Pellenzer Seepfad

This certified premium hiking trail, which is one of the Rhine-Moselle-Eifel-Land dream trails, offers unique insights into the volcanic past of the Eppelsberg. There are also great views of the Maria Laach monastery across Lake Laach. Highlights along the route: - Ash wall of the Laacher See volcano - Krufter forest lake - rocky outcrop - Magnificent panoramic views of the Siebengebirge and the Pellenz region - Lake Laach with a view of the Benedictine abbey of Maria Laach - Nickenich tumulus (Roman tomb) The tour starts at the car park at the Roman tumulus in Nickenich. The path first circles an idyllic valley before a short ascent leads past the impressive ash wall (Schwarze Wand) left behind by the Laacher See volcano 13,000 years ago. The location also impresses with a sweeping view of Nickenich. After a short ascent, it is worth taking a break at the Hermann Hut with its magnificent panoramic views. The trail then descends slightly and leads to the edge of the open-cast mine at Eppelsberg. After a passage through a mixed forest, you reach the rest area at Krufter Waldsee. The ascent to the summit begins on moderately ascending forest paths, but shortly before reaching the rock, the trail climbs steeply along an impressive rocky niche to the Teufelskanzel rocky outcrop with a fabulous distant view towards Kruft and the Neuwied basin. A comfortable high-level path leads to the "Am Krufter Ofen" refuge, then descends in serpentines through a mighty beech forest. The path leads across open fields to Lake Laach and offers the first glimpses of Maria Laach Monastery. Along the nearby shore, it is worth taking a detour to the lake shore to marvel at the so-called moffettes. The path soon turns right and climbs steeply uphill. Afterwards, comfortable forest paths and the crossing of the L 116 initially lead through a mixed forest to the Celtic tree circle. The last section of the route is characterised by recurring magnificent views of the Siebengebirge and the Pellenz. The route follows the edge of the forest in an arc around the sports field back to the Roman tomb.