• Copyright: Eifel Tourismus GmbH, Dominik Ketz

Hiking tour 04: Eifelsteig: “From the source to the sparkling water”

Hiking trip
5 daysFrom 409.00 €
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✔Early-bird discount through February 28, 2027 ✔Multi-day hike ✔5 days ✔approx. 64 km ✔Blankenheim to Gerolstein


Book by February 28, 2027, at a special price starting at €399.00

Hike light on the Eifelsteig from Blankenheim to Gerolstein—from the source to the spring

The best ideas come to mind when you’re on the move. Whatever works for you seems to have inspired the water here as well, allowing it to unleash its full creativity along the Eifelsteig between Blankenheim and Gerolstein. You stand in awe at the source of the Ahr. You’re seeing it right—it springs from the basement of an old half-timbered house right in the heart of Blankenheim.
The Lampert Valley, with its lush juniper vegetation, promises inspiration . Called the “Tuscany of the Eifel” by locals, a Mediterranean-style natural garden spreads out here on the limestone soils. A playground for rare butterflies. The mysterious stream that vanishes into the limestone shows particular ingenuity.
The Dreimühlen Waterfall is both fascinating and enchanting: it keeps growing. Close your eyes and listen to the triad of the melody of the cascading water. Here, nature performs its concert.
At the end of your hike along the Eifelsteig, mighty rock formations await you just outside Gerolstein. The Hustley, Munterley, and Auberg rocks rise from the fossilized coral reef known as the “Gerolstein Dolomites.” 360 million years ago, small marine creatures achieved something great through their perseverance.

This tour is available year-round. The best time to travel is from April through November. During the winter months, weather conditions may lead to restrictions. Additionally, the shorter days should be taken into account when planning the stage lengths.

Impressions

Travel itinerary

Total length of the route: 65 km

  1. Total distance: Blankenheim – Gerolstein

    • Approx. 64 km total

    1. Day 1: Arrival

      Overnight Stay in Blankenheim

      Blankenheim Castle towers above the town. From there, you have a wonderful view of the winding streets and alleys of this historic little town. In the center of town, in the cellar vaults of a half-timbered house dating from 1762, the Ahr River has its source.

      1. Two hikers stand in front of an old well with two entrances, which are equipped with grate doors. In the background, there is a sign that reads "AHROUELLE."
        Copyright: Eifel Tourismus GmbH, Dominik Ketz

        Ahrquelle

        Blankenheim
        Open today

        In the cellar of one half-timbered-house from 1726 you can find the spring of the river Ahr.

        learn more about: Ahrquelle

    2. Day 2: Blankenheim – Mirbach

      Barren yet rich in plants and insects. The dry, warm soil of the Kalkeifel has given rise to very special landscapes. Early in the spring, primroses bloom in a delicate yellow, and in the summer, over 20 species of orchids unfurl their flowers. In between, columns of juniper rise up.

      1. Day 3: Mirbach – Hillesheim

        The view of the open countryside offers the first glimpses of the Eifel’s volcanic landscape. Halfway along the route lies an interesting natural landmark: the Dreimühlen Waterfall was formed in 1912 during the construction of the Dümpelfeld–Lissendorf railroad line. Since then, the waterfall has grown by about 10 cm every year.

        1. Day 4: Hillesheim – Gerolstein

          From the crime-novel town of Hillesheim through the Bolsdorf Valley up to the Rother Kopf volcano. Here, lava flows shaped the landscape. Before reaching the destination of Gerolstein, another element was at work: the towering cliffs of the Gerolstein Dolomites were once a coral reef. At the Helenenbrunnen in Gerolstein, you can taste how carbon dioxide of volcanic origin blends with mineral water.

          1. Day 5: Departure

            • After breakfast, the hiking trip along the Eifelsteig comes to an end
            1. A stone with the inscription 'Helenenquelle' in golden letters, illuminated by the sun.

              Helenenquelle im Gerolsteiner Kurpark

              Gerolstein
              closed today

              The Helenenquelle on the Kyll Cycle Path near Gerolstein Town Hall is a popular resting place for cyclists and hikers. The fresh mineral water comes from a depth of approx. 90 m and can be drunk free of charge from April-October from the brass tap. Here it is worth taking a break and the park is ideal for a small picnic in nature.  

              learn more about: Helenenquelle im Gerolsteiner Kurpark

          Further information

          Request a quote

          You can request the offer "Hiking tour 04: Eifelsteig: “From the source to the sparkling water”" from the provider Eifel Tourismus GmbH here.

          October 15, 2025 to December 31, 2027

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