Laufeld: Forests, Hiking and Culture

Laufeld lies on the southern edge of the Volcanic Eifel. The village is known for its extensive forests and has marked hiking trails that let visitors explore the landscape. Nature and hiking are therefore clear themes to consider when choosing a destination. This focus is complemented by historic architectural styles, archaeological connections and the Laufeld Doll and Toy Museum. The combination appeals to travelers who want to experience both the landscape and the village’s history during their stay.

Forest and Nature Trail

The Laufeld Nature Trail is a specific example of the area’s focus on nature. The 1.3-kilometer circular trail features information panels about the forest ecosystem. It is considered short and easy, and particularly suitable for families and nature enthusiasts. The nature trail can also be reached via the Maare-Moselle Cycle Route. As temporary detours or closures are possible, check trail conditions before setting out.

Church and Archaeology

The architectural history of St. Willibrord can be seen in specific parts of the building. The west tower dates from around 1500 and was originally a fortified tower with an embrasure window. The nave was built between 1858 and 1862 in neo-Romanesque forms, setting two clearly distinct building phases side by side. St. Willibrord’s Church also houses a statue of the Luxembourg Madonna. Archaeological finds from Laufeld contributed to knowledge of the Urnfield and Hallstatt cultures. In this context, archaeologists refer to the “Laufeld Culture.”

Doll and Toy Museum

The Laufeld Doll and Toy Museum offers a different perspective on everyday history. It displays dolls, dollhouses, toy shops, teddy bears and stuffed animals, as well as tin and wooden toys from the past 100 years. The collection also includes everyday objects and reconstructed domestic settings from the 1950s, around 1900, and an Eifel bedroom. The juxtaposition of individual toys and reconstructed living spaces also brings the domestic context into focus. If you plan to visit the museum, check the current exhibitions beforehand, as the collection display may change.

The Wider Bernkastel-Wittlich Destination

The wider Bernkastel-Wittlich destination brings together the volcanic Eifel, the Moselle Valley and the Hunsrück, with its abundant forests and meadows. Regional activities include swimming, cycling, hiking, water skiing, hang gliding and winter sports. The 816-meter-high Erbeskopf is ideal for hiking and offers a wide range of winter sports. At Erbeskopf, the National Park Gate provides information about nature and the environment; its interactive multimedia exhibition focuses on forests and moors. The Maare-Moselle Cycle Route also runs through the wider Bernkastel-Wittlich destination: 58.5 kilometers follow a disused railway line from Daun to Bernkastel-Kues. The Manderscheid Castle Trail is a moderate circular hike around the castles and offers a longer regional hiking option: it is 5.4 kilometers long, with a stated duration of two hours. Compared with the 1.3-kilometer Laufeld Nature Trail, it offers a different kind of route. The Manderscheid Via Ferrata is also part of the wider Bernkastel-Wittlich destination; three stages lead around the two castles, and the route is about four kilometers long in total, with one kilometer secured by cables.

Discover more destinations: Meerfeld, Pantenburg, Greimerath, Hasborn, Niederscheidweiler, Oberscheidweiler, Großlittgen, Bettenfeld

View the wider travel guide: Manderscheid.