion of the adjacent railway line into a cycle path.

From Ahrdorf to Niederehe, the route takes you along the Kalkeifel cycle path. Along the way, you will reach Ahütte via Üxheim, from where you return to Ahrdorf via the Kalkeifel cycle path.

You start your tour at the historic railway station in the small village of Ahrdorf. This is where the Kalkeifel cycle path starts in the direction of Nohn. The Ahbach stream accompanies you along the way. After around 5 kilometres with a moderate incline, you reach the village of Ahütte, where you enter Ahbachstraße. This village is home to the lime works or natural stone works, which is still in operation today. The Kalkeifel cycle path continues to the left before the main road (follow the signs for the waterfall), where you will reach a highlight of the tour, the Dreimühlen waterfall, straight ahead in a beautiful landscape. Take a break and take the steps down to the waterfall to admire it in all its splendour and refresh yourself in the hot temperatures. The waterfall is located in the triangle formed by the villages of Ahütte, Niederehe and Nohn.

Further along the trail, you will pass the Nohn mill and finally reach the small village of Niederehe, which lies in the valley. Before entering the village, leave the Kalkeifel cycle path at the Fohnhof farm/ holiday flat and turn right up to the farm. Here you will climb to the highest point of the tour at 460 metres. At the end of the farm track, turn right onto the K74 and follow the road for 2 km until you have to cross the main road. After a few metres, you will reach Üxheim.

On the right, you will now reach Kirchstraße, where you can admire the Maria Himmelfahrt parish church. At the church, turn right into the path "Oben im Hähnchen". Keep straight on - after 500 metres you have reached the village of Ahütte again. At the bend in the road, turn left into "Im Erzberg" and then immediately turn right to reach the bridge that takes you over the main road. Once you reach the other side, turn left into Bahnhofstraße and back into Ahbachstraße. Here you can marvel at some animal friends such as goats, sheep and chickens. At the end of the village, turn left to return to the start of the Kalkeifel cycle path towards Ahrdorf.