Top 10 Places to Visit

Still undecided?

Then let our guests’ top 10 destinations inspire you—the most popular highlights of the Vulkaneifel at a glance. Below, you’ll find an overview of all the destinations.

Discover the highlights of the Vulkaneifel

An old castle by a river, surrounded by green trees. The sky is clear with some clouds. — Copyright: Dominik Ketz

The spa town of Manderscheid is most famous for two medieval castle ruins that stand directly opposite each other on steep mountain spurs not far from the town's alleyways. The massive complexes are separated only by the little Lieser river and a meadow, which in summer becomes a perfect place for a breather while hiking the Eifelsteig trail or for a family picnic with children. On a weekend in August, however, the castles and the meadow are ideal settings for a spectacular festival with quaint crafts, jugglers, jousting tournaments and minstrel singing. In Advent, the Manderscheid Castle Christmas lends the town a special magic. The freely accessible upper castle with its five-storey keep still looks martial today. The lower castle can be explored on guided tours - even at night - or on your own; it only remains closed in bad weather.

A natural landscape with a small stream and a rock wall. In the background, trees and a building are visible. — Copyright: GesundLand Vulkaneifel/M. Rothbrust

Discover a small natural monument of a special kind on the outskirts of Bad Bertrich: the “Elfengrotte”, also called “Käsegrotte”. It originated a thousand years ago, when hot basalt currents flowed through the Üssbach valley and gave the valley a new shape. Located not far from the rushing Elbesbach waterfall, the Elfengrotte has a fairy-tale magic that you should explore.

View of the Weinfelder Maar with yellow gorse in the foreground and blue sky in the background. — Copyright: Rheinland-Pfalz Tourismus GmbH, Dominik Ketz

11.3 km 2:43 h Medium

Circular hiking trail around the Daun maars.

A stone pavilion with a pointed roof stands in a green landscape under a blue sky. — Copyright: GesundLand Vulkaneifel

13.3 km 4:30 h Difficult

Circular hike (approx. 13 km) in the GesundLand Vulkaneifel from/to Bad Bertrich to the Klidinger waterfall. Germany's most beautiful hiking trail 2023

An old church surrounded by green meadows and trees. The sky is blue with some white clouds. — Copyright: GesundLand Vulkaneifel GmbH

Pass through the gateway to the centuries-old Himmerod Abbey and discover a time that seems long forgotten. The thick walls and small monastery farms of the Cistercian Abbey in the Salm Valley give you contemplative moments in the middle of the GesundLand Vulkaneifel.

A picturesque landscape with a lake, surrounded by green meadows and hills. In the background, a small village can be seen. — Copyright: GesundLand Vulkaneifel GmbH/D. Ketz

This viewpoint directly at the Meerfelder Maar is unique.

Two cyclists on a viaduct in the countryside. — Copyright: Eifel Tourismus GmbH, D. Ketz

58.5 km 4:45 h Easy

Daun - Bernkastel-Kues

A charming building with traditional elements and an inviting terrace. The outdoor area is green and invites you to linger. — Copyright: GesundLand Vulkaneifel GmbH

Touch, grasp and understand - this is what distinguishes the interactive museum Vulkanhaus Strohn.

A tunnel with colorful murals. Two people are looking at display boards on the wall. — Copyright: Eifel Tourismus GmbH, AR-shapefruit AG

Underground connection between two Eifel maars: The Ulmen maar-tunnel

A picturesque lake surrounded by lush meadows and trees. The sun rises over the landscape, casting gentle rays on the water. — Copyright: Eifel Tourismus GmbH, D. Ketz

also called Totenmaar [maar of the dead] The Weinfelder Maar is considered the "symbol of the Eifel melancholy". Gentle slopes, on which the Eifel gold - popularly known as "Besenginster"grows and shines in early summer, around the mostly turquoise shimmering water.

All Attractions at a Glance

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A picturesque view of a small village, surrounded by green forests and fields. The tidy streets and buildings give the place a charming character. — Copyright: GesundLand Vulkaneifel/D. Ketz

The Catholic church in Manderscheid could probably tell many stories about the last centuries. It was first mentioned in 1330. It is called the Tree of Life Church because a tree of life in the form of a column grows from the baptismal font in the crypt.

A beautiful pavilion with a red roof, surrounded by green trees. A person is standing in the pavilion and enjoying the view. — Copyright: GesundLand Vulkaneifel GmbH

Hohenzollern Tower Enjoy the beautiful view of Bad Bertrich and the surrounding hills. Accessible via the local circular walk "Kurschattensteig" et "Wasserfall Erlebnisroute".

A tranquil lake surrounded by shoreline vegetation and gentle hills. Two people relax in the sun on a wooden dock. — Copyright: GesundLand Vulkaneifel GmbH /M. Rothbrust

Bathing, fishing and experiencing nature - the Meerfelder Maar lies in the largest volcanic funnel in the Eifel and is a paradise for families with children.

A historic stone tower with a commemorative plaque on the front. The sky is blue with some clouds. — Copyright: Rheinland-Pfalz Tourismus GmbH/ Florian Trykowski

Climb the 11m high "Dronketurm" on the Mäuseberg near the "Weinfeld Maar" and enjoy an incredible panoramic view over the GesundLand Vulkaneifel around Daun.

An elegant building with white walls and large windows. In the foreground, there are two round, green trees. — Copyright: GesundLand Vulkaneifel

Visit the Vulkanmuseum Daun and experience the fascinating history of volcanism!

A stethoscope lies next to a laptop on a table. The stethoscope has a blue tube and a silver headplate.

Specialist in general medicine, as well as spa and bath doctor.

Interior view of the indoor swimming pool featuring a long swimming pool, white tiled walls, and a seating area in the background. — Copyright: Verbandsgemeinde Gerolstein

Swim your laps and relax in the indoor pool in Jünkerath.

A family is smiling as they watch a group of monkeys in a forest setting. The sun is shining through the trees, creating a friendly atmosphere. — Copyright: Eifel Tourismus GmbH, Dominik Ketz

There is a car trail through the park, which is about 8 km long. The animals can move about freely in the large grounds, and thanks to the platforms provided, where there is an opportunity to exit from the car, they are familiar with having contact with visitors.

Rocks of the Gerolsteiner Dolomites surrounded by green forests and meadows under a cloudy sky. — Copyright: Eifel Tourismus GmbH, Dominik Ketz

The rocks “Hustley”, “Munterley”, “Drohende Ley”, “Große Kanzel” and “Auberg” shape the cityscape from afar and form Gerolstein’s landmark. The most famous peak of the Gerolstein Dolomites is the "Munterley" - with an altitude of 482 meters.

In an old oven room, several large furnaces are standing, from which flames are rising. The walls are made of stone, and the atmosphere is warm and smoky.

The Eifel bell foundry is known worldwide for its handcrafted bells.

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Top 10 Places to Visit

Discover the highlights of the Vulkaneifel

Castles of Manderscheid

Elfengrotte (Käsegrotte)

HeimatSpur MaareGlück

HeimatSpur Wasserfall-Erlebnisroute

Himmerod Abbey

Landesblick Meerfelder Maar

Maare-Mosel-Cycletour

Strohn Volcano House

Ulmen maar-tunnel

Weinfelder Maar

All Attractions at a Glance

Lebensbaumkirche Manderscheid

Hohenzollernturm

Meerfeld maar nature pool

Dronketurm

Eifel Volcano Museum

Kurarzt Plamen Shenkov

Schwimmbad/Hallenbad - Jünkerath

Wildlife and adventure park Daun

Gerolsteiner Dolomiten

Eifeler Glockengießerei Brockscheid