Discover Hohenfels-Essingen
Accommodation in Hohenfels-Essingen
Hohenfels-Essingen lies in the volcanic landscape of the Volcanic Eifel. The local hiking trails, basalt quarries on MĂĽhlenberg and historic millstone caves each offer a different perspective on the landscape. The basalt quarries of Hohenfels-Essingen are known for having some of the largest basalt columns in the Volcanic Eifel. This makes it possible to combine walking trails, geological features and the history of millstone quarrying when planning your trip.
Hiking on MĂĽhlenberg
The municipality’s network of hiking trails covers more than 25 kilometres. On Mühlenberg are the Mariengrotte, the millstone caves and the basalt quarries. A hike above the village can connect the viewpoint on Mühlenberg with the grotto, a picnic area and the caves. The Mariengrotte is tucked away in a tall beech forest amid a landscape of caves. It is maintained and used for outdoor devotions.
The Zähbasaltweg offers clear reference points for planning a specific hike: the circular trail is 7.1 kilometres long, takes 2 hours and 25 minutes, and has 206 metres of ascent and descent. From there, you can enjoy sweeping views across the Volcanic Eifel. The trail passes the millstone caves, including Schwedenfeste, Borussiahöhle and St.-Martin-Höhle. You may explore the caves at your own risk; check the conditions before entering. Guided pony rides into the “Realm of Darkness” are offered as a family activity. Check before travelling whether a provider is available.
Basalt and the history of millstones
The historic millstone caves are a visitor attraction in Hohenfels-Essingen. In underground caves cut into volcanic rock, workers hewed millstones out of the rock from above and shaped them to specified sizes. Millstone quarrying in Hohenfels-Essingen dates back to the mid-13th century. Alongside the geological landscape, the caves also make an ancient craft part of a visit.
Basalt also shapes local sights beyond the caves. In the direction of Betteldorf is an abandoned quarry site that is being reclaimed by nature and features typical basalt columns. Together with the basalt quarries on MĂĽhlenberg, it helps illustrate the connection between local quarries and the basalt columns of the Volcanic Eifel.
Getting here and the wider region
Hohenfels-Essingen has road connections near the A1 and A48, with short journeys to Gerolstein and Daun. Bus routes 700, 777 and 515 run from Gerolstein station/bus station to the Hohenfels, Gerolsteiner StraĂźe stop. As bus services and stop arrangements can change over time, check the latest connections before travelling. Free parking is available at the community hall on SchulstraĂźe/Auf Erd and at the forest car park on MĂĽhlenberg. You should also check parking options before setting off.
As a broader travel destination, the Volcanic Eifel offers a wider geological context. So far, 77 maar lakes have been identified there; 350 eruption centres have also been counted, around 270 of them from a more recent phase. Ulmener Maar marks the most recent volcanic eruption in the Volcanic Eifel, approximately 10,900 years ago. These figures refer to the Volcanic Eifel region as a whole.
Discover more destinations: Gees, Berlingen, Densborn, Birresborn, MĂĽrlenbach, Neroth, Oos, Hinterhausen.
See the main travel overview: Gerolstein.
