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| Wilder Kermeter Eifel National Park |
After our wonderful days along the Middle Rhine Valley, our next stop was the Eifel National Park amd surrounding areas. A blissful 2 weeks were spent in this area - truly pristine and calming piece of Germany.
Our first walk in the Eifel National Park was at the Wilder Kermeter area. This area is specifically suited to those with handicaps although there were lots of couples with prams as the paths are very smooth and flat. The park has 240 km of hiking trails, 110 km of cycle paths and is extremely popular. The board walk area had some fascinating info on the various mushrooms (10 species) found in the forest - all different shapes and sizes.
Next was a drive to Heimbach. Our first stop was at Abbey Mariawald for their famous pea soup! Filling and delicious! The road winds up the mountain and appears a favourite with bikers. There were many out today, being Sunday. It is well worth the stop, no matter what the weather.
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| Abbey Mariawald Heimbach Germany |
Castle Hengebach is perched above the Rur river in Heimbach and the narrow, winding stairs go up and up in the dark! Built in the 11th Century it is among one the oldest buildings in the Eifel region. We did not climb right to the top but the views would be worth it, looking over the town and valley.
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| Castle Hengebach Heimbach Germany |
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| River Rur Heimbach Germany |
Heimbach is very pretty with a number of half-timbered houses, plenty of pavement cafes and a peaceful river walk (Rur)
All in all a very pleasant day of exploring.
Thunderstorms expected tomorrow!
Weather so far has been exceptional with temperatures ranging from 28 degrees to coolest 22 degrees.
Day 2:
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| Deer Park Hellenthal Germany |
Today the forecast was thunderstorms and rain. So we opted to visit the Deer Park in Hellenthal. There are various deer - Red deer, fallow deer, roe deer, sika deer plus wild boar. The bird of prey flight show has falcons, buzzards and eagles flying high! It is a must see.
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| Deer Park Hellenthal Germany |
The area is huge and offers many picnic tables. Ideal for families - the children will be enthralled.
Privately owned.
The birds of prey are bred and trained by the falconers.
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| Deer Park Hellenthal Germany |
Driving back we saw beautiful fields of canola ( or whatever it is called in Germany)
Germany is very green, roads go every which way so without "Betsy" we would be totally lost!
#TomTom rules!
Day 3
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| Bad Munstereifel Germany |
Today we visited the town of Bad Munstereifel. As most will remember this area of Germany was devastated by floods July 14th and 15th 2021. The town is beautiful and one can hardly believe that the trickle currently in the River Erft could cause such huge damage. Construction is ongoing nearly 10 months later. Only the odd shop or 2 open in the main historical area. The buildings are stunning so it was very sad to see the devastation.
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| Bad Munstereifel Germany |
Even in Gemund where we are staying there was flood damage -folk ate still trying to rebuild with partial assistance from the German government.
But life goes on in Bad Munstereifel - kids chatter on their way home from school but mostly it is quite eerie in the main drag where the noise is quite ear-splitting from the rocks being thrown into skips and the grinding of the many construction machines.
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| Bad Munstereifel Germany |
Bringing the memories back of those devastating floods in International TV was rather sobering.
And now the sun is out again!
Day 4
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| Monshau Germany |
Today we set off to visit Monschou, a former cloth making city of the 18th century. The town achieved worldwide fame thru the work of Johann Heinrich Scheibler. We visited the huge Rotes Haus ( Red House) Museum which shows the history of the cloth making era. The house was built around 1760 and the rooms are furnished as they were for this family residence.
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| Monshau Germany |
This is a town in the Rur Valley and offers quaint streets, pavement cafes, historic buildings and even a house perched right next to the river!
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| Monshau Germany |
The Protestant Church is built in the middle of the town at the confluence of the Rur and Laufenbach rivers. The first service was held in 1789.
Despite our hold up at the beginning of the trip due to a previous accident where the officials were measuring from all angles, we enjoyed our day in this historical Town.
We did a short drive into Belgium - straight road and lots of logging activity. Just to say we were in Belgium!!
Day 5
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| Lake Rursee Germany |
Our cruise on Lake Rursee was magical today. We started off at Schwammenauel. The parking area here is huge - it was nearly empty when we arrived and very full when we left! The boat goes along this beautiful lake with trees on all sides. Yachts, paddle boats, SUP, guys fishing from boats etc. Next stop was Eschauel then Woffelsback (beautiful from the water) then Rurgberg where we turned around for the return journey. All in all a sunny, cheerful day.
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| Lake Rursee Germany |
Only problem was that the supermarkets are not open Sundays so we spent some time looking for petrol stations to get some rolls as the fridge is empty! Thank goodness for "Betsy"
This drive took us thru an area not yet visited so it was all good!
I find it fascinating that the fields are right next to the roads - no fences in sight. Cycle paths everywhere.
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| Eifel Area Germany |
Roads are very narrow - single lane in some places. The drivers are pretty good so no hassles.
Day 6
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| Fishing on Lake Frielingen Germany |
Today we first did the circuit of Lake Freilingen (near Blankenheim). A pretty lake and an area that allows visitors to fish, swim, barbeque or just relax. The lake is fed from a fresh water spring and covers an area of 11 hectares. The deepest part is 10 metres.
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| Lake Freilingen Germany |
Sadly, there was a plaque for a little 8 yr old with 3 teddies. Presumably she drowned.
Lots of walkers out, swimmers in the lake - yikes in the cold! And a lone guy paddling a boat and fishing. A lovely walk in the fresh air.
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| Lake Freilingen Germany |
Next we visited the lovely historic centre of Blankenheim. Featuring numerous half-timbered buildings, a beautiful old hotel, city gateways, the water mill that was part of the medieval system to supply water to Castle Grafenburg and cobbled streets.
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| Blankenheim Germany |
The river Ahr runs through the cellar of a house in the town apparently. Not sure if I would fancy owning that building!
We walked up to the castle - it is apparently now either a guest house or something similar.
The views of the town from above were worth the many steps.
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| Blankenheim Germany |
"Betsy" took us via villages, agricultural fields, a highway and much round and about to get us to Lake Freilingen. Nobody knows how her mind works! Thankfully the way back to Gemund was quick and easy.
A great outing and a wonderful walk.
Day 7
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| Our accommodation in Gemund Germany |
We left Gemund this morning in the rain! The receptionist has a brother in Goodwood, Cape Town so maybe will will see her in the future.
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| Our walking trail in Gemund Germany |
The rain carried on for most of the trip, at times just a drizzle and other times a downpour with poor visibility. The last part of the journey to Saarbrucken was on the Autobahn. Traffic was fairly heavy. Road works in places.
Thailand is known as " The Land of Smiles" - Germany should be "The Land of Trees" The trees are incredible and everywhere just so green.
The area all around the Eifel is so pristine that's its been a wonderful experience.
Ideal for hikers, bikers, those looking for colourful villages and interesting history - The Eifel has it all!
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| Hiking Path Gemund |
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