Best attractions and places to see around Utzerath highlight the Vulkaneifel region's unique volcanic landscape. This area in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, offers access to various natural features, historical sites, and recreational opportunities. Visitors can explore ancient volcanic lakes, known as maars, and discover landmarks that reflect the region's past. The surroundings of Utzerath provide a diverse setting for outdoor exploration.
Last updated: May 9, 2026
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Old Railway Tunnel "Großes Schlitzohr" near Daun At the end of the first decade of the 20th century, the railway tunnel was driven 560 meters through the mountain. 80 years later, it was converted into a cycle path. The tunnel contains several niches with rounded arches, through which the water seeping in above is drained. The sound of this water has been a part of this place for almost 100 years. Text / Source: Institut Denkunternehmung, Hörscheider Straße 20, 54552 Darscheid https://denkunternehmung.de/alter-eisenbahntunnel-grosses-schlitzohr-bei-daun
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The Daun Maars - 10,000-Year-Old Volcanic Lakes The Daun Maars were formed around 10,000 years ago from volcanic steam explosions. Hot lava rises from the Earth's interior and meets water, which suddenly evaporates. This blasts away entire mountain peaks. What remains is a deep crater that fills with water over the years and a wall of boulders surrounding the lake. The Daun Maars include the Gemünden Maar, the Weinfelder Maar, and the Schalkenmehrener Doppelmaar. One crater of the Schalkenmehren Maar has silted up over the millennia. The area is a nature reserve and a refuge for waterfowl and rare dragonfly species. Text / Source: deutschland-outdoor.der https://deutschland-outdoor.de/eifel/dauner-maare
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Weinfelder Maar The Weinfelder Maar, formed by volcanic activity around 20,000 to 30,000 years ago, is the highest of the three Daun Maars at 487 meters above sea level. The lake is 51 meters deep and has a diameter of 396 to 429 meters. An almost melancholic atmosphere surrounds the maar. Many legends surround the tranquil Eifel eye. A castle is said to have once stood on the site of the crater, where a count lived with his wife and only child. After returning home from a hunt, the castle had sunk as punishment for the woman's nastiness, and he found only a lake where a cradle miraculously floated his child safely to the shore. If you look at the dark surface of the water long enough, it is said that you can make out the outline of the castle. The German landscape painter Fritz von Wille was so fascinated by the Weinfelder Maar that he repeatedly immortalized it in his paintings. Among his favorite motifs was the small chapel on the north bank, dedicated to Saint Martin. It was once the parish church of the village of Weinfeld, which was ravaged by the plague in the 16th century. Anyone who rings the bells inside by pulling the ropes can make a wish. To this day, the associated cemetery is maintained and used by the local community of Schalkenmehren. This is also where its second name, Totenmaar, comes from. Donkeys and goats have been introduced to the Weinfelder Maar to regulate vegetation. The maar's unique flora and fauna are protected. Swimming and other water sports are prohibited in the Weinfelder Maar, but a nearly two-kilometer-long path makes it a wonderful place to explore on foot. Parking: Guests can park along the L64 either in the parking lot at the Weinfelder Maar or on the Maarsattel between the Weinfelder Maar and the Schalkenmehrener Maar. Text / Source: GesundLand Vulkaneifel GmbH, Leopoldstr. 9 A, 54550 Daun https://www.eifel.info/a-weinfelder-maar
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Nice view with markers for orientation. The tower, which was built in 1902, is only 11m high, but stands on top of the 560m high Mauseberg and is thus 166m above the Gemünder Maar, guaranteeing a magnificent view of the surrounding area.
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Beautiful view with an information board for orientation. The tower, built in 1902, is only eleven meters high, but stands at the top of the 560-meter-high Mäuseberg and is thus 166 meters above the Gemünder Maar. This guarantees a magnificent view over the surrounding area.
