On a journey of discovery in the Eifel

16 September, 2019

Discover one of the most interesting regions in Germany: the Eifel. Here you’ll find it all – from green mountain landscapes to ancient history and atmospheric towns. The largest part of this beautiful region is in Germany, but there’s also a small part across the border in Belgium. Are you looking for a holiday that is both relaxing and active? Then this region is the place for you! Considering a camping holiday in the Eifel? I’ll share three great tips with you.

Path of discovery

The Eifel National Park is located in the North of the Eifel. Keen walkers can really indulge their passion with no fewer than 240 kilometres of hiking trails. And those who enjoy cycling can enjoy just over 100 kilometres of cycling routes. The cycling and hiking trails vary from easy, to average, to difficult. The levels are clearly marked with wooden signs. If you didn’t bring your own bike, you can rent an (electric) bike at the park. If you look carefully, you may even spot one of the 2000 endangered animal and plant species that flourish here, such as wild cats or black storks, on your route. Need to recover from all the stunning scenery? Then bring your picnic basket with you, and enjoy a nice sandwich next to one of the clear streams. Or climb just a little higher for a fantastic view of the park.

Want to take an exciting, interactive walk with the whole family? Then the Wilder Weg route is recommended. Walk along a 1.6 km long wooden path through the park and experience nature in a totally different way. For instance, you can walk through a tunnel in the shape of a horizontal tree trunk. Kids can see how strong they are at the ‘climbing station’ and become real scientists at the ‘explorer station’. In this way, children are challenged to find out everything about the wilderness, flora, fauna, and forests.

Are you bringing a buggy? No problem! The route is wheelchair and buggy friendly.

Spot lynx, brown bears and wolves

Fancy an adventurous day out? Then visit the Eifelpark in Gondorf. This park is somewhere between a theme park and a zoo, with over 45 rides and more than 200 wild animals. Wandering through the park, you’ll see deer, brown bears, wolves and lynx next to the fenced paths. An absolute highlight is the feeding time at 14:00. Wolves, bears and lynx earn their food in a playful way. And you get to learn all about their eating habits and social behaviour. And there are rides as well as animals – for those seeking an adrenaline rush as well as rides for the little ones. You can toboggan through the mountainous park landscape on the ‘Eifel Coaster’, take a ride on a white-water course, step into a swing carousel or see puppets come to life in the theatre.

Info: for children (100-149 cm) an entrance ticket costs € 23.50. And for people over 150 cm, an entrance ticket is € 26.50.
A handy tip: it’s a good idea to put on some sturdy walking shoes when you visit the park, as there are lots of hills.

From amphitheatre to terraces

If you love culture, you definitely need to visit the oldest city in Germany! Trier was built in the year 326. In this historic city, you’ll find one of the best preserved Roman city gates in the world, the Porta Nigra. If you decide to do a tour, the guide will show you pictures of what the historic gate used to look like. Just outside the centre, you can find the Roman Amphitheatre. This place has a rich history – gladiator fights, executions, musical performances and religious games all took place here. An impressive place, where there used to be space for 20,000 people.

And for those who are really interested in Roman history, there’s the AntikenCard Premium. This card gives access to all four of the Roman structures: Porta Nigra, the Amphitheatre, the Imperial Baths, and the Thermal Baths at the Cattle Market. It’ll also give you access to the Landesmuseum. In this museum, you can discover more than 200,000 years of history of the Eifel region. With the AntikenCard Basic you can visit two Roman buildings as well as the museum.

But there’s plenty to see in Trier apart from the historical monuments! It’s also a lively student city. The Hauptmarkt, located in the centre of Trier, is one of the most beautiful city squares in the Eifel and even in the whole of Germany. There are a number of striking beautiful historical buildings on and around the square, including the St Gangolf’s Church and the Gothic Steipe building. Wander through the streets of Trier and discover the wide variety of shops and terraces. And make sure you try a beer from the Eifel region: the Bitburger. A very refreshing and slightly herbaceous beer.

Info: AntikenCard Premium: € 18 for adults including 4 children under 18 years of age.
AntikenCard Basic: € 12 for adults including 4 children under 18 years.
Without this card, you’ll pay € 8 per attraction for the whole family.

The AntikenCard is available from the Tourist Information Centre in Trier or at the entrance to the Roman works and the Landesmuseum.

Camping in the Eifel

A holiday in the Eifel isn’t complete without a great camping spot. Here are my three tips for a camping holiday in the Eifel.

1. Knaus Camping Park Burgen / Mosel
Knaus Camping Park Burgen / Mosel is located along the Moselle River and is surrounded by world-famous vineyards. There’s a small marina with a view of Bischofstein Castle right next to the campsite. And if you’re feeling daring, you can treat yourself to a really stunning view here. That’s because you can book a balloon flight at the reception, which will give you a view over the idyllic Moselle valley with its beautiful towns and villages. The campsite has spacious pitches, a restaurant with a terrace, and a heated outdoor swimming pool. The perfect spot for a romantic holiday.

2. Reinsfeld Camping Park
Reinsfeld Camping Park is located in the wooded Hunsrück-Saar natural park. Experience the atmosphere of a small campsite, while still taking advantage of the facilities of a much larger campsite. Immerse yourself in the lake or jump in the outdoor pool. For sports enthusiasts, there is a multi-sports field, tennis court, volleyball court and a pétanque court. If the weather is good, you can enjoy cooking at the communal barbecue area, and there’s fresh bread available every morning.

3. Eifel Camping Park
For those seeking peace and quiet, the five-star Eifel Camping Park is the perfect spot. Your holiday will be off to a great start with the warm welcome at reception and the comfort of a brand new toilet block. Here you’ll camp right on the banks of the River Prüm. This hiker’s paradise is also perfect if you’re feeling energetic. Criss-cross the unique landscape of the Eifel: on foot, by bike, or with your car. At the end of the day you can enjoy a bite to eat and a drink with the other campsite guests in the proper German ‘Bierstube’.

Do you have any other tips?

Have you been on a camping holiday in the Eifel? Or do you have any other tips for fun outings? Please let us know!