Eckfeld: Maar, Nature Forest Trail and Church History
Accommodation in Eckfeld
Eckfeld is a small settlement in the Vulkaneifel. Its geological past, church history and outdoor themes give the place a range of distinct features. The Eckfeld Maar, St. Katharina, the Määrchen Nature Forest Trail and creative workshops in the former village school appeal to different interests. If you are looking for a hotel in Eckfeld, you can tailor your stay according to whether you are particularly interested in fossils, nature, architectural history or creative work of your own.
The Eckfeld Maar and the history of its discoveries
The Eckfeld Maar formed around 44 million years ago during an early phase of Eifel volcanism. It is one of Europe’s most important fossil sites. Information boards around the Eckfeld dry maar present fossil finds and the conclusions drawn from them. The focus is therefore both on the finds and on the insights gained from them.
The Eckfeld dry maar has been protected since 1988; digging on your own is prohibited. Visitors to the excavation site are advised to park at the Eckfeld sports ground and walk a short distance. Check this recommendation before your arrival in case conditions have changed.
St. Katharina: Building history spanning several centuries
St. Katharina was first built in the 1450s as an extension to Eckfeld’s defensive tower. Its west tower dates from the second half of the 15th century and was originally fortified. The church was rebuilt after a fire in the 19th century. The original construction and the later rebuilding thus represent different periods in the local history of the church.
Nature trails, cycling route and creative work
The Määrchen Nature Forest Trail is designed especially for children; along the forest paths, the forest ecosystem is explained in a playful way. Its focus differs from that of the information boards at the dry maar: the trail is about forest ecology, while the area around the dry maar focuses on fossil finds and the conclusions drawn from them.
The Maare-Mosel Cycle Route passes directly by Eckfeld. Within the wider Bernkastel-Wittlich destination, the 58.5-kilometre route runs from Daun to Bernkastel-Kues along a disused railway line. This distinguishes the route’s local connection from its broader course without combining them into a single stretch.
Eckfeld offers creative workshops in the former village school. Participants work with wood and natural stone; the instruction ranges from basic practical training to support with artistic design. This gives the offering a different focus from the trails and fossil site: here, the emphasis is on hands-on work with materials.
The wider Bernkastel-Wittlich destination
The wider Bernkastel-Wittlich destination brings together the volcanic Eifel, the romantic Moselle Valley and the HunsrĂĽck, rich in forests and meadows. The 816-metre-high Erbeskopf is a popular hiking destination and offers a wide range of winter sports. The National Park Gate at Erbeskopf provides information about nature and the environment and features an interactive multimedia exhibition focusing on forests and moors.
Cultural attractions also add to the appeal of Bernkastel-Wittlich: the Pilgrimage Church of the Visitation of Mary in Klausen was consecrated in 1502, and Klausen is still a destination for pilgrims every year. The Cusanus birthplace in Kues is used as a museum and event venue and presents a permanent exhibition about Nicholas of Cusa. These regional themes offer another perspective alongside Eckfeld’s geological, church-history and nature-related highlights.
Discover more destinations: Greimerath, Niederscheidweiler, Eisenschmitt, GroĂźlittgen, Hasborn, Pantenburg, Karl, Laufeld
Back to the wider travel overview: Manderscheid.
