4 days on the Wilderness Trial through Eifel National Park

With its narrow valleys, dense forests and wide plateaus, the Eifel National Park is a real hiking paradise. But it is not only humans who have taken the Eifel into their hearts. The wild forests and lonely mountains are inhabited by countless species of animals. Attentive hikers can observe owls, deer and beaver on the natural hiking trails, with the undisputed king being the little Eifeltiger—a wildcat that has chosen to make the national park its home.

For years, large areas have been left untouched by human nature, allowing the park to flourish. The spruce that conquered the environment over the years is gradually being replaced by beech forests, while dead trees have become an important habitat in themselves, allowing the large population of beavers in the area to build their dams undisturbed.

The official wilderness trail takes you from the south of the park to the north and leads you through the diverse landscapes of the Eifel. In four days, you'll cover a distance of around 86 kilometers (53 miles) and climb almost 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) in altitude. You will visit lonely meadow valleys, pristine forests and quiet plateaus. Although the trails lead mostly through secluded nature, you will find cozy towns and villages with numerous accommodation possibilities at the stage destinations. The National Park is easy to reach by train and bus from all directions and you can set off right after your arrival. So, let the call of the wilderness tempt you into the Eifel!