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Natural Monuments

Juniper Heaths in the Eifel

Natural Monuments

Juniper Heaths in the Eifel

Highlight • Natural

Juniper Heaths in the Eifel

Recommended by 26 hikers out of 28

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for: Rhein-Ahr-Eifel

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Location: Schalkenbach, Ahrweiler, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany

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Best Hikes to Juniper Heaths in the Eifel

4.9

(74)

338

hikers

1. Weiselstein Observation Tower loop from Niederdürenbach

17.9km

05:07

420m

Expert hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Expert

4.5

(2)

hikers

2. Rodder Maar – Waldgut Schirmau loop from Schalkenbach

15.5km

04:20

300m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

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3. Waldgut Schirmau – Weiselstein Observation Tower loop from Königsfeld

12.6km

03:34

290m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

Tips

PeterH65 (a.k.a. "Waldorf")

July 12, 2024

The juniper heaths are a real "insider tip" in the Vordereifel region. They were created through a special form of farming, known as "Schiffelwirtschaft" (ship-farming), and today are home to a variety of protected animal and plant species. Sheep and goats were kept here from time immemorial until the end of the 1950s. However, because the areas could not be fertilized for cost reasons, more and more nutrients were extracted from the soil. As a result, habitats for undemanding and now very rare animal and plant species have developed here over the centuries.

These rare and partially protected species include birds such as the hazel grouse, woodlark, kite, red-backed shrike, sparrowhawk, meadow pipit, and great grey shrike; insects such as the bramble hairstreak, the large tortoiseshell butterfly, and the fritillary butterfly; many other butterflies and beetles; as well as plants such as juniper, heather, narcissus, arnica, orchids, wood hyacinths, and similarly rare plants that prefer dry and lean open land habitats.

Because traditional agricultural use of these areas has ceased, and fast-growing plants such as broom, blackberries, and birch threaten to displace the protected species, extensive management and protection measures are necessary to preserve these habitats.

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Tina

October 24, 2024

One of the most beautiful hiking tours through the Vinxtbachtal

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Elevation 400 m

Weather

Today

Sunday 26 October

8°C

5°C

100 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 22.0 km/h

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Location: Schalkenbach, Ahrweiler, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany

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Juniper Heaths in the Eifel

1. Weiselstein Observation Tower loop from Niederdürenbach

2. Rodder Maar – Waldgut Schirmau loop from Schalkenbach

3. Waldgut Schirmau – Weiselstein Observation Tower loop from Königsfeld

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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