At an elevation of 470 meters above sea level, you look southeast over the historic castle town of Reifferscheid. The site includes the castle complex with the outer bailey and the castle walls, as well as the valley settlement at the foot of the castle. The first documentary mention of Reifferscheid dates back to 1106. The oldest parts of the castle are almost as old. The present ruin was once a proud castle that belonged to the rule of the Counts of Salm-Reifferscheid. This powerful noble family had substantial holdings in the Eifel and the Lower Rhineland and held great influence in state and church. During the French occupation, the castle was expropriated and auctioned off in 1805. Changing owners subsequently used the site as a quarry. Thus, only the keep remains, which is now owned by the municipality of Hellenthal.
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