So far, 77 maars have been identified in the Volcanic Eifel. In addition, 350 eruption centers have been counted, around 270 of them dating from the more recent phase. Ulmen Maar marks the region’s most recent volcanic eruption, which took place around 10,900 years ago. These figures give the landscape a long timescale. Exploring the Volcanic Eifel, you encounter different facets of the same geological history: maars, a crater lake and traces of volcanism.
Maars and volcanic landscapes
Windsborn Crater Lake near Bettenfeld is the only natural crater lake north of the Alps. Gemünden Maar offers a different perspective: its surface area covers around seven hectares, and it is also the smallest of the three famous “eyes of the Eifel.” The comparison brings the differences between the individual bodies of water into focus without reducing the landscape to a single form.
The ruins of Ulmen Castle rise above the steep shore of Ulmen Maar. Parts of the upper castle have survived. Here, a striking volcanic landscape meets architectural traces of history. Strohn Lava Bomb also offers a direct introduction to volcanism: visitors can explore how it formed on site and experience the effects of volcanism in the Eifel. Local access conditions may vary; check them before your visit.
Understanding volcanism in museums
The Eifel Volcano Museum in Daun displays three-dimensional landscape models of cinder cones, maars and mineral springs, as well as exhibits on West Eifel volcanism. The models offer a vivid introduction to landforms that can also be encountered outdoors in the region. A different exhibit takes center stage at the Strohn Volcano House: the interactive museum features a lava fissure wall around 30,000 years old, approximately six meters long and four meters high. Its age and dimensions make the scale of this geological record tangible.
The Natural History Museum in Gerolstein is considered the largest and oldest geo-museum in the Eifel. Across three floors, it displays stone records of the region’s geological history. Together, the museums offer different perspectives: landscape models and exhibits on West Eifel volcanism in Daun, the lava fissure wall in Strohn, and geological history in Gerolstein.
Hiking and cycling
The Volcanic Eifel trails lead to scenic highlights on both sides of the Eifelsteig. They are marked and signposted; the options include half-day hikes, day hikes and multi-day walks. This lets you compare tour types and time frames when planning a hike. One specific option is the 26.2-kilometer Vulcano Trail, a circular route east of Schalkenmehren.
The eleventh stage of the Eifelsteig offers a different kind of route: it runs from Daun to Manderscheid and is 23.4 kilometers long. Both distance and tour type are useful for comparison: here, a circular route is set against a stage with named endpoints. For mountain bikers, the Volcanic Eifel Trail Park has a network of around 750 kilometers of trails with more than 17,500 meters of elevation gain. Its routes and elevation gain give the network a different scale from the hiking tours; check current route conditions before setting out.
Water, castles and more to discover
At GemĂĽnden Maar, fishing and boating are among the watersports available in summer; swimming is permitted at GemĂĽnden Maar natural swimming area. Check local conditions before your trip. At Schalkenmehren Maar, the natural swimming area and boat rental are summer offerings. Check current opening dates before your visit.
The two Manderscheid castles also bring nature and culture together in a special way: the narrow Lieser Valley separates them. The buildings are thus closely connected to the valley between them. Along with maars, museums and different kinds of tours, they offer a varied view of the Volcanic Eifel—from its geological history to the ways you can explore it on foot, by bike or on its waters.
Discover more destinations: Daun, Gerolstein, Hillesheim, Kelberg, Obere Kyll, Bodenbach, Kirsbach, Horperath, Stadtkyll.
Go to the overview of the wider destination: Rhineland-Palatinate.
