Lakes around Uersfeld are primarily volcanic crater lakes, known as Maars, located in the Volcanic Eifel region. This area is characterized by unique geological formations, offering diverse natural beauty and recreational opportunities. Uersfeld serves as a base for exploring these ancient volcanic craters that have filled with water, creating distinct natural landscapes. Visitors can find a variety of lakes, from protected natural monuments to active recreational areas.
Last updated: June 27, 2026
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Very beautiful artificial lake created, for big and small, what
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The Ulmen Maar lies 420 meters above sea level today, covers an area of 5.5 hectares, and is 36 meters deep. The bubbles at the maar's edge demonstrate that volcanism is still active. They bear witness to a turbulent past—but rest assured, there's no eruption in sight! A wall of various rocks and ash, up to 20 meters thick, surrounds the cone. For those interested, these testimonies to this explosive past are beautifully displayed in St. Matthias Church. This unique wall, with its different colored layers and rounded inclusions, is worth seeing for more than just geologists. The slopes of the maar basin are covered with a beautiful forest, which can be explored on a circular walk. A detour to the medieval castle ruins, from which the Crusaders once launched their campaigns, is recommended. The view from the crater rim over the maar and the Eifel beyond will take your breath away. Whether after a sweaty hike or a long drive, the blue of the Ulmer Eifel lake is all too tempting in summer. However, bathing in the maar is prohibited because it is designated as a nature and water protection area.
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The lower castle has completely disappeared. You can still see the beginning of the ring that connected the lower castle and the Ulmen city wall, a two-story outer wall of the palace, as well as a cistern and some foundation walls of other buildings. The old part of Ulmen Castle was built around 1074 AD and likely rests on the remains of a Roman settlement. In the Middle Ages, Ulmen Castle was further expanded and divided into the upper castle, whose remains of the walls still exist, and the lower castle, which extended to the banks of the maar river. Two knightly families lived in the castle, which is believed to have never been attacked or destroyed until 1673 due to its size. Only the Sun King's troops succeeded. It was rebuilt, but fell again in 1689 during the War of the Succession. However, Ulmen Castle was also rebuilt this time, with only the city wall being abandoned. With the invasion of Napoleon's soldiers, Ulmen also became French and later Prussian. The empty castle, whose last descendant died in 1801, was auctioned to a merchant from Cochem, who sold it as a quarry. When a devastating fire burned Ulmen to the ground in the 19th century, the residents of Ulmen rebuilt their houses with stones from the castle. That's why you can still see a coat of arms on some of the stables today. It wasn't until the early twentieth century that Ulmen Castle was declared a listed building and became the property of the municipality of Ulmen. The castle is always freely accessible.
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The Boos Double Maar consists of two silted-up maars, which today appear as shallow depressions in the terrain. They are located within the municipality of Boos. The two maars formed between 10,150 and 14,160 years ago and belong to the Quaternary volcanic field of the Volcanic Eifel. The two maars form large, circular basins surrounded by tuff embankments. They lie on a west-southwest-east-northeast trend, thus following the Variscan strike of the subsurface. The west-southwest maar has a diameter of approximately 700 m and a depth of between 30 and 60 m; the east-northeast maar is between 650 and 700 m and a depth of between 50 and 87 m. Both depressions are very humid, so there are still areas that have a permanent water surface. The waters were formerly used as fish ponds, but later silted up and served as meadows and fields. Today, there is once again a fish pond in the west-southwestern part of the maar, the Booser Weiher. In the vicinity of the maars, there are tuff pits where the volcanic tuff formed during the eruption of the maars was mined. Very beautiful nature.
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beautiful small reservoir, ideal for a short walk
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The history of the Volcanic Eifel can be explored at the Booser Doppelmaar. The Booser Doppelmaar consists of two silted-up maars, which today appear as flat hollows in the terrain. The two maars were formed between 10,150 and 14,160 years ago. Viewed from above, the two maars are circular basins. The west-southwest maar has a diameter of around 700 m and is between 30 and 60 m deep, the east-northeast maar is between 650 and 700 m large and has a depth of 50 to 87 m. The two hollows are very wet, so there are still places that have a permanent water surface. The water areas were previously used as fish ponds, but later silted up and served as meadows and fields. Today there is again a fish pond in the west-southwestern maar, the Booser Weiher, see also https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Booser_Doppelmaar
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The Ulmener Maar is small but beautiful. Located in the middle of the Eifel and in the middle of the city, it is a wonderful destination. You can easily combine a walk around the maar with a walk around the neighboring Jungferweiher. Both have recently been connected by the Ulmener Maar tunnel, which runs under the A 48 motorway.