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A section of the Eifelsteig long-distance hiking trail runs right through the Dauner Maare. Very nice path past the witnesses of the volcanic past of the Eifel. https://www.eifelsteig.de/
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The hiking car park and the hiking map with an overview of the various routes are located at the Waldcafe. This is a great place to start your tour and enjoy a coffee at the end.
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Very beautiful Maar, more than 100m deep embedded in the "crater", the smallest of the three Dauner Maare offers a beautiful outdoor pool and the opportunity to explore the volcanic lake by boat. The forest café and the starting point for numerous hikes and tours are also located at the car park.
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The Vulkaneifel region around Utzerath is renowned for its volcanic lakes, known as maars. You can visit the Schalkenmehrener Maar, the largest of the three Daun Maars, which features a beautiful circular path. Another option is the Gemünden Maar, offering swimming and boat rentals. The Weinfelder Maar (Totenmaar) provides a more tranquil experience with its historic chapel and protected nature.
Yes, the area offers several points of historical interest. The Großes Schlitzohr Tunnel is a former railway tunnel, now a unique cycle path, nearly 600 meters long with distinctive acoustics from seeping water. While a bit further afield, the impressive Cochem Castle and Nürburg Castle are also notable historic landmarks in the broader region.
For panoramic views of the Eifel's volcanic landscape, including its maars, head to the Dronke Tower on the Mäuseberg. This observation tower offers breathtaking vistas and is a popular spot for visitors to appreciate the region's unique geology.
The region around Utzerath is excellent for outdoor activities. You can find numerous routes for gravel biking, road cycling, and running. For specific cycling routes, explore the Gravel biking around Utzerath or Road Cycling Routes around Utzerath guides. If you prefer running, check out the Running Trails around Utzerath for various options.
Absolutely! The Schalkenmehrener Maar and Gemünden Maar are great for families, offering circular paths and opportunities for swimming or boating. The Großes Schlitzohr Tunnel provides a fun and unique cycling experience for all ages. Additionally, the Wildlife and Adventure Park Daun is a large park where families can observe various animals in a natural setting.
Yes, you can swim in some of the maars. The Gemünden Maar offers an outdoor swimming pool and opportunities for boat exploration. The Schalkenmehrener Maar is also suitable for swimming. However, swimming and other water sports are prohibited in the Weinfelder Maar (Totenmaar) as it is a protected nature reserve.
The Nürburgring is a world-renowned motorsport complex offering thrilling experiences for car racing enthusiasts. It is located in the vicinity of Utzerath, making it an accessible attraction for those interested in motorsports.
Yes, you'll find refreshment options near some of the maars. The village of Schalkmehren, adjacent to the Schalkenmehrener Maar, provides places to stop for refreshments. There is also a forest café located near the Gemünden Maar, perfect for a break during your exploration.
The Großes Schlitzohr Tunnel is unique because it's a former railway tunnel, nearly 600 meters long, that has been converted into a cycle path. It features niches with rounded arches where seeping water creates a distinctive sound, offering a special and atmospheric experience for cyclists and pedestrians alike. It's also one of the longest bicycle tunnels in Germany.
The Weinfelder Maar, also known as Totenmaar (Dead Maar), is notable for its melancholic atmosphere and rich history. It features a small chapel and an associated cemetery, some parts dating back to the 14th century, which was once the parish church of the abandoned village of Weinfeld. It's now a protected nature reserve, offering a tranquil setting for walks.
The Vulkaneifel region, with its diverse natural landscapes including maars and forests, supports various wildlife. For a guaranteed encounter, the Wildlife and Adventure Park Daun offers opportunities to observe different animals in a natural setting, guided by professional staff.
Yes, many maars have well-maintained circular paths. The Schalkenmehrener Maar has a very beautiful circular path. The Gemünden Maar is also part of the MaareGlück circular route and the Eifelsteig long-distance hiking trail passes through the Dauner Maare, offering scenic walks past these volcanic formations.


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