Today, the Ulmen Maar lies 420 meters above sea level, has a surface area of 5.5 hectares and is 36 meters deep. Bubbles on the edge of the maar show that volcanism is still active. They bear witness to its turbulent past - but don't worry, an eruption is not in sight! A wall up to 20 meters thick made of various rocks and ash surrounds the funnel.
For those interested, these witnesses to the explosive past at St. Matthias Church are wonderfully accessible. This unique wall with its different colored layers and round inclusions is worth seeing, and not just for geologists. The slopes of the maar basin are covered in a beautiful forest, which can be discovered on a circular path. We recommend a detour up to the medieval castle ruins, from which crusaders once set off to their battles.
The view from the crater rim over the maar and the Eifel behind it takes your breath away. Be it after a strenuous hike or a long car journey - the blue of the Ulmen Eifelaug shines all too temptingly in summer. But swimming in the maar is prohibited because it is classified as a nature and water conservation area. Instead, you can enjoy the fresh air while fishing for pike and carp. Maybe you'll even spot the giant fish that an old legend tells of.
The charming town of Ulmen of the same name is located directly on the maar. Here, guests can stop off at various cafés and restaurants and enjoy a good cup of coffee or a delicious meal. Parking: Visitors are best advised to park at the Alter Postplatz or the Marktplatz in Ulmen. Both places are centrally located in the town, so it's only a short walk from there to the banks of the Ulmen Maar.