Höfen offers nature experiences with different focuses: wild daffodils in spring and the gradual transformation of planted coniferous forests into near-natural mixed deciduous forests. At the Höfen National Park Gate, these are complemented by an accessible exhibition, a variety of trail options, and information for hiking and cycling tours. This lets you plan your stay around the seasonal landscape, the exhibition, or outdoor activities.
Spring and Forest Change
In spring, wild daffodils can be seen in the valleys of the Perlenbach and Fuhrtsbach near Höfen. The exact flowering time varies, so if seeing the blooms is the main reason for your trip, treat them as a seasonal highlight rather than a fixed date. The forest landscape offers a different perspective: planted coniferous forests are gradually giving way to near-natural mixed deciduous forests. The two nature themes therefore also differ when it comes to planning: the daffodils are tied to spring, while forest change describes the character of the landscape.
Exhibition and Trail Choices at the National Park Gate
The “Daffodil Delight and Forest Change” exhibition at the Höfen National Park Gate and the Höfen Hedgerow Trail are accessible. In the exhibition, stations featuring sound, scents, and touch introduce visitors to National Park topics. Hearing, smelling, and touching thus provide another way to engage with the landscape. If you would like to explore nature themes beyond the trails, the exhibition offers a different format.
The Wilderness Trail and the Höfen Hedgerow Trail start at the National Park Gate; the Eifelsteig passes directly by the building. When choosing a trail, it helps to distinguish between a starting point and a route that passes by: the first two trails start there, while the Eifelsteig goes past the building. The center also offers e-bike rentals, places to rest, and information about local hiking and cycling tours. If you plan to rent a bike, check availability in advance; local information on hiking and cycling can help you choose what to do next.
Cultural Attractions in the Wider Monschau Destination
The wider Monschau destination also offers a focus on urban culture. Options range from exploring the old town independently to learning about architectural history and glassblowing, as well as taking a cycling tour. Route 15 is available for exploring Monschau’s old town on your own. The Red House was built in 1760 by textile manufacturer Johann Heinrich Scheibler as a residence and business premises. Together with the half-timbered façades along the Rur and the castle, it is one of the landmarks of the town of Monschau. At the Monschau Glassworks, visitors can watch glassblowers shape vessels or glass figurines from a glowing mass. The “Monschauer-Land-Route” cycling tour passes through the cloth-making town of Monschau. The historical context differs from that of the glassworks: the Red House has a specific construction date and former function, while the glassworks focuses on shaping glass.
Discover more destinations: Kalterherberg, Mützenich, Konzen, Rohren.
Back to the overview of the wider destination: Monschau.
