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Natural Monuments

Basalt Quarry at Vulkan Kalem

Natural Monuments

Basalt Quarry at Vulkan Kalem

Highlight • Structure

Basalt Quarry at Vulkan Kalem

Recommended by 23 hikers out of 26

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for: Natur- und Geopark Vulkaneifel

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Location: Birresborn, Vulkaneifel, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany

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Best Hikes to Basalt Quarry at Vulkan Kalem

4.5

(8)

hikers

1. Baumweg Educational Trail – Vulkaneifel Trail loop from Kopp

14.0km

04:07

400m

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

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Intermediate

4.5

(4)

hikers

2. Baumweg Educational Trail – Birresborn Ice Caves loop from Birresborn

11.3km

03:16

290m

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

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Intermediate

5.0

(3)

hikers

3. Baumweg Educational Trail – View of Vulkan Kalem loop from Birresborn

18.3km

05:17

480m

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

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Expert

Tips

April 22, 2023

The Kalem volcano, towering to the west of Birresborn, is one of the largest and oldest volcanoes in the Vulkaneifel; it is a good 600,000 years old. At that time, a powerful, red-hot lava flow rolled down from the lava gorge at the summit of the Kalem into the primeval valley of the Kyll. When looking into the lava fractures, both dense columnar basalt and porous basalt slag can be seen. The millstones for tan, paper and grain mills were made from the porous basalt slag well into the 19th century. You can find out more about this at the ice caves. The Georoute also leads through the nature reserve "Felst" - a very interesting sea of rocks in the south-east of the volcano. Source: birresborn.de/naturdenkmal.asp?= and wildganz.com/wanderweg/de-5772-geo-rundweg-vulkan-kalem
The basalt mining is also viewed critically. See e.g. (but also other online sources) backend.dnr.de/sites/default/files/Publikationen/Themenhefte/16_11_R2-0_Fallstudie_Basaltabbau_Eifel.pdf

Translated by Google •

Britta

February 4, 2025

basalt quarry

Translated by Google •

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Elevation 460 m

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Thursday 6 November

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Max wind speed: 11.0 km/h

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Location: Birresborn, Vulkaneifel, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany

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Basalt Quarry at Vulkan Kalem

1. Baumweg Educational Trail – Vulkaneifel Trail loop from Kopp

2. Baumweg Educational Trail – Birresborn Ice Caves loop from Birresborn

3. Baumweg Educational Trail – View of Vulkan Kalem loop from Birresborn

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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