Vordereifel combines landscapes shaped by volcanic activity with broad ridges and idyllic valleys. For planning your trip, a mix of nature and cultural destinations is a good choice: you can choose from hiking trails of varying lengths, cycling options, viewpoints and places with a mining history. The right combination depends on whether you are looking for a short loop, a longer route or a cultural focus.

Heathland, ridges and valleys

Juniper heaths are a defining feature of the landscape. Together with the areas in neighboring Ahrweiler district, the juniper heaths of Vordereifel are among the largest surviving stands on acidic bedrock in Rhineland-Palatinate and the neighboring federal states. The Bergheidenweg Dream Trail leads through open heathland into the Heidbüchel Nature Reserve. Another landscape highlight is Dr. Heinrich Menke Park, a nature reserve on the western foothills of the Raßberg; access may depend on the weather.

At Wabelsberg near Langscheid, the heath garden serves two purposes: it is both an educational trail and a botanical garden, offering information about characteristic heath plants. If you prefer to take in the landscape from above, the 25-meter-high Boos Eifel Tower offers panoramic views across the Eifel landscape. These destinations each offer something different: knowledge about plants, protected landscapes or expansive views.

Hiking: a loop or point-to-point route

For a shorter, easy loop, the Virneburg Castle View Dream Path is a specific option: this family-friendly circular hiking trail is 3.5 kilometers long and leads to the ruins of Virneburg Castle. Check the latest route information before setting out. The Dream Trails in Vordereifel offer different scenery, taking you through forests, fields and meadows.

At around 13 kilometers, the Millstone Hiking Trail is a considerably longer point-to-point hike. It runs from the Mayen Mining Field via Ettringer Lay and Kottenheimer Winfeld, past Mendig Clay Lake and on to Hof Michels on Mendig's Brauerstraße, and can be hiked in either direction. A temporary access restriction is indicated for one section; check the latest route information before your hike. The main difference between these two hikes is therefore their length and whether they are loops or point-to-point routes.

Cycling and active tours

There are several ways to explore the area by bike: Vordereifel offers cycle paths for all ability levels, while mountain bikers can use specially designated MTB routes. The holiday region also offers multi-day active tours. This means the options range from individual cycle paths to longer excursions, without requiring any particular route for every trip.

Mining, viewpoints and castles

The Bendisberg Mine offers insight into mining history underground. The three-gallery visitor mine offers guided tours through one, two or three galleries, covering the geology and mining techniques used to extract ore from the deposit. The Vordereifel nature experience also includes four landscape monuments and a visitor mine, which visitors can visit, hike to and climb. Other visitor attractions include Bürresheim Castle, the ruins of Löwenburg and Philippsburg in Monreal, the ruins of Virneburg Castle, museums and viewpoints. Visitors can also climb the Hochsimmer Tower.

The way you visit Bürresheim Castle is important when planning: admission is only possible as part of a guided tour. Check the latest opening information before your visit. This makes it easy to plan a cultural destination while hiking and landscape attractions offer a different focus.

Mayen: city history and culture

In the wider destination of Mayen, Genovevaburg Castle stands as a landmark on a rocky outcrop above the market square. The late Gothic castle consists of an upper castle with the 34-meter-high Goloturm tower and a lower-lying outer bailey. It houses the EifelTotal and German Slate Mine exhibitions of the Eifel Museum. Large sections of Mayen's city wall have been preserved, and a restored battlement walkway can be followed as far as Genovevaburg Castle.

Other cultural venues also form part of Mayen's distinctive cityscape: the Old Detention Center, formerly the city jail, was built in 1880 and extended in 1904; today it is a home for art and culture. Every summer, the Mayen Castle Festival turns Genovevaburg Castle into a venue for theater, music and socializing. City tours in Mayen are available on request; the historical city tour lasts around 90 minutes and takes you through the city center.

Before your visit

If you are combining several destinations, check the latest route information and the opening details for Bürresheim Castle.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Luxem, Anschau, Weiler, Langenfeld, Plaidt, Nachtsheim, Monreal, Kalt.

Back to the main travel overview: Mayen-Koblenz.