At a glance - Nationalpark Eifel

Where to Find More Information?
National Park Gates are located at Simmerath-Rurberg, Schleiden-
Gemünd, Monschau-Höfen, Heimbach, and Nideggen. These Gates
provide tourist information especially designed for visitors to the
National Park, and also host various exhibits: The Rurberg exhibit,
entitled ‘Lebensadern der Natur’ (Lifelines of nature), focuses on
bodies of water in the Eifel region. The exhibit at the Gemünd Gate
highlights gnarled oaks, colourful woodpeckers and forest tales. An
exhibit at the Heimbach railway station provides information about the
natural beech forests and wildcats. Here, texts are also presented in
German Braille and in high-contrast type, for blind and visually
impaired visitors. The exhibit at the Höfen Gate discusses the topics
of changing forests, daffodils and wild animals in English, German,
Dutch and French. At the Nideggen Gate, natural treasures are
exhibited, revealing the inventiveness of nature. A floor guidance
system, audio equipment that can be borrowed, and videos translated
into sign language make the exhibits at the Höfen and Nideggen
Gates especially suitable for people with disabilities.
All of the exhibits at the National Park Gates are wheelchair
accessible, free of charge and open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fully
accessible bathroom facilities are available everywhere. Located at the
edge of the protected area, these buildings are ideal starting points
for tours of the National Park.
A movie about the National Park is shown not only at the Gates but
also at National Park information points in the region (see map). In
addition, leaflets and brochures concerning the National Park are
available at all of these facilities as well as at tourist information
centres in the associated municipalities.
Additional information is available on the website:
www.nationalpark-eifel.de
13 14
Legend
National Park
National Park Gate
(information centres with
various exhibitions on the
National Park)
N
National Park Information Point
(with tourist information and films)
Tourist Information Center
Starting points of the hikes with park rangers
Hikes guided by rangers are these are free of charge and there is no need to
sign up i sign up in advance
- Landing stage in Schwammenauel, on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month
from April to the end of October, at 2 p.m. from May to August, and at 3 p.m.
in April, September and October (2 to 3 hours),
- Wahlerscheid car park, every Tuesday at 2 p.m.
- Mariawald Abbey, every Wednesday at 2 p.m.
- Erkensruhr children’s playground, every Friday at 11 a.m.
- National Park Gate in Heimbach, every Friday from 11.15 a.m.
- National Park Gate in Gemünd, every Saturday at 10.30 a.m.
- National Park Gate in Rurberg, every Saturday at 11 a.m.
- Kermeter car park (former “Paulushof”), every Sunday at 1 p.m.
- Adlerhof at the Forum Vogelsang, every Sunday at 1 p.m., in July and August
also available in Dutch and French (approx. 3 hours).
More information is available from the National Park Forestry Office:
tel.: +49 (0)2444. 9510-0, fax -85
email: info@nationalpark-eifel.de, www.nationalpark-eifel.de
Marked circuits “theme tours”
Five different hiking circuits are signposted in the National Park. The hikes are
described in detail in the theme-tours book on hiking in the Eifel National Park,
"Wanderungen im Nationalpark Eifel" (German only). ISBN 978-3-7616-2068-7.
