Maars, castles and primeval nature accompany hikers on Germany's most beautiful hiking trail of 2021*: theVulkaMaar trail around Manderscheid in the Eifel. This challenging 26-kilometre tour is best enjoyed as a two-day experience and is a journey into the depths of our home planet. The internationally renowned Maarmuseum provides a vivid and interactive overview, and a visit is the ideal preparation for discovering the treasures along the way.The path also touches the Eifelsteig and Lieserpfad trails in the wooded gorge, which are among the most beautiful paths in Germany.

A real highlight of the hike is the Mosenberg volcano, which erupted with incredible force 29,000 years ago.The eruption left behind primeval basalt blocks and basalt columns, a bizarre gorge, a mysterious crater lake and a silting moor with rare plants, steeply sloping lava flows and ramparts... fascinating evidence of a spectacular geological history.

Water lilies bloom in the circular Meerfeld maar, a dense belt of reeds protects water birds and the crater rim is lined with fragrant mixed forest. In the village of Meerfeld, you can indulge in sweet and savory delicacies with a view of this idyll, as the place is famous for its gastronomy.

* Voted by the readers of the magazine "Wandermagazin" in the category of multi-day tours.