Discover Gerolstein

Gerolstein combines striking geology with hiking and cycling trails, as well as cultural sites. The places and routes below offer concrete starting points for exploring the area.

Landscapes and viewpoints

The Gerolstein Dolomites Nature Reserve covers about 102 hectares and has been protected since 1990. The Gerolstein Dolomites are considered Germany’s oldest sponge reef and date back to the Middle Devonian. Here, a protected landscape sits alongside a very ancient geological history.

Munterley is a 482-metre-high summit overlooking Gerolstein. On Dietzenley stands a ten-metre-high wooden observation tower; below it are the remains of a Celtic circular wall. There is also a viewpoint with a railing on the Auberg. The viewpoints offer different perspectives: from Munterley, you can see across the town, while at Dietzenley the visible remains of the rampart also bring history into focus.

Hiking trails and cycling routes

The Gerolsteiner Dolomiten Acht is a circular route just under eight kilometres long, with the Gerolsteiner Felsenpfad forming its northern section. The Buchenloch Cave lies in the Gerolstein Dolomites Nature Reserve and can be reached on foot via the Gerolsteiner Felsenpfad and the Eifelsteig. Heiligenstein is a 750-metre-long natural rock monument; you can reach it via the Keltenpfad or the Dolomiten Acht.

The Gerolstein Forest Nature Trail is a family-friendly circular walk through the Gerolstein forest. Information boards explain topics such as trees, forestry, water, ecology and wildlife. The trail thus combines a walk in the forest with several nature-related topics. The route may be especially interesting if you want to learn about the landscape not only from its viewpoints but also through its habitats and how they are used.

There are also two different starting points for cycling. The 123-kilometre Kyll Cycle Path passes through Gerolstein and runs between Losheimergraben and Trier. Gerolstein is also connected to the permanent, signposted and GPS-mapped Vulkaneifel Trailpark. Its mountain-bike network covers 750 kilometres of trails and 17,500 metres of elevation gain. If you are planning a specific ride, check current trail conditions.

Culture and planning your visit

The Gerolstein Church of the Redeemer is a neo-Romanesque central-plan building with gold-glittering mosaics. It is considered a rare art-historical testament to the late German Empire. Visits are possible only as part of a guided tour; check the arrangements in advance. Its architecture and art-historical significance give a visit a different focus from the geological sites and trails.

The Villa Sarabodis displays Roman-Celtic artefacts from the Kyll Valley and connects Gerolstein with the region’s Roman heritage. The Gerolsteiner Erlebniswelt offers a 90-minute journey through the history of Gerolstein and the world of minerals. Advance registration is required for visitor tours. Before travelling, check the current programme and registration requirements so you can plan your visit accordingly.

Gerolstein can be reached by bus and train. It is worth checking the timetables for your travel date in advance. When choosing a hotel in Gerolstein, consider what you would most like to focus on: hiking, exploring cycling routes, or learning about culture and geology. The local sites offer different ways to do this; specific visit requirements, such as guided tours or registration for visitor tours, should be included in your own plans.

Discover more destinations: Rockeskyll, Kopp, Berlingen, Birresborn, Kalenborn-Scheuern, Mürlenbach, Hinterhausen, Hohenfels-Essingen, Salm, Pelm, Neroth, Densborn, Duppach, Gees, Oos, Müllenborn.

Go to the broader travel overview: Vulkaneifel.