Award-winning hikes – explore the Volcanic Eifel on acclaimed trails

Unspoiled nature, magnificent waterfalls, impressive castles and wild romantic rivers like the Lieser and Endert – there’s so much to discover in the Volcanic Eifel. It’s no longer a secret that our region is home to some of the most beautiful hiking trails in the entire country. This has also been recognised by Wander Magazine, a renowned hiking magazine. In the magazine's ‘Germany's Most Beautiful Hiking Trail’ competition, four hiking trails in the GesundLand Vulkaneifel region got a podium place.

This year, another hiking trail can receive the coveted award. The HeimatSpur Wasserfall-Erlebnisroute (Homeland Trail Waterfall Experience Route) has been nominated as the most beautiful day Tour. This well-rounded 13-kilometre (8 mi) route takes you through the pristine Üssbachtal valley to the highest waterfall in the Eifel region – the Klidinger Waterfall. Here, the water plunges 28 metres (92 ft) into the depths. It's a diverse and rewarding hike worth exploring. You can vote here: wandermagazin.de/wahlstudio. The HeimatSpur Wasserfall-Erlebnisroute is number 11 among the day Tours. Voting is open until 30th June. We appreciate your vote!

In this Collection, we present the nominated HeimatSpur Wasserfall-Erlebnisroute as well as the previous winning routes. The VulkaMaar Path claimed first place in the 2021 competition and was crowned as Germany's most beautiful multi-day tour. This two-day adventure impresses with the untouched seclusion of the Lieser Valley and numerous volcanic features along the way.

The Manderscheid Castle Trail celebrated its third-place finish in the day tours category in 2020. The short but challenging route around the famous Manderscheid castles is well-suited for families. Fantastic views of the two castle ruins can be enjoyed along the partially narrow paths that wind through the Lieser Valley. The Niederburg is located directly along the route so you can visit as part of the hike.

The Lieser Path is one of the most renowned long-distance hiking trails in the region and secured second place in the 2018 competition. Stretching 74 kilometres (46 mi), the path traverses the Volcanic Eifel, from the Lieser Spring near Daun to its confluence with the Moselle River. The enchanting mystique of the Lieser Valley is its allure, which has also captivated Manuel Andrack, who considers the Lieser Path to be the most beautiful hiking trail in the world.

The winning trail in 2019 was the hike through the ‘Valley of the Wild Endert.’ The narrow paths that wind deeper into the valley towards the Moselle are utterly enchanting. From Ulmen through the Schieferland Kaisersesch to Cochem, the Endert will be your constant companion. Impressive slate rocks and old mills line the wayside while, at the confluence, the famous Cochem Imperial Castle awaits, providing a unique finale to the hike.