Journey of Discovery on the Vulkaneifel-Pfade Walking Trails

The Manderscheider Burgenstieg mit Rittersteig blends the fascination of the Middle Ages with the unique landscape of the Volcanic Eifel. The 5.4 kilometer-long half-day trip goes through the idyllic natural world of the Eifel and around the charming small town of Manderscheid, which is famous throughout Germany for its age-old castles.

The walking trail first of all runs through a few little streets of the small town, which even today in many places still bears the traces of times long gone. The trail then enters first sparse, tranquil woodland along partly Alpine-looking paths and demanding uphill climbs, then descends into the enchanted valley of the Lieser river. It then runs over stock and stone up to the Eifelblick Belvedere (Belvedere Eifel View), from where a fabulous view of the imposing Manderscheid castles unfolds. The round walk goes as far as the foot of the still imposing fortress and the Rittersteig, a cliff path, which was made passable only a few years ago. Finally the uphill climb leads up to the Kaisertempelchen viewing hut, where again an incomparable panoramic view of the Mediaeval ruins unfolds to the walker.

Lots of scenically charming viewing points and ever new perspectives of the famed Manderscheid castles make the Manderscheider Burgenstieg mit Rittersteig one of the loveliest walking experiences in the whole of Germany!

Our tips:

Whoever has walked around the Manderscheider Castles knows how lovely they are when viewed from afar. Viewed from close up, however, these ancient ruins exert a unique fascination that should not be missed.

Feel like some refreshment after your walk? The Manderscheider Burgcafé beckons with cake specialities and fragrant coffee.

For all those who want to immerse themselves totally in the region’s volcanic past while on a visit to Manderscheid the Maarmuseum is also interesting. How did the maars come into being, and what is the Eckfelder Urpferdchen (Eckfeld primordial horse) all about? Anyone who looks in at the Maarmuseum will soon know.

Anyone who wants to try something quite new can call in at the Kerzenmanufaktur Moll (Moll candle workshop). As well as the little shop where you can buy the shop’s own mustard and soaps, you can look around the candle workshop or make your own candle.

Anyone who is in search of a restful experience has come to the right place here. Walking along the Grafschaft Trail is pure nature enjoyment. You start your 14 kilometre-long walk in Manderscheid with a view of the historic castle complex. You rapidly leave civilisation behind you and dive deep into the woods of the Volcanic Eifel. You go through picturesque fields, along idyllic brooks and again and again into the cool woods. You want to experience even more? No problem. There is a lot to see along the way. For example, the Pfarrkirche Laufeld (Laufeld parish church) with the Wehrturm (the old guard tower), the Laufeld nature trail, the Robertskanzel hill shelter, the Heimatmuseum (homeland museum) and the Manderscheid Maarmuseum (maar museum), the Moll Wachsmanufaktur (Moll wax workshop) and the Manderscheid Steinkiste (Manderscheid stone and fossil collection). A round walk that will give pleasure not only to hobby walkers.

A two-day walk that is not quite so easy. You walk under the motto "Maars, Castles and Unspoiled Nature" – and those are precisely what you get. You discover the traces of the region’s volcanic past: the Meerfelder Maar, the Vulkanerlebnispark Mosenberg (Mosenberg Volcano Adventure Park) and the Windsborn Kratersee (Windsborn Crater Lake). The Meerfelder Maar is about 29,000 years old and is the largest maar in the West Eifel. But you also cross the largely still natural Wolfsschlucht (Wolf’s Gorge) and have a few metres to go up. Here and there you enjoy wonderful views of the Volcanic Eifel.

This 27 kilometre-long walk is to be recommended more for practised walkers, or you can do this very varied walk in two daily stages

This route for practised adventurers takes you, amongst other things, through the Mürmes Naturschutzgebiet (Mürmes Nature Reserve) and across a many-thousand-year-old lava field. It runs over well-developed trails and real adventure trails for practised walkers. Stop at the Schalkenmehrener Maar and dream as you look at the deep-blue water.
After a further uphill stretch you enjoy the view from the Vulcano Information Platform in the Steineberger Ley.
The 26 kilometre-long walk will stay long in your memory, because it is one of the walking trails affording the loveliest views over the Eifel. Dare to look over the garden wall as you go.
This is a special feature of this trail and invites you to stop, enjoy the peace and quiet and let your thoughts wander over the landscape.