Volcanic Eifel: maars, crater lakes and volcanic trails
Accommodation in Volcanic Eifel
The Volcanic Eifel combines a distinctive volcanic landscape with hiking trails and museums that bring its origins to life. Maars, a natural crater lake and well-preserved castles offer different perspectives on a stay; there are also specific routes and trail networks for hiking and mountain biking.
Maars and traces of volcanism
A total of 77 maars have been identified in the Volcanic Eifel so far. In addition, 350 eruption centers have been counted, around 270 of them from the more recent period. Ulmen Maar marks the most recent volcanic eruption in the Volcanic Eifel, which took place around 10,900 years ago. These figures and places illustrate different aspects of the volcanic landscape—from its geological history to the maars visible today.
Windsborn Crater Lake near Bettenfeld is the only natural crater lake north of the Alps. Gemündener Maar has a water surface of around seven hectares and is the smallest of the three famous “Eyes of the Eifel.” These two very different bodies of water each add their own character to the landscape: the crater lake near Bettenfeld and the maar with its comparatively small water surface.
Hiking and mountain biking
The Volcanic Eifel trails lead to scenic highlights on either side of the Eifelsteig. They are marked and signposted, and the options range from half-day and full-day tours to multi-day hikes. You can therefore choose the scope of your hiking plans to suit the time available, without having to fit every tour into the same time frame.
The Vulcano Trail is a 26.2-kilometer circular route east of Schalkenmehren. The eleventh stage of the Eifelsteig offers a different type of route: it runs from Daun to Manderscheid and is 23.4 kilometers long. These details make clear the difference between a loop and a stage with two named endpoints. Check the current route and conditions before setting out on a specific hike.
Mountain bikers can explore the Trailpark Vulkaneifel, which has a network of around 750 kilometers of trails and more than 17,500 meters of elevation gain. These figures give an idea of the extensive range of routes and elevation changes on offer. As route conditions can change, it is worth checking the latest information before your ride.
Discover museums and castles
The Eifel Volcano Museum in Daun displays three-dimensional landscape models of cinder cones, maars and mineral springs, along with exhibits on volcanism in the western Eifel. The interactive Volcano House in Strohn features a lava fissure wall around 30,000 years old, approximately six meters long and four meters high. The two museums explore volcanism in different ways: through landscape models and exhibits in Daun, and through a striking geological feature in Strohn.
The Gerolstein Natural History Museum is considered the Eifel’s largest and oldest geomuseum. Across three floors, it displays stone evidence from the region’s geological history. Those interested in geological collections will find another specific museum destination in the Volcanic Eifel, alongside Daun and Strohn.
The castles also bring history and landscape together. Ulmen Castle Ruins rise above the steep shore of Ulmen Maar, with parts of the upper castle still preserved. In Manderscheid, the narrow Lieser Valley separates the two castles. Here, the interplay of nature and culture is immediately apparent in the buildings’ locations. At the Strohn Lava Bomb, visitors can explore how it formed and experience the effects of volcanism firsthand. Local access conditions may vary; check them before your visit.
Plan seasonal activities
At GemĂĽndener Maar, fishing and boating are among the summer water sports options; swimming is permitted at the GemĂĽndener Maar natural outdoor swimming area. At Schalkenmehrener Maar, the summer options include a natural outdoor swimming area and boat rental. Check current local conditions and opening hours before making plans, so you can factor seasonal activities into your itinerary.
If you’re looking for a hotel in the Volcanic Eifel, it’s best to start by choosing a location based on the experiences you want to shape your stay. Daun, Strohn and Gerolstein are specific destinations for museum visits; Schalkenmehren, Daun and Manderscheid are among the places to consider for hiking. This lets you focus your search on the activities you have planned.
Discover more destinations: Kelberg, Hillesheim, Gerolstein, Daun, Bodenbach, Obere Kyll, Kirsbach, Horperath, Stadtkyll.
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