Freilinger See is a reservoir built in 1976 and fed by fresh spring water via the Weilerbach stream. Its water surface covers around 11 hectares, and it is up to 10 metres deep. When looking for a holiday apartment in Freilingen, it is worth deciding in advance whether swimming, diving or hiking will be the focus of your stay.

Swimming, diving and hiking

Almost the entire Freilinger See is a designated bathing area. Swimming is permitted there at your own risk; there is no regular lifeguard supervision. Diving is also an option: the lake is a diving site, and you can purchase a day permit from the Blankenheim municipal tourist information office.

Various route details are available to help you plan your hikes. The EifelSchleife Freilinger See is an easy, 9.6-kilometre hike across expansive meadows with magnificent views. Check trail conditions and signage before setting out. Another route is the 11.1-kilometre AhrSteig stage from Blankenheim to Freilinger See. The EifelSchleife is explicitly rated as easy; the AhrSteig information describes a stage and its length.

The Freilingen forest nature trail can be reached from the sports ground. Follow the path for about 200 metres in the direction of Feriendorf Freilingen, then turn left into the forest. Parking is available at the Freilingen sports ground or at Freilinger See. The directions and parking options provided will help you choose a starting point for this walk.

The pilgrimage tradition offers a different perspective: people from the surrounding villages have been making pilgrimages to Freilingen since 1933. So, alongside activities at the lake and on the hiking trails, religious traditions are also part of the picture.

Blankenheim: History, Trails and Carnival

In Blankenheim, attractions include the Grafenburg castle, the Eifel Museum, and the Hirten and Georg gates. The Grafenburg was originally built around 1115 as a hilltop castle. Over time, it was transformed from a medieval defensive complex into a Baroque palace. These historical attractions differ from planning activities around Freilinger See: here, the focus is on the castle’s development and points of interest, while there it includes swimming, diving and hiking.

Blankenheim also has its own starting points for routes. The Ahr Cycle Path begins at the Ahr spring in Blankenheim, where the Ahr-Steig hiking trail also starts. Stage 7 of the Eifelsteig passes the spring. The Ahr Cycle Path is continuously rideable between Blankenheim and Ahrbrück, with minor restrictions. Check its condition before your ride. The RadBus 899 “Oberes Ahrtal” also runs between Blankenheim and Ahrbrück; check the timetable before travelling.

A seasonal event in Blankenheim is the Ghost Parade: it takes place every year on Carnival Saturday and starts at 7:11 p.m. at the pharmacy on Ahrstraße. Anyone can join in as a “ghost”; you will need a white bedsheet and a pitch torch. Check the exact date and event details before travelling.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Ripsdorf, Lommersdorf, Ahrdorf, Dollendorf, Reetz.

Back to the main travel overview: Blankenheim.