Crater lakes and lava rock – hiking in Germany’s Volcanic Eifel

Picture this: the smooth stone beneath your feet is blacker than any night sky; the rock face, towering metres into the sky above you, is too. The foliage and moss that carpets the boulders contrasts completely. Some of the rocks are round like marbles and as small as a tennis ball. Others are bigger than you.

The gravel paths of black pebbles wind for kilometres through the woods and across fields with wide views. You don't have to be a geologist to see the cauldrons that turn the landscape into a sea of hills. You don't have to be a botanist either to notice the sparse, colourful plants that grow here.

This unique landscape stretches across Germany's far west. The landscape is shaped by a period of volcanism, which began around 45 million years ago, when the Alps also formed. At this time, continental plates collided, creating the Alps and erupting the first volcanoes in the Eifel as the earth’s crust expanded.

Some of the hills line up directly next to each like dominoes, volcano next to volcano, for 50 kilometres (30 mi).

The Volanic Eiffel are a designated nature and geopark. You’ll find many crater lakes here which are typical of the region. These so-called maars are ground-level volcanic cones that have collapsed and filled with water after an eruption. This landscape is most impressive up close, such as when you hike over black lava rock and along paths that wind around the edge of a crater.

The five Tours in this Collection show you Germany's volcanic landscape up close – from lava walls and maars to historic craters. At the same time, you enjoy sweeping views of the landscape on every single Tour. For example, from the 12-metre (39 ft) high wooden tower ‘Landeblick’, which sits atop the Meerfelder Maar crater, or from one of the pretty and panoramic shelters along the hiking trails.

You don't need any special hiking skills for any of the Tours. They are between 10 and 22 kilometres (6 - 13 mi) long and mostly follow easy forest and meadow trails. Only the ascent and descent to the Klidinger – the highest waterfall in the Eifel – requires surefootedness and attention. The path is also secured with a rope and often used by families.

But now: Let's go! Put your hiking boots on and head off into Germany's volcanic landscape!