Gerolstein Forest Educational Trail

The forest educational trail begins at the Fuchsbau hiking parking lot near Hotel Löwenstein and initially runs under the canopy of old, mighty pines through the school forest. Here, visitors find a variety of tree and shrub species in a very small area.

Under the strong oak canopy, the path leads through the water protection area to the Büschkapelle chapel. Along spruce and pine forests, past the Grafenkreuz, visitors reach species-rich mountain mixed forests with beech, ash, sycamore maple, elm, and silver fir. The change in forest communities is caused by a north-south trending terrain fracture. Here, Buntsandstein layers from the Mesozoic era directly meet young volcanic formations.

Over a hollow path, accompanied by mighty beeches, the hiker reaches the Davitskreuz. Spruce forests and mountain mixed forests line the way up to the Dietzenley. At 618 meters above sea level, this volcanic cone is the highest point of the city forest.

Below the wooded summit, the remains of an old Celtic ring wall can be viewed. Worked basalt millstones testify to the craftsmanship of our ancestors. A highlight is the viewing tower of the Dietzenley, made from entire oak trunks.

The panoramic view from the tower allows visitors to see far across the unique Eifel landscape. A rustic shelter invites you to linger and enjoy.

The descent via the Heidkopf is characterized by old and mighty pine forests with extensive blueberry occurrences. The last section runs along an attractive sandy path through an older oak stand characteristic of the Gerolstein city forest and ends again at the starting point.