National park · Germany
Eifel National ParkNationalpark Eifel
Visit Eifel National Park: take the short 4 km (2.5 mi) Hohes Venn loop (easy, ~2 h) for a low cost, or the longer 12 km (7.5 mi) Rursee ridge trek (moderate, ~5 h) in May–Oct; avoid winter snow, and stay in nearby towns.Visit Eifel National Park: take the short 2.5 mi (4 km) Hohes Venn loop (easy, ~2 h) for a low cost, or the longer 7.5 mi (12 km) Rursee ridge trek (moderate, ~5 h) in May–Oct; avoid winter snow, and stay in nearby towns.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
110 km² (42 sq mi)42 sq mi (110 km²)
approximate
Established
2006
Best months
Apr–Jun, Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Central Europe ↗Six of the nine countries here — Austria, Switzerland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia — charge a time-based motorway vignette, mostly digital and linked to the number plate; buy it before the first motorway past the border, because cameras, not toll booths, do the checking.
- Central Europe ↗Temporary police checks at internal Schengen borders are common in this region in 2026 (Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovenia among others — check): keep your passport on you on every cross-border train, bus and road even though there is no fixed control post.
- Germany ↗Germany is in the EU and the Schengen area: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
- Germany ↗Nazi symbols and gestures are criminal offences, including as jokes or souvenirs.
- Germany ↗Many city centres are low-emission zones: a car needs the right sticker (Umweltplakette) to enter.
At a glance
- Country
- Germany
- Area
- 110 km² (42 sq mi)42 sq mi (110 km²)
- Park covers about 110 km² of forested hills, valleys and the Ruhrtalsperre dam lake (official figure).
- Established
- 2006
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Eifel National Park, opened in 2006 in western Germany, protects a mosaic of hills, forests and the Ruhrtalsperre reservoir, offering 85 km of marked walking and cycling trails and a variety of wildlife such as deer, wild boar and many bird species.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2006.
Size and age
110 km² (42 sq mi)42 sq mi (110 km²) · national park since 2006
Park covers about 110 km² of forested hills, valleys and the Ruhrtalsperre dam lake (official figure).
Why go
- Large forested hills and valleys with a dam‑lake landscape.
- Extensive trail network (85 km (53 mi)) for walking and cycling.Extensive trail network (53 mi (85 km)) for walking and cycling.
- Wildlife including deer, wild boar and many bird species.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanSnow and limited trail access.
- FebSnow possible; some paths closed.
- MarEarly spring, trails opening.
- AprMild weather, blooming flora.
- MayIdeal hiking, warm and dry.
- JunLong days, good trail conditions.
- JulWarm, occasional thunderstorms.
- AugWarm, occasional rain.
- SepCooler, fewer crowds.
- OctAutumn colours, crisp air.
- NovEarly snow, shorter days.
- DecSnow, limited services.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red deer, wild boar, European badgerMar–Oct | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Birds of prey, woodpeckers, owlsApr–Sep | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Aachen
Bus SB63 from Aachen central bus station to Einruhr (1 h 20 min).
1 h 20 min
Open the page →
From Cologne
Train to Düren (30 min), then bus SB63 to Einruhr (1 h).
1.5 h
Open the page →
From Bonn
Train to Euskirchen (40 min), then bus SB63 to Einruhr (50 min).
1.5 h
Open the page →
From By car
A1 to exit 111 (Eifel), then B266 to Einruhr; parking at the visitor centre.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Einruhr visitor centre | Park entrance, information, parking and start of several trails including the Hohes Venn loop. | Open with free entry. |
| Rursee dam and lake area | The Ruhrtalsperre reservoir with viewpoints, walking paths and water activities. | Open; some paths may close in winter. |
| Hohes Venn ridge | Forested ridge with panoramic views; the main loop trail starts from the visitor centre. | Open; check for snow closures in winter. |
| Southern forest zone | Quieter, less‑visited forest area with longer hiking and cycling trails. | Open; no facilities. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are from the official park website; approximate centre of the protected area.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (visitor centre) | Free | person | check |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Dogs
- Allowed on leash in most areas; prohibited on some nature trails (check).
- Camping
- Prohibited outside designated campgrounds; use nearby towns or hostels.
- Fires
- Open fires not allowed; use approved barbecue areas only.
Where to stay
Near the park
Einruhr youth hostel
Dormitory rooms under €30 per night.
Near the park
Bad Münstereifel
Guesthouses and small hotels 15 km (9.3 mi) from the park.Guesthouses and small hotels 9.3 mi (15 km) from the park.
Safety
Snow and ice on trails medium
Wild boar encounters low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Visitor centre reachable by car with parking; short loops have gentle gradients.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in certified eco‑lodgings; buy local honey and produce.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Eifel National Park?
Entry fee is low; exact price needs checking with the visitor centre.
What are the best hikes in Eifel National Park?
The 4 km Hohes Venn loop (easy, ~2 h) and the 12 km Rursee ridge trek (moderate, ~5 h) are popular and well marked.
When is the best time to visit Eifel National Park?
May to October offers mild weather and fully open trails; winter months may have snow and limited access.
Can I camp inside the park?
No, wilderness camping is prohibited; use nearby campgrounds or hostels.
Is the park accessible by public transport?
Yes, regular buses from Aachen and regional trains to Düren connect to local buses reaching the park entrance.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Eifel National Park
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