Hetsche Maar

The Hetsche Maar was formed around 40,000 to 70,000 years ago through one to two eruptions before the Holzmaar and the Dürre Maar, making it the oldest maar in the Holzmaar group. In this maar group, the Hetsche Maar, the Dürre Maar, and the Holzmaar are arranged side by side. They formed sequentially from northwest to southeast.

After its formation, the Hetsche Maar quickly filled with sediment and became a boggy sedge marsh. Today, this maar, which is located at an altitude of 459 meters above sea level, is the smallest maar in the Eifel, with a diameter of 60 meters. It is deeply embedded in the surrounding fields but is visible from Kreisstraße 18. The crater, where volcanic ejecta from the Dürre Maar can be traced, is about 5 meters deep. In place of the once water-filled basin, a wetland habitat with sedges and rushes has developed.

In addition to many bird species that can nest here in peace, toads and frogs particularly thrive in this environment. There are so many that locals named the dry maar after its inhabitants. For "Hetsch" is the local dialect name for the toad.

You can best discover the Hetsche Maar on a walk along the varied "Määrchen Nature Trail" at the Sammetbach, which also leads past the Holzmaar and Dürre Maar. This is a wonderful short hike of about four kilometers, starting and ending at the parking lot, especially great for families with children.

Parking:
Coming from Gillefeld, the L 16 turns right directly behind the Holzmaar. There is a large parking lot on the left side, and it is only a few minutes on foot to the Hetsche Maar.

Opening times

Monday	00:00–24:00
Tuesday	00:00–24:00
Wednesday	00:00–24:00
Thursday	00:00–24:00
Friday	00:00–24:00
Saturday	00:00–24:00
Sunday	00:00–24:00

open all year round