Facilities to experience and study nature of the
“Landesbetrieb Wald und Holz”
- WWD Wilderness Workshop in Heimbach-Düttling
- Forest Guest House for Young People, in Kall-Urft and Raffelsbrand
- Forest Education Center Eifel in the Open-Air Museum Kommern,
Mechernich-Kommern
Natural history and cultural facilities
- “Seebend” House of Nature and Museum of Weaving, Monschau-Höfen
- Rur and Rock Exhibition, Nideggen-Brück
- Nature and Wood Centre, exhibition on the German-Belgian Hohes Venn-Eifel
Nature Park, Nettersheim
- Open-Air Museum Kommern, Mechernich-Kommern
- Farming museum, Lammersdorf
- WIZE Water Information Center Eifel, Heimbach
- Todtenbruch soil nature trail, Raffelsbrand
- Raffelsbrand high-wire adventure route, Raffelsbrand
- Forum Vogelsang, Gemünd
- Schleiden Castle Church, Schleiden
- Steinfeld Monastery, Steinfeld
- Mariawald Abbey, Heimbach
- Game enclosure, Hellenthal
- Game park, Schmidt
Other websites of interest to tourists:
- www.eifel-expeditionen.eu
information about nature study facilities in the region
- www.eifel.info
Eifel Tourismus GmbH (Eifel tourism), tel.: +49(0)6551-9656-0; fax: -96
- www.nordeifel-tourismus.de
Nordeifel Tourismus GmbH (North Eifel tourism),
tel.: +49(0)2441-99457-0; fax: -29
- www.eifel-tipp.de
Monschauer Land-Touristik e.V. (Monschau region tourism),
tel.: tel.: +49(0)2473-9377-0; fax: -20
- www.rureifel-tourismus.de
Rureifel Tourismus e.V. (Rur Eifel tourism),
tel.: +49(0)2446-80579-0; fax: -30
- www.vogelsang-ip.de
Vogelsang ip, tel.: +49(0)2444-91579-0; fax: -29
Maps and books, available at the National Park Gates and information
points as well as the booktrade:
- Trail map, scale: 1:25,000, Eifelverein, ISBN 978-3-921805-78-7,
10,00 Euro
- Hiking and cycling guide book, ISBN 978-3-7616-2068-7, -2010-6,
-2154-7 and -2179-0, each 12,95 Euro, ISBN 978-3-7616-2300-8,
-2301-5 and -2302-2, each 6,00 Euro
Eifel National Park by Bus and Train
Visit the Eifel National Park without stress: Leave your car at home
and travel with the environmentally friendly bus or train. When
travelling from Cologne/Bonn or Trier via the German Railways (DB,
Deutsche Bahn), you will arrive at the Kall railway station (Kall Bf).
From there the National Park shuttle (SB82), operating daily, brings
you to Schleiden-Gemünd or Vogelsang. If you are coming from
Düren, the Rur valley railway (Rurtalbahn), which connects with
German Railways trains from Cologne and Aachen, will bring you to
Heimbach. The National Park buses Wald (Wood, 815), Wasser (Water,
231) and Wildnis (Wilderness, 63) operate particularly on weekends
and public holidays. During the summer, on Sundays there is also a
bus for cyclists coming from Aachen.
The ‘Natur erfahren’ (Experience nature) timetable, for all buses and
trains in the Eifel National Park region, is published at the beginning of
each season. Access to timetables and contact persons is provided on
the Internet at: www.nationalpark-eifel.de
A special telephone number provides information concerning buses
and trains: +49(0)1803-504030 (9 euro cents per minute via German
Telekom landlines; mobile rates may vary).
Rursee-Schifffahrt, Schwammenauel boat landing stage
Information may be obtained via tel.: +49 (0) 2446. 479;
website: www.rursee-schifffahrt.de
Stops of the horse-drawn carriages
The 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month from April to the end of October,
starting from the Adlerhof at the Forum Vogelsang at 11.30 a.m. and 2.15 p.m.
(also at 5 p.m., for 8 or more passengers). Stops: Adlerhof at the Forum
Vogelsang, Walberhof and Wollseifen.
