Yellow swimming buoys mark off the swimming area in Woffelsbacher Bucht directly in the lake. In Einruhr, water is presented differently: the natural swimming pool uses no chlorine or chemicals at all; the used water is biologically purified in a reed pond.

Swimming in the lake and at the natural swimming pool

The information highlights two specific aspects of swimming: in the bay, buoys mark the swimming area, while the natural swimming pool focuses on biological purification without chlorine or chemicals. Swimming conditions in Woffelsbacher Bucht may vary with water levels; check the current situation before your visit.

Views and trails of varying lengths

The “Wolfshügel” Eifel View is 360 metres above sea level, overlooking Einruhr. From there, the panoramic view extends over the village and the Obersee to the Buhlert forest. The location is also clearly marked for hikers: the Eifelsteig and the local Püngelbach Circular Trail (No. 75) pass directly by it.

The 15.1-kilometre Panorama Trail starts at the village square in Simmerath-Strauch and crosses typical Eifel farmland to the Michelshof wind farm. Along the way, it offers panoramic views of the Eifel landscape, the Rursee and the Kermeter on the opposite shore. The 14.2-kilometre Rursee Heights Trail starts at the Rursee Centre in Simmerath-Rurberg. For cycling, the “Around the Rursee” route is another option: it runs for 26 kilometres around the lake.

By distance, the 14.2- and 15.1-kilometre routes are hiking trails; the 26-kilometre route is for cycling. This makes it easy to narrow down the options first by mode of travel and then by route length.

National Park themes in Rurberg

The Rurberg National Park Gate in Simmerath features the “Lifelines of Nature” exhibition, a digital terrain model of the national park and national park films. It is also the starting point for free guided tours into the Kermeter forests. Dates may change; check the current tour schedule before your visit. The exhibition and guided tours offer different ways to explore the national park.

Rest stop, information and Eifel history

The hiking rest station at the Heilsteinhaus in Einruhr is a place to take a break: hikers can relax and have a picnic there after hiking or cycling. The Einruhr National Park Information Point is at the same location and provides information about activities in the Eifel National Park Adventure Region.

The Lammersdorf Farm Museum focuses on life in the Eifel around the turn of the century. Guided tours and workshops can be booked; one example is the “From Grain to Bread” workshop. If you include this activity in your plans, confirm its availability for your dates before travelling.

The wider region: Aachen City Region

The wider travel destination of Aachen City Region brings together diverse natural landscapes, historic town centres and an extensive cycling and hiking network. This provides the regional context for the specific experiences at the places mentioned in Simmerath.

Discover more destinations: Einruhr, Steckenborn, Kesternich, Woffelsbach, Dedenborn, Stolberg, Rurberg, Eschweiler.

Back to the regional travel overview: Aachen.