Feel the energy of fire, earth and water and experience a landscape that moves, excites and inspires.
In Gerolsteiner Land, experiencing nature is at the heart of your vacation. Here you can feel the power of fire, earth and water with every step you take. Our landscape is not a backdrop, it is both the centerpiece and inspiration. We want to make this valuable natural heritage accessible to you in all its facets and bring it to life.
What makes nature in Gerolsteiner Land so special?
Embedded in the Volcanic Eifel Nature and UNESCO Global Geopark, it offers you a unique insight into the history of the earth. Mighty volcanic formations, mysterious maars, bubbling springs and pristine forests tell of the eventful past of this region. At numerous adventure sites, themed trails and information points, you can discover the special features of the natural environment in a vivid and exciting way.
Striking rocks tower into the sky, circular maars tell of huge eruptions and layers of rock provide an insight into millions of years of the earth's history. What was once fire is now a fascinating natural backdrop and a lively place of learning.
The quaternary volcano Goldberg, northeast of the municipality Ormont, is the northwesternmost foothill of the quaternary volcanic field in the Westeifel.The volcano is 649.1 meters above normal zero. The Goldberg was formed about 10 to 11,000 years ago in two eruptions. First, a large ash cone was formed. The second eruption phase began after a short time, which at first exploded the top of the old cinder cone with a strong explosion. Then again a cinder cone was built up on the leftovers and the activity ceased after a certain time.
Idyllically located between the two Eifel towns of Steffeln and Duppach on the volcanic path and the "Vulkane, Maare & Dreese" circular trail, the Eichholzmaar with a diameter of approx. 120 m and a maximum depth of 3 m is the smallest and northernmost water-filled Maar of the Eifel.
In the heart of the Volcanic Eifel lies what is probably the most complete volcano in Germany, the Rockeskyller Kopf. No other volcano shows all stages of its development so open-heartedly.
The 566-meter-high, erosion-shaped volcanic cone is home to the impressive millstone caves, where angular lava clinker and porous rock provide an impressive insight into the volcanic past of the region.
The volcanic activity on Munterley has had several eruptions, the most notable being the crater of Papenkaule. The volcanic crater is about 80 m wide and 20 m deep. Today, the Papenkaule is a top-class geo- and biotope.
About 2500 years ago there was a Celtic urbanisation with pastures on the Dietzenley. The Celtic urbanisation was protected by ring walls of up to 9 meters high and 4 meters wide against attacks.During the volcanic activity around 600.000 years ago, the area around the Dietzenley was covered with volcanic rocks. These rocks are used by the Celtics to build the ring walls.
Dark, mysterious and full of adventure await you in the region's ice and millstone caves, which were created by centuries of basalt mining.
Copyright: Eifel Tourismus GmbH, Dominik Ketz
Birresborner Eishöhlen
Birresborn
closed today
Until far into the 19th century millstone were carved out in the caves. But the caves also were used as natural "refrigerators". In the winter time they were equipped with ice and snow so that cooling conditions kept the cold far into the summer.
The Buchenlochhöhle is located in the nature reserve of the Gerolstein Dolomites. The cave was washed out of the rock millions of years ago by the dissolving power of groundwater and is open all year round.
The millstone caves are located northwest of Gerolstein, between the districts Müllenborn and Roth. For those who want to get really deep insights into the interior of the volcano Eifel, a visit to the Mühlstein caves is a must.