“Eifel views”
Information on the website: www.eifel-blicke.de
Bus line
Rail traffic
Transit Only for Public Service Vehicles
“Creation Path - in pursuit of life”
Imprint
Editor
Landesbetrieb Wald und Holz NRW
Nationalparkforstamt Eifel
Urftseestraße 34
53937 Schleiden-Gemünd
Phone +49 (0) 2444. 9510-0
Fax +49 (0) 2444. 9510-85
Email info@nationalpark-eifel.de
www.nationalpark-eifel.de
V.i.S.d.P. (Person Responsible According to the German Press Law)
Michael Lammertz
Head of Department for Communication and Experiencing Nature
Editor Alexandra Schnurr, Anja Olligschläger
Picture credits Wildcat (cover) H. Grabe; Voluntary forest guide with children E. John;
Ranger with visitors and daffodils under alders A. Simantke;
Lake Rur in wintertime S. Wilden; Wall Lizard S. Morsch;
Children in an exhibition and Natural wood (back) T. Geschwind
Layout Tanja Geschwind – Visual Communication
Map Landesvermessungsamt Nordrhein-Westfalen, Bonn 2004
Cartography N. Kolster
Translation Übersetzungsbüro Elisabeth John
Production dp Druckpartner Moser, Rheinbach
Status February 2011

various starting points – booking via the
Eifel National Park Forestry Office,
tel.: +49(0)2444-9510-15; fax: -85;
e-mail: kinder@nationalpark-eifel.de
Heimbach-Düttling Wilderness Outdoor
Workshop (Wildniswerkstatt Düttling, WWD)
– registration forms are available at:
www.nationalpark-eifel.de or by post from
the Eifel National Park Forestry Office
Forum Vogelsang – registration not required
starting point by arrangement – booking via
Vogelsang ip, tel.: +49(0)2444-91579-12,
fax: +49(0)2444-91579-29;
e-mail: buchung@vogelsang-ip.de
Information may be obtained via
tel.: +49(0)2444-915790;
e-mail: info@vogelsang-ip.de;
website: www.vogelsang-ip.de
during the North Rhine-Westphalia school
holidays, also held at 2 p.m., Monday to Friday
(approx. 2.5 hours). Starting points vary
on Sundays (see activities programme).
Mondays: National Park Gate in Nideggen
(tel.: +49(0)2427-3301-150;
fax: +49(0)2427-3301-295)
Tuesdays: National Park information point in
Simmerath-Einruhr (tel.: +49(0)2485-317;
fax: +49(0)2485-319)
Wednesdays: National Park Gate in Heimbach
(tel.: +49(0)2446-80579-14;
fax: +49(0)2446-80579-16)
Thursdays: National Park Gate in Monschau-
Höfen (tel.: +49(0)2472-80257-79;
fax: +49(0)2472-80257-78)
Fridays: National Park Gate in Schleiden-
Gemünd (tel.: +49(0)2444-2011;
fax: +49(0)2444-1641)
starting points at the National Park Gates –
booking via the National Park Forestry
Office, tel.: +49(0)2444-9510-15;
fax: +49(0)2444-9510-85;
e-mail: kinder@nationalpark-eifel.de
starting points at the National Park Gates –
booking via the National Park Forestry
Office, tel.: +49(0)2444-9510-15; fax: -85;
e-mail: kinder@nationalpark-eifel.de
Rursee-Schifffahrt, Schwammenauel boat
landing stage – please register groups at the
Rursee-Schifffahrt, tel.: +49(0)2446-479;
fax: +49(0)2446-1267; e-mail: info@rurseeschifffahrt.de.
stops: Adlerhof at the Forum Vogelsang,
Walberhof and Wollseifen – registration not
required. Information can be obtained from
the Steffens stable (tel.: +49(0)177-4478041;
fax: +49(0)2473-9272494;
e-mail: steffens.2000@t-online.de) or the
Lindenhof stable (tel.: +49(0)175-1679777;
fax: +49(0)2486-911799;
e-mail: info@reitanlagelindenhof.de)
Forum Vogelsang – registration not required
Where?/ Registration
At a glance
held during the summer holidays
throughout the year, upon request
throughout the year, upon request
throughout the year, upon request
held on the 1st Sunday of each month at
11 a.m. (approx. 2.5 hours)
seasonal (approx. 30 minutes)
throughout the year, upon request
daily at 2 p.m.; on Sundays and public holidays
also at 11 a.m. (approx. 1.5 hours)
beginning on Easter Sunday, the 1st and 3rd
Sunday of each month from April to the end
of October, starting from the Adlerhof at the
Forum Vogelsang at 11.30 a.m. and 2.15 p.m.
(also at 5 p.m., for 8 or more passengers)
on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month
from April to the end of October, at 2 p.m.
from May to August, and at 3 p.m. in April,
September and October (2 to 3 hours)
When?
