Eifel-Blick Schöne Aussicht gives a trip to Salm a specific landscape focus: the viewpoint is 614 metres above sea level. From there, the view extends south-southeast towards the Mosenberg volcanic complex near Bettenfeld and the heights of the Hunsrück. Two distinct sights lie side by side: a volcanic complex and the heights of the Hunsrück.
Views, a river and a nearby geyser
Schöne Aussicht is connected to the nearby source of the River Salm. The river flows through the area and joins the Moselle at Klüsserath. The viewpoint and the river thus offer different geographical perspectives: from the heights, the view extends south-southeast, while the river flows through the area to the Moselle.
Another natural highlight is Wallender Born in the neighbouring settlement of the same name. It is considered the Vulkaneifel’s only cold-water geyser and is a nearby place to visit from Schöne Aussicht. Here, two different perspectives on the landscape complement one another: the sweeping view from the viewpoint and a single volcanic phenomenon.
Vulkaneifel: geology and landscape in a wider context
Across the wider Vulkaneifel destination, 77 maars have been identified to date. A total of 350 eruption centres have also been counted, around 270 of them from the more recent phase. The Ulmen Maar marks the Vulkaneifel’s most recent volcanic eruption, which took place around 10,900 years ago. The Windsborn crater lake near Bettenfeld is another striking regional landscape feature: it is the only natural crater lake north of the Alps. The Gemünden Maar has a water surface of around seven hectares and is the smallest of the three famous “Eyes of the Eifel”.
Hikes and mountain bike routes
The Vulkaneifel trails lead to scenic highlights on both sides of the Eifelsteig. They are marked and signposted, and include half-day hikes, day hikes and multi-day hikes. Two specific routes illustrate different formats and lengths: the Vulcano Trail is a 26.2-kilometre circular route east of Schalkenmehren. The eleventh stage of the Eifelsteig runs from Daun to Manderscheid and is 23.4 kilometres long. When comparing them, consider not only the distances but also the circular route and the two endpoints of the stage. Mountain bikers can enjoy the Trailpark in the wider Vulkaneifel destination, with a network of trails around 750 kilometres long and more than 17,500 metres of elevation gain. As route conditions may change, it is advisable to check the latest trail conditions before setting out.
Museums and historic buildings of the Vulkaneifel
Those who want to learn more about the history of the Earth and volcanism can visit the Eifel Volcano Museum in Daun, which features three-dimensional landscape models of cinder cones, maars and mineral springs, as well as exhibits on volcanism in the Western Eifel. The Vulkanhaus Strohn is an interactive museum. Its geological features include a lava fissure wall around 30,000 years old, about six metres long and four metres high. The Gerolstein Natural History Museum is considered the largest and oldest geo-museum in the Eifel. Across three floors, it displays stone evidence of the region’s geological history.
Historic buildings are also part of the region’s landscape: Ulmen Castle Ruins rise above the steep shore of the Ulmen Maar, and parts of the upper castle have survived. The two Manderscheid castles are separated by the narrow Lieser Valley, bringing together natural and cultural themes through their setting. At the Strohn Lava Bomb, visitors can explore how it formed on site and experience the effects of volcanism in the Eifel; local access conditions may vary.
Discover more destinations: Densborn, Hohenfels-Essingen, Duppach, Kalenborn-Scheuern, Oos, Pelm, Rockeskyll, Hinterhausen.
Return to the main travel overview: Gerolstein.
