Highlights of the circular hiking route "Romans, Knights & Volcanoes" are the two volcanoes Neuerburger Kopf and Lűxeberg, colloquially called Lűxemkopf.
Strategically important, the volcanic cone of Neuerburger Kopf stood on the Roman trade route Via Agrippa Koblenz - Trier. Even years later it was called Mercuriusberg as a tribute to Mercurius, the god of trade. It is also documented that two castles were built on the summit: it is uncertain whether a Frankish king already built a castle. Factually documented is the construction of a "robber nest" by Count Wilhelm of Luxemburg. His successor Archbishop Albero later built a novum castrum on mons Mercurii. In 1689 the fortress was finally destroyed by French troops. At the beginning of the 18th century, the residents of Neuerburg used the ruins as a quarry to rebuild the settlement that had been destroyed by fire. Today, sparse remains of walls on the summit recall the eventful history.
About 7 km circular hiking route on Neuerburger Kopf and around the smaller Lűxekopf with historical and geological features around the two oldest volcanoes of the Vulkaneifel.
The destination address is the parking lot at the community center in Neuerburg: Tannenstraße 6, 54516 Wittlich-Neuerburg
Neuerburg is accessible by public transport; current bus schedules in the Trier region can be found on the website www.vrt-info.de.
Several free parking spaces are available at the community center.
From the parking lot at the community center, the circular route first leads left over narrow, peaceful paths through Neuerburg. After crossing the (busy) Eichenstraße, the ascent begins through the beautiful Buchenstraße, the old village center of Oberdorf, to the former volcano.
After about 100 meters, the circular route turns right at the former homestead (1830) onto a narrow, ascending meadow path that ends in a paved access road. Continue on the left.
At the next intersection, two alternative ascent and descent options are offered:
Hikers who prefer to walk uphill are recommended to ascend on the left via the natural forest path to the place of contemplation and descend via the paved farm road. Those who prefer a much more challenging descent via the footpath walk in the opposite direction and ascend straight ahead via the farm road.
After the "summit storming," the circular hiking trail leads from the intersection about 100 meters straight ahead to the edge of the village. Here it turns right onto a natural farm road, flanked by a striking red sandstone cliff. Soon the path reaches the wide valley of the Wittlicher Senke with peacefully grazing Glan cattle from the Scheuerhof. The route continues past the inviting fields of the diversity garden Feldfreude before the path shortly before Bombogen turns left towards Lűxemkopf. The "Lűxe," Middle High German for small, impresses with the view of the imposing sandstone wall in one of the two former quarries. The route continues along the meadow to the outskirts of Bombogen. After a short climb on the paved farm road, the view from the height extends to the Moselle Mountains on the horizon; benches invite you to take a short break and linger.
At the junction of the paved farm road, the circular hiking trail turns left behind the bench and leads about 100 meters over a meadow path. At the end of the small forest area, it continues to the right over the meadow footpath. Soon the next forest section is reached. A newly created forest path leads to the woodpile area. The subsequent walk of about 700 meters first leads along high stacks of wood. In the shade of old trees and flanked by smaller rock walls, the forest is finally left behind. The ponds at Schattengraben complete the relaxed hiking experience, and those who want to calmly enjoy the panorama of Neuerburger Kopf can use one of the benches by the water for a small break before returning through the valley to Neuerburg.
The circular hiking route "Romans, Knights & Volcanoes" is signposted in both directions and can therefore also be walked in reverse.
The partly narrow paths require sure-footedness and, if necessary, appropriate equipment in the form of poles and/or hiking spikes.
In particular, the descent from the place of contemplation via the natural path through the forest back to the farm road is only recommended for experienced hikers. Poles and/or hiking spikes for support are helpful. Hikers who have difficulties with downhill sections are advised to ascend via the forest path and descend via the paved farm road.
Sturdy shoes and hiking poles and/or hiking spikes if needed.
On the way to the summit, interesting types of rock can be found at the roadside that impressively show the geological development in the Wittlicher Senke.