Wilderness camps holiday recreation camps for children and youth aged 7 to 16
Day programmes one-day projects on various topics in the National Park wilderness –
free of charge
Holiday camps & programmes for school classes and groups of children and youth
for participants with or without disabilities
National Park taster tours half-day tours for different age groups – free of charge
Individual family tours with forest guides Compensation due for expenses: EUR 15.00
per hour and group, plus one hour preparation time (for a maximum of 25 people per
group)
Nature experience for children and parents
also suitable for blind or visually impaired visitors with an accompanying person
Family days-out with various themes, free of charge. Please register at the respective
venues.
Guides Tours at Vogelsang
Historical tours of the area Cost: EUR 5.00 per person; children free of charge
(up to age 12)
Climbing the tower Cost: EUR 3.00 per person
Tours for Groups special tours of the Vogelsang ip, upon request in English, French or
Dutch. Programmes for school classes on special topics are also possible. Cost: EUR 80
per group
Tours in horse-drawn carriages in wheelchair accessible carriages provided by the
Lindenhof and Steffens stables. Adults: EUR 5.00 (one way) or EUR 9.00 (return);
children: half price up to the age of 18; families: EUR 25.00
Ranger boat tour on the Rur lake, especially suitable for visitors with limited mobility –
there is a charge for the boat tour
Dear Visitors,
Giant beeches, gnarled oaks, bizarre rock formations, wild streams
and expanses of open grassland await you at the Eifel National Park.
We are pleased to welcome you to this unique landscape.
The first National Park in North Rhine-Westphalia was established
with the motto ‘Woods, water, wilderness’. Here, for the first time,
mixed deciduous forests growing on nutrient-poor soils and
influenced by an Atlantic climate are protected on a large scale.
Natural forests are thus being allowed to re-emerge in the centre of
the European beech distribution range. Since 2004, the Eifel National
Park has filled the western gap in the Germany-wide National Park
network. It is located only one hour from Cologne, and comprises an
area of 110 square kilometres.
In this brochure, we would like to give you an overview of the Eifel
National Park, and to provide you with information about guided
hikes, family events, marked routes, visitor centres, etc. We would also
like to remind you to stay on the official trails and to abide by the
rules of the National Park. Please keep in mind that any disturbance
can result in wildlife leaving their hiding places only at night. Whether
or not animals such as red deer will allow themselves to be seen by
visitors in future depends upon their being able to count on human
beings as reliable, considerate visitors to their home.
We wish you unforgettable impressions, and a memorable and
relaxing visit to the Eifel National Park.
Your Eifel National Park Forestry Office
For additional information, please see the website:
www.nationalpark-eifel.de
2
What?
starting from the Kermeter car park
(formerly Paulushof) on the L15 (Kermeterhochstraße)
between Heimbach-
Schwammenauel and Gemünd/Wolfgarten
starting from the Adlerhof at the Forum
Vogelsang
various starting points – registration not
required. Information is available from the
National Park Forestry Office
various starting points – registration not
required. Information is available from the
LVR-Gehörlosenheim Euskirchen,
tel.: +49(0)2251-650703-38; fax: -39;
e-mail: v.weichs@lvr.de
Adlerhof at the Forum Vogelsang – registration
not required. Information is available
from the National Park Forestry Office.
National Park Gate at the Heimbach railway
station – registration not required. Information
is available from the tourist office of the
city of Heimbach, tel.: +49(0)2446-8057914;
fax: -16; e-mail: heimbach@rureifel-tourismus.de
Burgschenke car park in Schleiden-Dreiborn –
registration not required. Information is available
from the National Park Forestry Office.
National Park Gate at the Heimbach railway
station – registration not required. Information
is available from the Rur Eifel tourism
association, tel.: +49(0)2446-80579-0;
fax: -30; e-mail: info@rureifel-tourismus.de
National Park Gate in Nideggen – registration
not required. Information is available
from the Rur Eifel tourism association,
tel.: +49(0)2446-80579-0; fax: -30;
e-mail: info@rureifel-tourismus.de
National Park information point in Nideggen-
Schmidt – registration not required. Information
is available from the Rur Eifel tourism
association, tel.: +49(0)2446-80579-0;
fax: -30; e-mail: info@rureifel-tourismus.de
starting from the playground in Erkensruhr
starting from the National Park Gate at the
Heimbach railway station
starting from the National Park Gate in
Gemünd
starting from the National Park Gate in
Rurberg
starting from the Mariawald Abbey car park
starting from the Wahlerscheid car park on
the B258 between Schleiden and Monschau
What is the purpose of a National Park?
