Schleiden: Nature, starry skies and Eifel experiences
Accommodation in Schleiden
Eifel landscapes between forest, water and open countryside
Schleiden reveals the Eifel in many different ways: Eifel National Park encompasses deep-blue lakes and rivers, expansive reservoirs and forested mountain ranges. Wild daffodils and orchids are also part of the landscape. On the Dreiborn Plateau, quiet open countryside alternates with broom; agriculture and history have shaped the plateau. From there, views stretch as far as the High Fens.
On the edge of Dreiborn, the “Panoramablick” Eifel Viewpoint offers sweeping views as far as Hohe Acht and Michelsberg in the Volcanic Eifel. The Urft Dam Eifel Viewpoint offers a different perspective on the region, with panoramic views across Lake Urft and Lake Obersee. If you enjoy open landscapes and far-reaching views during your stay, these offer different ideas for planning excursions.
Hiking trails for different abilities
The trails vary considerably in length and difficulty. The EifelSpur “Sun, Moon and Stars” is an easy, 8-kilometre hike, with a stated duration of 2 hours. It leads through a landscape with distinctive flora and fauna and offers views of the starry sky in the Eifel International Dark Sky Park. A longer hike is the fifth stage of the Eifelsteig: It is 17.5 kilometres long, of moderate difficulty and leads from Gemünd to Steinfeld, home to the monastery of the same name.
The third stage of the Wildnis-Trail is another longer route: At 22.6 kilometres, it leads from Gemünd to Heimbach and crosses the Kermeter. The Rur-Olef Route is a moderately difficult, three-day hike covering 57 kilometres. It starts in Schleiden-Gemünd and leads through Eifel National Park. For planning your day, the distance, difficulty rating and— for the EifelSpur—the stated duration provide clear guidance. This helps you decide whether a shorter, easier hike or one of the longer routes better suits your travel plans.
Birdwatching and discovering the night sky
At the birdwatching station on Lake Urft, you can observe cormorants, great crested grebes, ducks and grey herons. Two high-quality telescopes with 15× magnification are installed at different heights, making it easy for wheelchair users to watch birds too. At the Urft Dam, with a little luck, you may also see red and black kites and black storks, as well as cormorants.
There are different ways to explore astronomy: The observatory run by the “Stars Without Borders” Astronomy Workshop at the Vogelsang IP International Place in the Eifel National Park Star Park regularly hosts public skywatching events. If you would like to explore the night sky on your own, the well-equipped Vogelsang IP “Star Park” Star Viewpoint is easy to reach.
Vogelsang and historic village scenes
The Eifel National Park Centre at the Vogelsang IP Forum houses the accessible, interactive “Wildnis(t)räume” (“Wild(er)ness Dreams”) nature exhibition for visitors of all ages. The centre is open year-round and is the starting point for regular ranger tours through Eifel National Park. It is served by the “Vogelsang IP Forum, Schleiden” bus stop on the site. By car, you can reach the centre via the B 266 to Vogelsang 70, 53937 Schleiden.
The “Destined to Rule” exhibition by the Vogelsang Nazi Documentation Centre reveals another side of Vogelsang. It is accessible, recommended for ages 12 and up, and can be explored with a guided tour or media guide. In Olef, a district of Schleiden, a historic village square and an intact half-timbered streetscape define the village’s character. The abandoned settlement of Wollseifen on the Dreiborn Plateau was vacated after the Second World War and is now accessible as an archaeological site.
When deciding whether to choose Schleiden as a holiday destination, you can weigh up its different attractions: hiking, nature and birdwatching, starry skies, or insights into history and culture. For more information about the local area, see the pages on Morsbach and Gemünd.
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