Eifel Loop Milchweg Trail

Finally sun, you just have to get out. This hike is great. Very varied and the touch of winter was just beautiful.

Very nice tour. We went the other way around and because we didn't want to take the same route back to the starting point, we followed the “Milk Path”. The way is about 1km longer. The section with “Steinfeldheistert” can already be replaced above with a section “Milk Path”.

Start at the Steinfeld monastery Steinfeld and I have decided on the right direction. After going moderately downhill through the forest, the path led past meadows and fields that are still in bloom. You could enjoy great views of the surrounding area and the monastery, watch cows and llamas. The way back led through a lot of forest at midday, just right at 22 degrees and sun. Towards the end, the Eifel trace sign had disappeared, and instead there was the Milchweg, which also ended at the monastery.

Our starting and finishing point was the P2 parking lot (free) below (from the village of Urft) Steinfeld Monastery. The first section of our route is part of the "Milk Trail" Eifel Loop. The paths converge after a short distance. The route is more scenic. The signage and trails are very good. At the end of the hike, you can reward yourself with a piece of cake at the Steinfeld Monastery Café.

The Steinfeld monastery and the heath landscape around Krekel and Sistig in the municipality of Kall are the focus of the 10-kilometer hiking tour "EifelSpur Heideheimat". The starting point of the circular hiking trail is the Steinfeld monastery in Urft-Steinfeld. But first I go the way, I always keep the basilica until the end when I'm in Steinfeld to see if St. Hermann Josef also has enough apples. Then it goes up to the Sistig-Krekeler Heide, an Eldorado for flora and fauna, along winding paths. Many different plant species compete here for bees and butterflies. Grasshoppers chirp and insect wings flap. The thousands of specimens of the spotted orchid that grow on the meager meadows are very striking. In addition to the colorful meadows, there are also species-rich mat grass lawns with arnica, small fens over which the cotton tufts of narrow-leaved cotton grass sway and in late summer the marsh gentian opens its blue funnel flowers. Today, however, not much of the flowers could be seen. Nature still needs some time. The path runs partly with the Eifel loop Milchweg and the Eifel loop Bären und Bärlauch and the Eifelsteig. When we got back to Steinfeld, we first had a cappucino in the monastery cafe. Then I went through the wrought-iron gate of the monastery gate. The basilica, which is one of the most important medieval monuments in the Rhineland, fascinates me again and again. I hope there will be organ concerts again soon. As the son of a poor Cologne family, Saint Hermann Josef became a Premonstratensian canon at the age of twelve in Steinfeld Monastery (Kall). After training in Mariengaarde (German: Mariengarten) near Hallum (Ferwerderadiel), he returned to Steinfeld and was ordained a priest. He then worked as a pastor in Steinfeld and the surrounding area and became the sexton of the monastery. He was best known for his mystical marriage to the Virgin Mary, which earned him the nickname Joseph. Even before he was accepted as a canon, he is said to have brought apples as a gift to the statue of the Mother of God in the church of St. Maria im Kapitol in Cologne. Since then he has also been referred to as the "apple saint". Traditionally, apples are still regularly placed both on the tomb in the basilica in Steinfeld and under the statue of Mary in the choir of St. Maria in the Capitol.

Very nice tour, with actually still a bit of snow. Well signposted, followed by a stop at Steinfeld Abbey. Prices are very moderate in the monastery cafe.

Today, in the best hiking weather, we hiked the Eifel trail "Heideheimat" planned and guided by Klaus Ehlen with small changes to the route. We started at Steinfeld Monastery, initially via the Eifel loop "Milchweg", which we later left again to follow the Eifel trail. The Eifel trails and loops are excellently marked and can be connected to each other, so that orientation is good and getting lost is almost impossible. We were delighted by the large number of plants now in bloom, the wonderful play of colors of the grass swaying in the wind, and the lush green of the mown meadows and leaves on the trees. The paths and trails were dry and easy to walk except for a few places. After a good 10 km we reached our starting point again and strengthened ourselves for the journey home, which we set off in a cheerful and satisfied mood after a short visit to the baroque basilica and a "thank you" to "Saint Hermann-Josef". I would like to recommend this tour for a👍👍👍🌞 late hike when the weather is nice. When it is wet and muddy, it is less suitable due to the risk of slipping.

Nice and varied hike near Steinfeld Monastery, which you should take a closer look at, is worthwhile ..... beautiful grounds, church, cloister and prelature as well as a "hike" in the labyrinth. The monastery cafe with shops also offers a pleasant stop.