Over the past 1,500 years, the natural world has been impacted and
shaped by human civilisation in accordance with perceived economic
benefits. Today beech forests comprise only around 15 percent of the
entire wooded area of Germany, although they would naturally
predominate almost everywhere in Central Europe. In keeping with
the motto ‘Let nature be nature’, National Parks protect natural
processes over wide areas. This enables visitors to experience how
nature develops in the absence of direct human impact.
While, on average, trees in commercially utilised forests reach only
one-third of their natural lifespan, trees in National Parks may live
hundreds of years before dying of natural causes. Many endangered
plant and animal species rely on old and fallen trees. For example,
rotting tree trunks and branches provide places in which to nest or to
store food.
For this reason, National Parks should be in a near-natural state or, in
the case of Developing National Parks (Entwicklungs-Nationalparke),
should be able to develop to such a state. This means that after 30
years at the latest, at least 75 percent of the area has to be left
undisturbed by human beings.
This also applies to the Eifel National Park. Non-indigenous tree
species such as spruce and Douglas fir still cover parts of the Park.
However, in twenty-five years at the latest, human beings will no
longer utilise three-quarters of the area. The beech will then regain its
natural dominance. In a cycle of growth and decay, a wilderness will
develop in the Eifel National Park, which is already fascinating in its
diversity and exceptional scenery.
3
various starting points; see map in this
brochure – registration not required.
Information is available from the National
Park Forestry Office.
starting point by agreement – booking via
the National Park Forestry Office,
tel.: +49(0)2444-9510-71;
fax: +49(0)2444-9510-85;
e-mail: gruppen@nationalpark-eifel.de
Where?/ Registration
takes place several times a year; please see
activities programme
takes place several times a year; please see
activities programme
takes place several times a year; please see
activities programme
takes place several times a year; please see
activities programme
on Sundays and public holidays, from the
beginning of April to the end of October,
beginning at 11.15 a.m. (approx. 3.5 hours)
every Sunday in July and August, at 1 p.m.
(approx. 3 hours)
held every Sunday at 1 p.m.
(approx. 3 hours)
held on the 4th Saturday of each month, at
different times of day; please see activities
programme
takes place several times a year; please see
activities programme
held every Sunday at 1 p.m.
(approx. 3 hours)
held every Tuesday at 2 p.m. (approx. 3 hours).
There is a ranger shuttle (leaving at 1.30 p.m.)
from the National Park Gate in Höfen
held every Wednesday at 2 p.m.
(approx. 3 hours)
held every Friday at 11 a.m. (3 to 4 hours)
held every Friday at 11.15 a.m.
(approx. 5 hours)
held every Saturday at 10.30 a.m.
(approx. 3 hours)
held every Saturday at 11 a.m.
(3 to 4 hours)
throughout the year, upon request
throughout the year, upon request
When?
National Park rendezvous in Schmidt hike with forest guides through the Hetzingen
woods, free of charge, also suitable for children’s pushchairs
National Park rendezvous in Nideggen hike with forest guides to scenic viewing points,
free of charge, not suitable for children’s pushchairs
National Park rendezvous in Heimbach-Zerkall hike with forest guides on the fourth
section of the Wilderness Trail, free of charge, for fit hikers. Public transport (for which
there is a charge) connects back to the starting point.
National Park rendezvous in Dreiborn hikes with a forest guide on various routes, free
of charge, also suitable for children. Please bring binoculars, if available.
Multilingual Tour 6.5 km hike on the Vogelsang-Wollseifen route, with forest guides, in
Dutch and French, also suitable for senior citizens, children and children’s cross-country
pushchairs – free of charge
National Park rendezvous in Heimbach hikes with forest guides through the National
Park, free of charge. Routes of varying lengths, with gradients. Also suitable for children,
but not for children’s pushchairs.
