Chapel view Steffeln

The circular hiking trail combines the marvellous view from the Wahlhausen chapel over the Volcanic Eifel with a visit to the volcano garden in Steffeln.

The circular hiking trail combines the marvellous view from the Wahlhausen chapel over the Volcanic Eifel with a visit to the volcano garden in Steffeln.

During the Second World War (1944), the people of Steffeln made a vow to build a chapel to Our Lady if the war spared their homeland. Construction of the chapel on the Wahlhausen hill, 560 metres above sea level, began in the summer of 1946 and was consecrated in 1947. The oval building is visible from afar and offers magnificent panoramic views of the Vulkaneifel from the hill.

The volcanic cone of the Steffelberg originally had a summit height of 609 metres above sea level. The mining of slag in the last century led to the lowering of the mountain peak by 60 metres and created a deep hole in the landscape. This exposed the former eruption layers and today's visitors can look into the crater and recognise the volcanic processes. The eastern part of the crater filling has been preserved in the volcano garden.

The hike starts at the parish hall in a left-hand direction towards the church. The circular route is marked with a logo, but only in one direction.

Our tip: make a detour to the Eichholzmaar between Steffeln and Duppach.