Eifel: The Hot Favourite of Germany
The Eifel is one of the low mountainous regions located in the western parts of Germany. Geographically classified as a plateau region, the Eifel almost as if looms in between the rivers Rhine and Mosel. Towards its ends are the borders of Luxembourg and Belgium. Eifel then goes on continuing its journey with the Ardennes and the Hohes Venn of Belgium.
This German plateau region can be divided into three sections – Schneifel or Schnee-Eifel, Hocheifel, and Voreifel.
The Schneifel is located closer to the Belgian frontier. This region is dominated by scrubs and forests. There are also some sections wherein cultivation is possible because of the richness of the soil.
The Hocheifel or the High Eifel, as the name suggests is the highest point of the region and also houses the highest point of the plateau as well. The length of the Hohe Acht, the highest mountain of the range is roughly 2,451 feet or 747 metres. It is surrounded by the following districts of Rhineland-Palatinate – Ahrweiler and Mayen-Koblenz. This mountain is also categorised as a tertiary volcano.
The Voreifel or the Fore Eifel is the name of the slopes which is towards the south, facing the river Mosel. The surface of the Fore Eifel is marked with signs of volcanic eruptions such as craters and small cones.
Throughout the region one can find quarries of igneous rocks such as – pumice, tuff and basalt. Towards the northern parts of the region one can also find the famous Eifel National Park.
Archaeologists have been studying the region for ages now. They have been able to unearth evidences which suggest that the plateau beginning from Bitburg and Extending towards Cologne, this region is particularly interesting because it shows quite startling signs of ancient habitations. There are also some sites dating back to the Middle Ages suggesting mining activities. This region is known for its iron, lead and zinc.
There is also the 11th century Abbey which was founded near Lake Laacher. Furthermore, while travelling through the region one can spot sparse population residing in the surrounding areas in patched settlements. Their lineage can be drawn straight back from the medieval times, the same time when monasteries and castles were erected in the region. Population residing here is largely dependent on agriculture wherein plantation happens on a rotational basis. However, their holdings largely remain smaller in size and are minutely divided.
Eifel and the revelation
The region is blessed with everything. There is the natural along with the historical and cultural milieu and then there is the geographical diversity. It gives you the best of everything.
Beautiful sceneries, grand landscapes are ubiquitously present throughout the German lands but the one that tops it all is the region of Eifel. The region is bound to surprise you, giving you the appearance of being in a fairy-tale sort of a setting. One’s senses are bound to get overwhelmed. Another interesting feature of the region is its dormant volcanoes. There are 200 of those lying silently in their eerie sleep. In the town of Daun one can find the Vulkanmuseum, at this spot you can find interesting details about the region.
There is a lake in the region by the name of Lake Leach, it is the largest of its kind here and a haven for water sports enthusiasts. Along with this, a number of natural springs can be found in the region. These springs are a good relaxation point where you can come and sit after your long days’ worth of tour and travel. Once when you regain your energy, the next destination(s) should be the ruins of the region. The region is full of castles, monasteries and villages that give out the aura of mysticism. They are one of the biggest attractions here. Another popular feature is the Eifel Lakes
Roman aqueducts are another for which Eifel is possibly the best known. These aqueducts used to be quite an important source of water in the classical times. Moreover, if you are looking for an ideal mode to explore, in that case the best mode is the Vulkan Express. It is probably going to be the most romantic train journey of one’s life. Moreover, the sites that the train passes through, they offer a different source of amazement altogether.
An additional attraction is the local cuisine. This region is described to be the home of some of the best red wine and smoked beef.
The Eifel National Park
There will be these moments wherein you will be dumbfounded upon seeing the black stork, or the majestic looking eagle owls and the definitely scary wildcats. Natural habitats such as the Eifel National Park have to day become a rarity. This national park is home to more than 1,400 endangered species of flora and fauna.
Eifel National Park also offers special pathways for walkers, cyclists along with horse riders. The flow and movement of visitors is managed within the national park. This is done so that the natural world remains unhindered. Authorities of the national park do not compromise one bit while ensuring the safety and security of the wildlife.
The quality certification
When you travel around Eifel there will be a ubiquitously found marque – yellow ‘e’ superimposed on four coloured blocks. It represents an assurance of quality and is the first of its kind in the whole of Germany. Such marques have managed to create a form of association between the local businesses. If you see this mark on any product, then quality is an assurance. This marque can be found on products as well as on services such as wine, water, premium ham, and speciality sausages, breads and eggs, milk, honey along with restaurants.
Resonating spirituality
There is something about silence it can kill you but it can also uplift you. It allows you enough scope to self-reflection and in the due process you end up crushing the confusion and conflict and find peace. This is what happens when you go on exploring Eifel, when you walk through the Creation Path near Simmerath-Hirschrott. If you are the religious kind, in that case, there are boards with religious excerpts taken from the Bible along with other texts that are secular in nature.
The land of volcanoes
Eifel has over 200 dormant volcanoes which are mostly located between Bonn and Trier. Despite that fact, the region is present on some the most geologically active area in Germany. All of the highlands of this region in their entirety were formed due to the eruptions in the past. While passing through the various fields and hills of the region it almost becomes impossible to imagine as to how it would have been during the time of the Cenozoic period when earth shattering volcanic eruptions were common. There are over 350 sites of eruptions that are marked with stories which are further suggestive of the catastrophic intensities of the time and they can only be imagined in fragments. Moreover, there are a few geological museums in the Eifel region which have considerable amounts of documentation concerning the various developments of the region.
Haven for Geologists
If you are a geologist by profession or just happen to love it as a hobby, then in that case Eifel is a place for you. You must take the German Volcano Route and explore the forty different attractions on the route which is specifically present for your exploration. In addition to that, these volcanoes practically lay bare relics dating back millions of years. The volcanic region specifically is marked by volcanic lakes, sinkholes and cinder cones. There are some of the most beautiful quarries in the region along with geysers, mineral springs and hot spots.
Following is a list of the must visit castles in the region:
- Eltz Castle
- Lissingen Castle
- Satzvey Castle
- Dudeldorf Castle
- Schloss Eicks
- Bollendorf Castle
- Genovevaburg
- Vlatten Castle
- Cochem Castle
The other ruins that can be visited are:
- Gerolstein Castle
- Gödersheim Castle
- Löwenburg and Philippsburg
- Manderscheid castles
- Monschau Castle
- Nideggen Castle
- Schönecken Castle
- Ulmen castles
- Nürburg Castle