Hikes with guides using sign language on different routes of varying difficulty, assisted
by the institute for the deaf Gehörlosenheim Euskirchen of the Rhineland Regional Council
(LVR), also suitable for senior citizens and children – free of charge
Rurberg ranger rendezvous also suitable for children but not for children’s pushchairs.
From April to the end of October it is possible to return by boat via the Rursee-Schifffahrt,
for which there is a charge.
Hirschley route in the Wild Kermeter area for experiencing nature an easy hike, 5 km
long, through the fully accessible Wild Kermeter area for experiencing nature. It is also suitable
for visitors in wheelchairs and those with limited mobility, as well as senior citizens,
children and children’s pushchairs.
Vogelsang Wollseifen Route hike with rangers, 6.5 km with gradients, also suitable for
senior citizens, children and children’s cross-country pushchairs.
Special ranger theme tours various topics and degrees of difficulty – free of charge
Gemünd ranger rendezvous not suitable for very young children or children’s pushchairs.
Mariawald Abbey ranger rendezvous also suitable for children and children’s crosscountry
pushchairs.
Erkensruhr ranger rendezvous also suitable for children and cross-country buggies.
Monastery Route ranger tour for experienced hikers, 9 km in length.
Customised guided tours for groups
Tours with forest guides customised hikes for guests with or without disabilities, accompanied
by volunteer forest guides of the National Park. A guide can also accompany you
on a carriage ride, boat tour, or hike on the Wilderness Trail. Guided tours are available in
English, German, French, Dutch and Spanish, for instance, as well as German and Dutch
sign language. Compensation due for expenses: EUR 15.00 per hour and group (for a
maximum of 20 people per group).
Open guided hikes and tours in German
Ranger tours and rendezvous hikes guided by rangers on specified routes through
Germany’s future ‘jungle’, also suitable for blind and visually impaired guests with an
accompanying person; those who are hard of hearing can register in advance for a mobile
amplifier at the National Park Forestry Office – free of charge.
Wahlerscheid ranger rendezvous also suitable for senior citizens, children and children’s
cross-country pushchairs.
What?
Special features of the Eifel National Park
The Rur and the Urft are the two rivers that shape the landscape of
the Eifel National Park in the Northern Eifel (Nördliche Eifel) natural
region. The rivers that carve the plateau not only supply the
well-known water reservoirs of the region, but are also associated
with ravine and alluvial forests that are particularly deserving of
protection. Above all, however, the National Park protects the
near-natural mixed beech and oak forests. The Kermeter area,
extending over 30 square kilometres, has the largest continuous
beech forests in the Eifel-Ardennes region.
Forests would also characterise the 33 square kilometres of the
Dreiborn Plateau in the centre of the National Park if human beings
had not repeatedly intervened, ending by using it as the Vogelsang
military training area. However, since open grassland is also a rare
habitat, parts of the grassland will be preserved. This results in great
diversity for visitors: Dense forests and wild streams alternate with
impressive expanses, fantastic views from forested ridges, river bends
and lakes.
More than 1,000 endangered plant and animal species are
represented in the Eifel National Park, showing the importance of
protecting the area. One example is the wild daffodil or Lent lily,
which occurs in larger numbers here than anywhere else in Germany.
In the spring the valley meadows in the Wahlerscheid district are
transformed into a sea of yellow blossoms. Green hound’s tongue,
St Bernhard’s lily, bog bean and perennial honesty are other valuable
flowers protected by the Park.
4 5
National Park hosts
For food, drink and overnight accommodation, we
recommend our certified National Park hosts, some
of whom have approved fully accessible facilities.
Restaurants, hotels, guest houses, vacation rentals,
and caravan and camping sites receive the coveted
certification by meeting quality and environmental criteria and by
participating in special training. These hosts can be recognised by the
logo ‘Gastgeber Nationalpark Eifel’ (Eifel National Park host).
info@nationalpark-gastgeber.eu, www.nationalpark-gastgeber.eu
Additional fully accessible facilities in the region are described on the
website www.eifel-barrierefrei.de of the German-Belgian Nature Park
(available in German only).
