Hikes in the Eifel

The landscape of the Eifel, which is partly located in North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate, is considered a unique natural paradise. For hiking tours in the Eifel, whether with family, friends, as a couple or alone, you can always choose the right route that suits you. Explore the forest and mountain landscape, master challenges on narrow or steep paths. Do something good for your health, get to know a lot of new things and find more serenity along the way.

„Where rock and water accompany you“: This is the motto of one of the most beautiful long-distance hiking trails. The Eifelsteig leads from Aachen, known as the city of Charlemagne's birth, to Trier on the Moselle. On the 313-kilometre route, you will also pass through Gerolstein. There you can hike through striking dolomite cliffs, the Buchenlochhle and a limestone reef. In addition to this premium hiking trail, there are other recommended hikes in stages.

One of these is the „Eifelleiter“, which runs for over 50 kilometres from the Rhine üvia the Brohl Valley to Adenau and connects three types of landscape. The Eifel National Park also has a lot to offer at any time of year, covering an area of over one hundred square kilometres. Several national park gates, with exhibitions on various topics, or guided ranger tours, are ideal for getting started.

Fire, earth, water and air: the elements still shape this landscape today. You can learn about volcanism on your hikes, in several museums or in the Volcano Park Adventure Centre near Mayen. There you can go on a treasure hunt in a mining landscape. The lava bomb in Strohn, up to six metres high, is also impressive. From here you can take the often natural lava trail that leads around the Pulvermaar.

On the volcano trail near Jünkerath everything revolves around Vulcanus, the god of fire. Not far away, at Steffeln, a tour of the volcano garden with information boards is worthwhile. The Vulcano Trail is also dedicated to these and other exciting natural phenomena, with two 16-kilometre circular routes: the „Maarroute“ from Schalkenmehren and the „Märchenroute“ from Ellscheid.

They are called the blue eyes of the Eifel: the maars, a trademark of the region. On your hikes, for example on the Maare-Pfad in the Volcanic Eifel Nature and Geopark, you will learn how maars, crater lakes and bubbling springs were formed 

Other of these lakes have names like Holz- or Hetsche-Maar. While some have silted up over the course of time, other maar lakes are perfect for swimming or a pedal boat ride.

If you are interested in archaeological finds, you can visit a Roman villa near Bollendorf or Holsthum and walk along the Roman path near Newel. Fans of castles, castles and churches also get their money's worth when hiking in the Eifel: among other things, you can explore the Celtic castle Dietzenley and the Luminous Castle in Gerolstein or visit the Basilica of St. Salvator in Prüm. You can set out on the „Manderscheider Burgenstieg“ or take on the „Monrealer Ritterschlag“ which is considered one of the most beautiful German hiking trails.

In general, historic small towns and pretty villages are good places to start or finish your hiking tours: whether Bad Münstereifel in the north, Blankenheim or Bitburg further south, Manderscheid, Mayen or Hausen on the slopes of the Sonnenberg. Kronenburg, with its old village centre and lake, is idyllically situated on a mountain cone. Wide views can be enjoyed from the „Wei&szlig Stein“ or „Schwarzer Mann“. In winter, you can also hike in the snow on the mountains.

Many of the sights and shorter hiking trails mentioned can also be explored with children. In some places there are other circular walks for families, for example at Holzmaar near Gillenfeld or the fairytale walk through the rock forest of Bollendorf. For the imagination and fitness of the somewhat older ones, there are circular trails through the Teufelsschlucht (Devil's Gorge) near Irrel. You can combine this adventure with the nearby nature park centre and dinosaur park, where prehistory can be explored in a playful way. You can also experience flora, fauna and fun on circular trails

• at the Daun Game and Adventure Park
• at the Eifelpark Gondorf
• at the Eagle and Wolf Park Kasselburg
• at the Eifel Zoo Lünebach

Of course, the first question visitors and outdoor enthusiasts ask when planning a holiday is:

Where is the best place to go hiking in the Eifel?

The good news: In principle, the entire area of the Eifel National Park is excellently suited for a hiking holiday. However, if you want to find absolute hiking highlights in the Eifel as quickly as possible, and if the Eifelsteig is a bit too long for you, the best thing to do is to follow the dream trails. As the name suggests, you will find absolutely dreamlike hiking trails under this heading. From easy to difficult, everything is there - including wonderful views!