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Best partially-paved trails in Eifel National Park

Best partially-paved trails in Eifel National Park

4.4(1,607 reviews)

·

Germany
: 
#5 of 16 national parks

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The Eifel National Park was founded in 2004 and is the first and only national park in North Rhine-Westphalia. The park is located on the border between Germany and Belgium and offers many kilometers of hiking, cycling and riding trails. The park is also home to the famous Wilderness Trail, which is divided into 4 stages and runs between Monschau and Höfen. Another well-known through route, the Eifelsteig, runs through the park. Guided tours are offered by park rangers, but the hiking trails can also be explored on your own.

Top sights

Hirschley
Hirschley
Picnic site
Fledermaushöhle
Fledermaushöhle
Cave
Blick auf Urftsee
Blick auf Urftsee
Viewpoint
Urftsee
Urftsee
Reservoir
Station 7
Station 7
Hut
Hohenbach
Hohenbach
Spring

Top trails

  1. #1 - Bird Watching Loop: From Vogelsang over the Urftseebrücke

    4.4 (457)·Moderate·7.9 mi·Est. 4–4.5 hr
    Popular loop in the Eifel National Park, North Rhine-Westphalia This route, which is part of the "Tippeltouren Eifel", begins at Vogelsang Castle, where hikers interested in history like to take a look around. From there it leads to the Dreiborn plateau, which offers wonderful panoramic views of the nature of the national park. From there it goes down and a bit through the forest to the Urfttalsperre and along the lake back to the starting point. There is a restaurant at the visitor center...

  2. #2 - Wilder Kermeter and Hirschley

    4.5 (207)·Moderate·5.7 mi·Est. 2.5–3 hr
    Panoramic hike in the Eifel National Park, North Rhine-Westphalia The loop leads through the Wilder Kermeter and to the popular Hirschley vantage point, from where you can enjoy wonderful views of the Eifel landscape. If you take some provisions with you, you can also enjoy a picnic with the beautiful view. Highlights: - Hirschley viewpoint - Wild trail near route - Viewpoint "View of Urftsee"

  3. #3 - "Wilden Kermeter" Loop

    4.5 (99)·Easy·2.8 mi·Est. 1–1.5 hr
    Barrier-free loop for the whole family near Heimbach, North Rhine-Westphalia. This family-friendly trail can be explored independently or as a guided tour with a ranger. The Hirschley viewpoint is a wonderful spot for a picnic with great views included. Highlights: - Hirschley viewpoint with tactile bronze model - Vogelsang lookout point

  4. #4 - Rursee Loop

    4.5 (132)·Hard·16.3 mi·Est. 7–7.5 hr
    Popular loop hike in the Eifel National Park, North Rhine-Westphalia This route in the Eifel National Park leads around the Rurstausee and always provides wonderful views of the lake and the surrounding Eifel landscape. On the way, it crosses three dams, including the 480 m long "Rurtalsperre Schwammenauel" dam, which is one of the largest dams in Germany. There are overnight accommodations and refreshment stops in Rurberg. Highlights of the hike: - Rursee - Rurtalsperre - wonderful views...

  5. #5 - Monastery Loop

    4.5 (90)·Moderate·5.7 mi·Est. 2.5–3 hr
    Idyllic loop in the Eifel National Park, North Rhine-Westphalia This beautiful loop is one of the Eifel tipple tours and a well-known highlight of the hiking routes in the national park. It leads to Mariawald Trappist Abbey and then around the Heimbach reservoir. It also passes the Art Nouveau Heimbach power station. There are refreshment stops in Mariawald and on the banks of the Rur. Highlights: - Hengebach Castle near the route - Mariawald Monastery - Heimbach power station

  6. #6 - Heimbach Reservoir Loop

    4.3 (44)·Moderate·5.1 mi·Est. 2–2.5 hr
    Beautiful loop near Heimbach in the Eifel National Park. A nice walk through the woods surrounding this important reservoir. The Heimbach dam in Heimbach, together with the Obermaubach reservoir, serves as a balancing reservoir for the hydroelectric power plants. One of them is built in the Art Nouveau style - power generation should also be nice to look at. The paths are well maintained and there are many beautiful places along the way. There are also delicious places to stop for...

