At an altitude of 470 metres above sea level, you look south-east over the historic castle town of Reifferscheid. The village includes the castle complex with the outer castle and the castle ring as well as the valley settlement at the foot of the castle.

The first documented mention of Reifferscheid dates back to 1106 and the oldest parts of the castle are almost as old. Today's ruins were once a proud castle which belonged to the reign of the Counts of Salm-Reifferscheid. The powerful noble family had considerable possessions in the Eifel and on the Lower Rhine and had great influence in state and church.

During the French occupation, the castle was expropriated and auctioned in 1805. Changing owners subsequently used the site as a quarry. Thus only the keep was preserved, which is now owned by the municipality of Hellenthal.