Narcissus route – hedges, pearls and daffodils

A great addition to the Eifelsteig awaits us with the Narcissus route at Höfen, on the edge of the Eifel National Park. In the Perlenbach and Fuhrtsbach valley nature reserve, a special natural spectacle takes place from mid-April. When the warming rays of the spring sun are strong enough, the yellow daffodil transforms the meadows into fragrant, yellow carpets of flowers. The special quality of the Perlenbach water allowed the settlement of the freshwater pearl mussel. Between the 17th and 19th centuries, even pearl farming was carried out here. Today, the mussel is considered nearly extinct here as well. Only a few ancient specimens are preserved in a hidden place, which is kept secret due to the risk of negligent destruction.