Ernzen lies on the southern side of the Ferschweiler Plateau. The Felsenweiher on the edge of the village combines a spring landscape with a landscaped site; traces of Roman settlement can also be found along the Messeweg. By choosing the themes of your trip, you can distinguish between natural features, history, geological history and a hiking connection, rather than combining them into a single attraction.
Felsenweiher: Rock, Water and a Landscaped Site
The Felsenweiher lies at the entrance to the Gutenbachtal, on the edge of Ernzen. Fed by a spring, the pond is surrounded by rock faces, niches and caves. Terraces and basins, steps and bridges shape the terrain. Here, natural sandstone formations meet landscaped pathways. As you explore, your attention is drawn not only to the water, but also to the different levels and rock spaces surrounding the pond.
The pond complex dates back to the second half of the 19th century. Pastor Philipp Meyer had natural sandstone grottos and hollows redesigned. Existing rock formations thus became part of a landscaped site. The setting of the Felsenweiher is also used for concerts and other cultural events. If you would like to combine your visit with an event, check the specific dates.
Roman Traces along the Messeweg
There is evidence of a Roman settlement along the Messeweg in Ernzen. This includes the remains of a Roman sanctuary, discovered in 1965. Ernzen thus brings together different historical perspectives: the landscaping of the Felsenweiher in the 19th century and archaeological traces of Roman settlement. If you are interested in local history, you can make these remains a focus of your travel plans.
Geological History at the Dinosaur Park
The Teufelsschlucht Dinosaur Park looks at the history of life on a different scale. More than 180 life-size reconstructions depict mostly extinct species; the period represented spans more than 600 million years. A circular trail just under two kilometres long follows the history of life from the first land animals to modern humans. The trail links the reconstructions into a chronological story rather than presenting each model on its own.
At the PaleoLab, visitors can also learn about current excavations and research projects. Alongside depictions of past life forms, it also explores ongoing research questions. This adds insights into excavations and research to the experience of viewing the reconstructions.
Hiking Connection and Getting There
For hikers, the Teufelsschlucht hiking trail connects via a suspension bridge to the Irreler Wasserfälle and the Prüm rapids. This is a different way to combine the named destinations than the nearly two-kilometre circular trail in the Dinosaur Park: one follows the history of life, while the other links waterfalls, rapids and a suspension bridge.
Plan your journey to Felsenweg 6 separately: there is no direct public transport connection. Drivers can use the Felsenweiher car park on FlurstraĂźe in Ernzen. As traffic conditions can change, check your route before travelling. The Felsenweiher itself is freely accessible at all times.
Discover more destinations: Holsthum, Bollendorf.
Return to the main travel overview: Irrel.
