Germany's Eifelleiter hiking trail – three stages through unique landscapes

From the wide Rhine valley, you hike over an extinct volcano to the highest mountain of the Eifel, a low mountain range in western Germany. You wander through seemingly endless meadows and quiet, mystical forests with views of historic castles. There’s no hustle and bustle here and no stress – just you and the magnificent landscape of the Eifel.

The 53 kilometres (32.9 mi) of the Eifelleiter offers a wide variety of landscapes and unique natural treasures. From the small spa town of Bad Breisig on the Middle Rhine, you pass through a crater landscape to a lake. The enchanting Brohtal Valley brings you to another trail highlight: the Hohe Acht. At 747 metres (2,450 feet), this mountain is the highest point in the Eifel. Finally, the enchanting Adenauer Bach Valley opens up before you, revealing Adenau, the historic half-timbered town where this hike ends.

The hike is divided into three stages between 16 to 22 kilometres (9.9 and 13.6 mi) so you can take plenty of time to see the sights along the way and arrive relaxed at the stage destinations. You can also tailor the stage lengths to suit you or plan hikes from one place.

Bad Breisig is easy to reach by train from Koblenz, Bonn, Cologne, Mainz or Düsseldorf. The stage end points are regularly served by public buses and in Niederzissen you even have a connection to the Brohltabahn ‘Vulkan-Express’ train. In or near the towns along the trail you can find nice accommodation, cosy restaurants and cafes for every taste.

To ensure that everything runs smoothly for your hike, I recommend getting up-to-date information on accommodation and public transportation connections. Adenau was also affected by the flood in July 2021 and reconstruction is in full swing. Hosts are happy to be able to offer their services again and to take good care of you.

Now you are ready to go! Pack your backpack, lace up your shoes and don't forget your camera. One of the most popular hiking trails in Germany is waiting to be discovered.