Best river trails in Eifel National Park
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
Top trails
- 4.4 (444)·Moderate·7.9 mi·Est. 4–4.5 hrPopular 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...
- 4.6 (390)·Moderate·6.5 mi·Est. 3–3.5 hrScenic loop in the Eifel National Park, North Rhine-Westphalia This beautiful Eifel hike can be walked in both directions. No matter which direction, one of the most beautiful vantage points in North Rhine-Westphalia awaits! The hike begins at the car park at the Rurberg pumping station, near Paulushofdamm. The dam is crossed and then it goes either to the left steeply up into the forest and to the Hirschley viewpoint or to the right along the banks of the Urft to the Urfttalsperre and from...
- 4.6 (238)·Hard·10.5 mi·Est. 4.5–5 hrPopular loop route in the Eifel National Park, North Rhine-Westphalia. This scenic tour is all about the water. The starting point is in Einruhr, and it goes through the lush deciduous forests near the banks of the Obersee. After crossing the impressive Urftsee dam, the path runs along the banks of the Obersee in the direction of Rurberg. After crossing the Paulushofdamm, there are cafés and a snack bar in the village. On the lake's western shore, it then returns to Einruhr. If the whole...
- 4.6 (140)·Moderate·8.7 mi·Est. 4–4.5 hrVaried hiking and running tour in the Eifel National Park, North Rhine-Westphalia. A beautiful loop through the forest and across the open landscape of the Dreiborn plateau. There are well signposted paths on the Dreiborn plateau. The site was formerly used as a military training area and hiking is only permitted on approved paths. The view of the lakes and the abandoned village of Wollseifen is particularly beautiful. Highlights of the tour: - Dreiborn plateau - Urft Dam - Abandoned...
- 4.6 (84)·Easy·3 mi·Est. 1.5–2 hrPopular hiking route in the Eifel National Park, North Rhine-Westphalia. This short tour begins at the Rurberg National Park gate and leads over the dam, along the Obersee and Urft into the magnificent low mountain range landscape of the Eifel National Park. That's where the wilderness of tomorrow comes into being. The concept of the national park envisages such zones in which man no longer interferes with nature. Accompanied by oak trees, it's quite a steep climb up a sunny mountain slope....
- 4.2 (133)·Moderate·8.5 mi·Est. 4–4.5 hrPanoramic hiking tour in Heimbach, North Rhine-Westphalia. On this route you can marvel at the most beautiful sides of the Kermeter while being in the midst of a landscape of forest and water in the beautiful Eifel National Park. The almost 14-kilometer hike leads through oak and beech forests. On average, the trees here are 90 years old, although there are also specimens that are 250 years old. You first hike a few kilometers along the Rursee on well-developed paths. Later you reach the...
- 4.5 (131)·Hard·16.3 mi·Est. 7–7.5 hrPopular 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...
- 4.5 (88)·Moderate·5.7 mi·Est. 2.5–3 hrIdyllic 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
- 4.5 (70)·Hard·11 mi·Est. 5–5.5 hrPanoramic loop in the Eifel National Park, North Rhine-Westphalia. This marvellous hike is quite long, but apart from a few steep climbs, it is easy to master with a medium level of fitness. Along the way, the beautiful landscape of the Dreiborn plateau and the lakeside paths along the Obersee lake can be enjoyed. There are always benches to rest and eat at for a picnic. There are refreshment stops in Rurberg, at the Urft dam and in Einruhr. The hike can also be walked in a clockwise...
- 4.6 (73)·Hard·13.5 mi·Est. 6.5–7 hrThis route is stage 4 of the Eifelsteig, a long-distance trail through North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate. This specific section starts in Einruhr and ends in Gemünd. The path leads along the steep slopes of the Obersee lake up to the Dreiborn Plateau, passing through the historic Vogelsang IP site and the ghost village of Wollseifen. Hikers enjoy vast panoramic views over the Eifel National Park before descending into the valley town of Gemünd. Overnight stays are available...
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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 river trail to hike in Eifel National Park?
According to users from AllTrails.com, the best river trail to hike in Eifel National Park is Bird Watching Loop: From Vogelsang over the Urftseebrücke, which has a 4.4 star rating from 444 reviews. This trail is 7.9 mi long with an elevation gain of 1,371 ft.
What is the longest river trail in Eifel National Park?
According to AllTrails.com, the longest river trail in Eifel National Park is Wilderness Trail. This trail is estimated to be 52.9 mi long.
How many river trails are in Eifel National Park?
There are 109 river trails in Eifel National Park.These river trails have an average 4.4-star ratingfrom NaN AllTrails community reviews.
Which river trail has the most elevation gain in Eifel National Park?
Wilderness Trail has the most elevation gain for river trails with 7,703 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Rurseerunde in 3 Etappen, which has 6,138 ft of elevation gain.
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