Hillesheim lies in the Vulkaneifel, a part of the Eifel known for its volcanic history, geographical and geological features, and even ongoing activity today, including gases that sometimes well up from the earth.

The town's arms can in English heraldic language be described thus: Tierced in mantle, dexter Argent a cross Gules, sinister Or a cramp Sable and in base Azure standing on a crescent of the third the Madonna and Child of the first, both with nimbus of the third, ensigning the shield a wall masoned, embattled of five and embowed with an arched gateway of the first.

Marking this is the so-called Mauerkrone – "wall crown" – on top of ("ensigning") the escutcheon (although curiously, the German blazon does not mention this part of the arms).

The cross on the dexter (armsbearer's right, viewer's left) side is the Electoral-Trier armorial bearing, referring to that state's rule over the town in feudal times.

The resident population is hoping that the gap in the A 1 between Daun-Rengen and Blankenheim in North Rhine-Westphalia will be filled, as all traffic currently rolls through Hillesheim, thereby causing very busy road conditions, especially on Fridays.

On the other hand, this does conflict with local retailers' interests, for they have been profiting from spontaneous purchases made by those passing through town for a long time.

The Geopfad Hillesheim, at 30 stations in the town's vicinity, casts light on the Eifel's geology and on the evidence of vulcanism in the Vulkaneifel.