The Eifel Region
The Eifel is a region in Germany that boasts some of the loveliest fairy tale towns and medieval castles in the country. Overlooked by most foreign travelers, this region is one of Germany’s best kept secrets.
The region is largely rural and quiet, characterized by agriculture, farmland, and woodlands. Sprinkled between pastures of grazing cows and thick forests, you’ll see tiny towns, in which the most prominent buildings are the churches.
The Eifel is also a low mountain range in eastern Belgium and western Germany. In Germany, the Eifel region borders Belgium, the Moselle River, the Rhine River. If you’re looking at a map, it encompasses the area between Aachen, Trier and Koblenz, in the states of Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia.
Geologically, this region was shaped by volcanic activity. Although the last volcano erupted about 10,000 years ago, evidence of the Eifel’s turbulent past can be seen in the crater lakes, called maars, that pepper the Vulkaneifel landscape.
There are different ways to enjoy this area. For nature enthusiasts, there are tons of gentle trails and wildlife parks. You can hike a stage of the 313 kilometer Eifelsteig trail, or visit the Eifel National Park.
For architecture admirers, there are beautiful castles and medieval towns to visit. And for those who want a respite from a busy travel schedule, the Eifel has several thermal bath (Therme) destinations.
The Eifel also encompasses the Ahr Valley (Ahrtal) and parts of the Moselle Valley (Mosel).
When to Visit the Eifel
For outdoor activities, it’s best to come here in summer, as the weather is “consistently” warm.
If you’re interested in visiting castles, you should come between late Spring and early Fall, as most of them are closed during the Winter season.