Best wildlife 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 (448)·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 (240)·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...
- 4.5 (204)·Moderate·5.7 mi·Est. 2.5–3 hrPanoramic 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"
- 4.6 (143)·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...
- 4.2 (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 (98)·Easy·2.8 mi·Est. 1–1.5 hrBarrier-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
- 4.5 (132)·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 (89)·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
- 4.6 (60)·Moderate·3.7 mi·Est. 1.5–2 hrBeautiful views in the Eifel National Park. Beginning at the small marina in Rurberg, which is served by the Rursee shipping during the season, this magnificent route leads over the dam wall and then into the forest that is becoming wilder. This part of the trail is quite steep in places and uphill. The apex is not far from the foothills of the Kermeter. The way back runs along the lake shore and offers truly magnificent views. Highlights: - idyllic forest - Rurberg National Park Gate -...
- 4.6 (100)·Moderate·4.8 mi·Est. 2–2.5 hrMeditative loop in the Eifel National Park, North Rhine-Westphalia This hike was created by the "Church in the Eifel National Park" network and the National Park administration. Under the motto "On the trail of life", a spiritual approach to nature in the beautiful Eifel landscape can be found along several stations. The Creation Path itself is 3km long and leads up to the Dreiborn plateau. If you want, you can also go on a guided hike (see tips). Depending on the weather, the path can be a...
Visitor info
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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Activities
Attractions
- Beach trails in Eifel National Park
- Cave trails in Eifel National Park
- Easy trails in Eifel National Park
- Forest trails in Eifel National Park
- Hard trails in Eifel National Park
- Lake trails in Eifel National Park
- Long trails in Eifel National Park
- Moderate trails in Eifel National Park
- River trails in Eifel National Park
- Trails with historic sites in Eifel National Park
- Trails with views in Eifel National Park
- Wildflower trails in Eifel National Park
- Wildlife trails in Eifel National Park