The best walks and hikes around Gamlen

Susi and Bettina have already reported extensively on the Geringer Mühle. Even if you pass by for the third or fifth time, you are always amazed by the water wheel with the dragon spout, or you take a look into the small chapel.

A water wheel with a dragon's spout at the Geringer Mühle. Right next to it is another "dragon".

Picturesquely overlooked by the two castle ruins of Löwenburg and Philippsburg, the timber-framed village of Monreal lies nestled in the idyllic Elz valley. In the village, three stone bridges cross the Elz, the middle of which, a road bridge, is adorned with the statue of John of Nepomuk and the lion monument, unique in the Rhineland. The numerous half-timbered houses from the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries – a relic of the Baroque-era cloth makers – are also noteworthy monuments of art. Middle Ages are also encountered by the visitor, for example in the 13th-century parish church or the 12th-century cemetery chapel. The history of Monreal, with its numerous ups and downs, reflects the historical development of the entire Eifel region. In addition to the already mentioned idyllic location and picturesque village center, numerous hiking trails, including the Traumpfad „Monrealer Ritterschlag“ with its impressive viewpoints, invite you to experience the unique landscape. Source: rlp-tourismus.com/de/ausflugsziele/ortsgemeinde-monreal/poi.html

The narrow alleys of Monreal, its quaint Holy Trinity Church, the massive Nepomuk Bridge over the clearly flowing Elzbach, and the ruins of Löwenburg and Philippsburg high above the town are a beautiful destination in the eastern Eifel. Monreal repeatedly won the competition „Unser Dorf hat Zukunft“ (Our Village Has a Future). The red-and-white half-timbered houses huddle closely together, especially the 15th-century Viergiebelhaus, which transports strollers into a fairytale past. The still wonderfully well-preserved half-timbered houses bear witness to the prosperity that Monreal achieved through sheep wool processing and cloth production from the 17th century onwards. In the second half of the 19th century, manual labor was no longer competitive against international, industrialized competitors, and the population became impoverished. A fate that Monreal shares with the equally picturesque Monschau. Monreal is not only a visually relaxing destination for the soul. Café Plüsch with its cozy interior, the Old Rectory with its country garden and sunny terrace on the stream bank, or the former signal box on the outskirts of town are perfect addresses for gourmets. The originally furnished restaurant on the former railway line is connected to the medieval town center via a promenade along the Elzbach. A highlight for lovers of arts and crafts is the pottery in the Old School with its colorful ceramics, also exhibited in a terraced garden. Hikers will get their money's worth on the Traumpfad Monrealer Ritterschlag trail and will be rewarded for the sometimes steep passages with wonderful views. Source: eifel.info/pois/monreal

Monreal with its historic town center is a gem of the Eifel. The picturesque location on the Elzbach, with the many half-timbered houses and the higher-lying castle ruins, is beautiful to behold.

Monreal with its historic town center is a gem of the Eifel. The picturesque location on the Elzbach, with the many half-timbered houses and the higher castle ruins, is beautiful to behold.

A total of three small bridges cross the Elz, allowing you to switch from one bank to the other at various points. The most beautiful is probably the bridge in the middle, the Johannesbrücke. It is equipped with both a lion monument and the statue of Saint John of Nepomuk. John of Nepomuk or John of Pomuk was a Bohemian priest and is considered the patron saint of bridges. The lion monument is certainly one of Monreal's most impressive sights. It dates from the 15th century and consists of four lions carved in basalt. Source: https://travel-see-xperience.com/2022/02/20/monreal/

Two-arched bridge over the Elzbach, c. 1500; wayside cross, 16th century; four lion figures, from 1831; Nepomuk sculpture (copy of the original from 1803, J. Matthias Büls, Monreal)