Immerath: Maar, Hiking Trail and Village History

Immerath by the Maar

Immerath is part of the “Around the Pulvermaar” holiday region. The local natural landscape is shaped by Immerather Maar: the maar lake has no inflow, and its water is replenished by precipitation, surface water and groundwater. The 66-hectare area comprises shoreline, fen and meadow habitats that provide refuges for plants and animals. Rare birds, frogs, dragonflies and butterflies live in this environment. The maar formed approximately 40,000 to 70,000 years ago.

Hiking Trails and Nature Experiences

The Wendelinus hiking trail loops around Immerath for about 12 kilometres and offers several viewpoints. It follows historic mill paths through Eifel forests and reaches sections along the Üßbach. At around 12 kilometres, the route’s length can help you fit it into your daily plans; current trail conditions may change, so it is worth checking local notices before setting out. With 15 sensory stations in and around Immerath, the Trail of the Senses offers a different focus from the hiking route. Immerather Maar is also Stop 21 on the German Volcano Route.

Landmarks and Village History

The Holy Trinity Chapel is Immerath’s landmark and offers a view over the village in the maar basin. The former school and bakehouse has two working ovens and also houses a school museum. The school museum is located in a historic half-timbered building dating from around 1770, which served as a school until 1910. During processions, music accompanies the village community along the stone Stations of the Cross to the Holy Trinity Chapel. For specific dates, it is advisable to check local notices.

Visitor Information

Immerath has no through traffic, which contributes to the village’s peaceful atmosphere. Near Immerather Maar, a nearby shelter offers protection in bad weather. Fishing is permitted at Immerather Maar with a fishing licence. Swimming and other water sports are prohibited in the nature reserve around the maar. As permit procedures and contacts may change, it is worth checking local notices before your visit.

The Volcanic Eifel as a Regional Setting

As a broader travel destination, the Volcanic Eifel offers a wider geological context. To date, 77 maars have been identified there; a total of 350 eruption centres have also been counted, around 270 of them from the more recent phase. These figures apply to the Volcanic Eifel as a whole, not just Immerath. The most recent volcanic eruption in the Volcanic Eifel occurred around 10,900 years ago at Ulmener Maar.

The Volcanic Eifel Trails are another option for hiking in the region: they lead to scenic highlights on either side of the Eifelsteig, are marked and signposted, and include half-day hikes, day hikes and multi-day hikes. A longer circular route option is the 26.2-kilometre Vulcano Trail east of Schalkenmehren, an alternative to the approximately 12-kilometre Wendelinus loop around Immerath. The eleventh stage of the Eifelsteig runs from Daun to Manderscheid and is 23.4 kilometres long.

The interactive Strohn Volcano House features a lava fissure wall around 30,000 years old, approximately six metres long and four metres high.

Discover more destinations: Mückeln, Bleckhausen, Winkel, Strotzbüsch, Schalkenmehren, Üdersdorf, Betteldorf, Dreis-Brück.

Go to the broader travel overview: Daun.