Οι καλύτερες διαδρομές ποδηλασίας χωρίς κυκλοφορία Eppenberg

Now that's what I call solid construction!

The oldest part of Bürresheim Castle is the imposing keep, a 12th-century tower that clearly reflects the castle's defensive origins. Over time, the castle developed into a complex double complex, consisting of the so-called Cologne Castle and the Trier Castle, which underwent different construction and expansion phases. While the Cologne Castle formed the older part and primarily served economic purposes—leading to its eventual decline—the Trier Castle was transformed into a prestigious residential palace, which continues to shape the character of the entire complex to this day.

On asphalt through the forest, what more could you want? Fantastic.

1 million years of geology. Worth putting your bike aside for a moment.

The Ulmen Maar lies 420 meters above sea level today, covers an area of 5.5 hectares, and is 36 meters deep. The bubbles at the maar's edge demonstrate that volcanism is still active. They bear witness to a turbulent past—but rest assured, there's no eruption in sight! A wall of various rocks and ash, up to 20 meters thick, surrounds the cone. For those interested, these testimonies to this explosive past are beautifully displayed in St. Matthias Church. This unique wall, with its different colored layers and rounded inclusions, is worth seeing for more than just geologists. The slopes of the maar basin are covered with a beautiful forest, which can be explored on a circular walk. A detour to the medieval castle ruins, from which the Crusaders once launched their campaigns, is recommended. The view from the crater rim over the maar and the Eifel beyond will take your breath away. Whether after a sweaty hike or a long drive, the blue of the Ulmer Eifel lake is all too tempting in summer. However, bathing in the maar is prohibited because it is designated as a nature and water protection area.

Wide forest paths lead from the Alfbachtal to the Notkreuz. Here, too, in the Rudebuhrwald forest, an information board informs us that during the war years of 1944-1945, the residents of Darscheid had to seek refuge in the forest to escape the constant air raids. The wooden Notkreuz, erected here, serves to remind future generations of the horrors of war and to call for peace. Wide forest paths lead from the Notkreuz, via the adjacent HeimatSpur valleys and the Höhenweg (Heimat Trail), up to the Thommener Höhe. Here, you'll be treated to breathtaking panoramas of the Volcanic Eifel.

The Sarmersbach XXL or panoramic bench was built in November 2020 and is the largest bench in Rhineland-Palatinate. At 3.25 meters high and 6.27 meters long, it is unique. Over 6 cubic meters of Douglas fir wood were used. You can easily reach the bench via a wooden walkway – no climbing required! However, enter at your own risk. Anyone who takes a break here will be rewarded with a magnificent view.

The Afelskreuz (indulgence cross, mistakenly interpreted as the "Eifel Cross") stands on an old Roman military road. For centuries, pilgrims from the Bonn-Cologne region have traveled this route to the grave of the Apostle Saint Matthias in Trier. This path is therefore also popularly known as the Pilgrim's Route. Another name is the "Piglet Route," because farmers and traders drove their cattle along the Afelskreuz to the markets in Kelberg and Mehren until the 1830s. It is noteworthy that the cities of Trier and Cologne are equidistant from the Afelskreuz (Afelskreuz), some 90 kilometers away. The Romans already established a well-developed network of paths, which can still be seen today. Hörschhausen was a junction of several Roman-era paths and roads. There was also a path from Hörschhausen to Bongard, which crossed the main road between Uess and Lieser at the Afelskreuz.