  7. #7 - Mariawald and Heimbach Reservoir North Bank

    4.6 (51)·Moderate·7.1 mi·Est. 3.5–4 hr
    Varied hiking tour in Mariawald, North Rhine-Westphalia. This fantastic circular hike is located in the Eifel National Park and leads through a picturesque natural landscape. The highlight on this path is the Heimbach dam. Highlights of the tour: - Heimbach reservoir - Castle Hengebach - Along the Rur - Mariawald Monastery - Steinbachtal - Eifel resort holiday village

  8. #8 - Wilder Kermeter - Urftsee - Hirschley

    4.5 (42)·Moderate·6.4 mi·Est. 3–3.5 hr
    Beautiful hiking trail at the Urftsee in the Eifel National Park, North Rhine-Westphalia. This loop runs along the banks of the Urftsee and over shady forest paths to the Urftseetalsperre. Here you can take a break in the excursion restaurant and then start the ascent in the direction of the Honigberg. At the Hirschley viewpoint you can take a break on the benches and enjoy the view. Highlights: - Urftsee reservoir - Urftseetalsperre - Hirschley viewpoint

  9. #9 - Rurberg-Hirschley Loop

    4.5 (37)·Moderate·6.3 mi·Est. 3–3.5 hr
    Scenic circular hike in the Eifel National Park, North Rhine-Westphalia. The route starts in Rurberg, crosses the Paulushofdamm and then goes up towards Honigberg. The impressive Rur dam, lush forests with oak and beech trees and easy-to-walk paths look like a short cure in the great outdoors. A special highlight is the well-signposted Hirschley viewing point. A wonderful and romantic panoramic view from there rewards the climb. You can enjoy a well-deserved rest with a picnic and a...

  10. #10 - Von Heimbach über Vogelsang zur Urfter Staumauer

    4.5 (38)·Hard·15.2 mi·Est. 7.5–8.5 hr
    Great view hiking loop where you get to see Urft Dam and Vogelsang historic site. Either direction is great and both the Urft Dam and Vogelsang have restaurants you can stop at to have a drink and some food. Paths are clearly marked and well maintained. Some sections have shade and others are in the sun. Great day long hiking trip!
Showing results 1–10 of 45
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Visitor info

Accessibility
Facilities

The easiest way to access the national park is via the information centers (or "national park gates") in Simmerath-Rurberg, Nideggen, Heimbach and Mönschau-Höfen. There is a tourist information office and exhibitions on various topics relating to the national park. Exciting information about flora and fauna is available at the Eifel National Park Center at the "International Place" Vogelsang IP. The center is open all year round, but the daily opening hours vary in summer and winter.

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Frequently asked questions

Where is the best partially-paved trail to hike in Eifel National Park?

According to users from AllTrails.com, the best partially-paved trail to hike in Eifel National Park is Bird Watching Loop: From Vogelsang over the Urftseebrücke, which has a 4.4 star rating from 457 reviews. This trail is 7.9 mi long with an elevation gain of 1,371 ft.

What is the longest partially-paved trail in Eifel National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, the longest partially-paved trail in Eifel National Park is Wilderness Trail. This trail is estimated to be 52.9 mi long.

How many partially paved trails are in Eifel National Park?

There are 45 partially paved trails in Eifel National Park.These partially paved trails have an average 4.4-star ratingfrom NaN AllTrails community reviews.

Which partially paved trail has the most elevation gain in Eifel National Park?

Wilderness Trail has the most elevation gain for partially paved trails with 7,703 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is MTB Tour: West Wall and Vogelsang, which has 5,475 ft of elevation gain.

Activities

Attractions

Suitability

Points of interest