The National Park
for everyone
In order to make nature in the National Park an experience that can be
shared by everyone, the Eifel National Park Administration endeavours
to design as many facilities as possible so that they are fully accessible.
Tours offered in sign language and with mobile hearing aids, facilities
for experiencing nature for blind and visually impaired persons, and
handicapped accessible National Park exhibits are just the beginning.
By the spring of 2011, the fully accessible Wild Kermeter area will be
created in the heart of the National Park forests. It will be comprised
of a network of 4.7 kilometres of paths for hikers with and without
handicaps. The highlight is the Hirschley lookout point, with a
panoramic view of the Rursee reservoir and a bronze relief model,
accessible to touch, which provides information about the landscape
of the National Park and the reservoir dams.
www.nationalpark-eifel.de/barrierefrei
The rare wildcat, almost exterminated during the 19th century, likewise
benefits from the National Park. It makes use of the continuous
forests for rearing its young. In total, approximately 1,000 wildcats live
in the Eifel-Ardennes region – the largest population nationwide.
Beavers have returned to the streams of the National Park, and the
wall lizard, rare in northern Germany, darts about on sunny rocks. The
National Park also provides a habitat for the Eurasian eagle owl, the
European honey buzzard, the common kingfisher, red and black kites,
the black stork and the red-backed shrike. Considerable numbers of
red deer, Germany’s largest mammal, are likewise at home here. Black
woodpeckers, the largest native woodpeckers, excavate their nesting
holes in the trunks of old beech trees, and later abandon the cavities
to stock pigeons, dormice and bats.
The Dreiborn Plateau: Exciting views and insights
The unique combination of nature and history makes a visit to the
former military training area and former National Socialist education
facility Vogelsang an impressive experience. Vogelsang guides provide
regular guided tours of the building complex. In addition, every
Sunday there is a free ranger tour from the Adlerhof at the Forum
Vogelsang to the deserted village of Wollseifen and back; in July and
August this tour is also available in Dutch and French. Riding through
expansive landscapes in a horse-drawn carriage is also possible on
the Dreiborn Plateau, during organised tours. On the 1st and 3rd
Sunday of each month from April to the end of October, wheelchair
accessible carriages provide transportation several times a day
between Vogelsang and Wollseifen.
Additional information about Vogelsang can be found at:
www.vogelsang-ip.de
7 8
Through the heart of nature: The Wilderness Trail
Would you like to hike through the entire Eifel National Park? For this
you can use the Wilderness Trail, comprising four one-day hikes of 18
to 25 kilometres between Höfen and Zerkall. You can book a special
package including overnight stays with certified National Park hosts, or
you can organise the hike yourself. With the accompanying literature
(available only in German), forest guides or GPS co-ordinates, and
audio and video files from the National Park website, you have
everything you need for a relaxing holiday. You can complement the
hike with “lazy days off”, or can book it as educational leave.
Individual tours with volunteer forest guides
Nearly 150 qualified forest guides offer customised group tours through
the National Park. In return for compensation for expenses, they will
accompany you on family or company outings, carriage rides or hikes on
the Wilderness Trail – providing multilingual service if desired.
What do rangers do in the National Park?
Rangers are happy to provide interesting information and to answer
your questions. They ensure that all visitors comply with the
regulations, provide first aid in the event of an emergency, maintain
trails and signage, and tend selected habitats. Each week they also
offer at least eight free tours (ranger tours and rendezvous).
Multifaceted nature experiences in the National Park
Do you like hiking, horseback riding, cycling, or cross-country skiing?
Of the approximately 240 kilometres of hiking trails, 104 kilometres
can be used for cycling and 65 kilometres can also be used as bridleways.
In addition, there are five kilometres of cross-country ski trails.
The accompanying table provides an overview of the guided tours. All
of the schedules can be found in the free activities programme.
Landesbetrieb Wald und Holz NRW
Nationalparkforstamt Eifel
Urftseestraße 34
53937 Schleiden-Gemünd
Phone +49 (0) 24 44. 9510-0
Fax +49 (0) 24 44. 9510-85
info@nationalpark-eifel.de
www.nationalpark-eifel.de