The notebook of Maars volcaniques de l'Eifel
Climb to see the landscape differently.
Sub-region of the Eifel known for its crater lakes, trails, thermal villages and legible volcanic landscapes.
At your own pace
Identity summary
2 to 5 days
Spring · Summer · Autumn
Recommended car
Lake · Mountain · Nature
Variable accessibility
Modular rhythm
General presentation
Maars volcaniques de l'Eifel
Sub-region of the Eifel known for its crater lakes, trails, thermal villages and legible volcanic landscapes.
Daun Maars, Schalkenmehrener Maar and Manderscheid Castles give the most telling landmarks of the Eifel volcanic Maars. Together, they form a destination where the shores and lakes meet, mountain reliefs and natural spaces, with atmospheres that change over the stages rather than just one uniform decor.
See all
For a stay of 2 to 5 days, it is better to balance visits and travel times. Also to be anticipated: seasonal bathing and variable weather. A car is usually the easiest way to connect different sectors. Accessibility varies from site to site and deserves to be checked step by step.
Strengths and constraints
Strengths
- Daun Maars
- Schalkenmehrener Maar
- Manderscheid Castles
- Vulkanmuseum Daun
- Meerfelder Maar
Before you choose
- Essential car
- Seasonal swimming
- Meteo variable
Places worth visiting
A selection to start dreaming and organizing the stay — not an exhaustive list of everything there is to see.
Nature
Daun Maars
Around Daun, the maars form round lakes laid in ancient craters, between forests, meadows and ridge paths. The Weinfelder Maar, the Gemündener Maar or the Schalkenmehrener Maar each offer a different colour and opening, especially when the wind wrinkles the surface of the water.
Heritage
Manderscheid Castles
The castles of Manderscheid are distinguished by their strategic location and their direct relation to the surrounding landscape. The ideal is to move from a low point to a high point, so you will read how the defensive shape still responds to topography and sight.
Heritage
Vulkanmuseum Daun
The Vulkanmuseum of Daun gives concrete keys to reading the landscapes of the volcanic Eifel: rocks, models, maps and explanations of the maars. The tour works well before a hike, as it makes visible the phenomena that will then be encountered in the surrounding reliefs and lakes.
Coast
Meerfelder Maar
The Meerfelder Maar The opening on the horizon and very marked light transitions between water and shore are required. Move along the contour and return to a prominent point: the place is revealed in depth when you change positions systematically.
Practical tips
This information helps know if the destination matches the planned trip before starting a fuller search.
To go further
More activities
Restaurants, walks, culture, leisure and outings to search without leaving the destination card.
The nearest destinations
The closest ideas on the map, to extend your trip.
Similar destinations
Same landscapes and the same pace of travel, elsewhere in the world.