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The Jungferweiher Maar is located at an altitude of 428 meters, is 1.7 hectares in size and is very shallow and swampy at 80 cm.
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The Uersfeld region is primarily known for its unique volcanic lakes, called maars, which are ancient volcanic craters filled with water. You can also find artificially created lakes and natural swimming spots, offering a diverse range of natural landscapes and recreational opportunities.
Yes, several lakes near Uersfeld are suitable for swimming. The Heilbachsee is an artificial lake near Gunderath that allows swimming and also features an observation tower and a play ship for children. The Gemündener Maar also permits swimming and has an outdoor pool and boat rentals. Additionally, the Pulvermaar is a natural swimming pool and one of Germany's deepest lakes, welcoming both swimmers and non-swimmers.
Many lakes around Uersfeld provide excellent hiking opportunities. The Ulmener Maar features a circular route around its rim with breathtaking views. The Weinfelder Maar has a nearly two-kilometer-long path for scenic walks. For a unique experience, the Jungfer Pond offers a 3-kilometer loop trail and is connected to the Ulmener Maar via a 126-meter tunnel. You can find various running and cycling routes around these lakes, such as the 'Heilbachsee – Bergkrone Mine Tunnel loop from Uersfeld' for running or the 'Ulmener Maar Tunnel – Ulmener Maar loop from Gunderath' for cycling. More details on routes can be found in the Running Trails around Uersfeld and Cycling around Uersfeld guides.
Absolutely. The Heilbachsee is particularly family-friendly, offering swimming, an observation tower, and a play ship for children. The Gemündener Maar also caters to families with its outdoor pool and boat rentals. The Pulvermaar is another great option for families, providing a natural swimming pool suitable for all ages.
The lakes, especially the maars, offer unique natural features. The Ulmener Maar is notable as the youngest maar in the Eifel, with bubbles at its edge indicating still-active volcanism. The Mosbrucher Weiher is a silted-up maar that has transformed into an ancient moor, serving as a vital nature reserve for rare plants and animals. The Jungfer Pond is a renowned bird sanctuary, perfect for birdwatching.
Yes, the region combines natural beauty with historical significance. Near the Ulmener Maar, you can explore the ruins of a medieval castle, the Upper Castle of Ulmen, which offers beautiful views. The Weinfelder Maar is known for its melancholic atmosphere and features a small chapel dedicated to St. Martin on its northern bank, part of an ancient cemetery, adding to its historical charm.
Fishing is permitted in some lakes. For instance, you can fish for pike and carp in the Ulmener Maar. The Heilbachsee also offers fishing opportunities. For the Jungfer Pond, fishing permits are issued by the local municipal administration in Ulmen.
The lakes are beautiful year-round, but the best time depends on your preferred activities. Spring and autumn are ideal for hiking and nature observation, especially for birdwatching at the Jungfer Pond during migration periods. Summer is perfect for swimming and water sports at lakes like Heilbachsee, Gemündener Maar, and Pulvermaar. Winter offers opportunities for serene walks, and sometimes even ice skating on the Jungfer Pond when conditions allow.
The Maiden Pond (Jungferweiher) is noted as being wheelchair accessible, offering a pleasant circular walk around its quiet waters. This makes it a good option for visitors seeking easier access to nature.
The lakes, particularly the maars and nature reserves, are rich in wildlife. The Jungfer Pond is a significant bird sanctuary where you can observe many endangered species like snipe and meadow pipits, as well as migratory birds such as cranes and teals. The Mosbrucher Weiher, as an ancient moor and nature reserve, also provides a unique habitat for rare plants and animals.
Yes, the area around Uersfeld offers various cycling routes that pass by or around the lakes. For example, you can find routes like the 'Ulmener Maar Tunnel – Ulmener Maar loop from Gunderath' or the 'Jungferweiher – Ulmener Maar loop from Gunderath'. These are part of the broader cycling network in the region. More cycling options are available in the Cycling around Uersfeld guide.
While general hiking on marked trails does not typically require permits, specific activities like fishing do. For instance, fishing permits for the Jungfer Pond are issued by the local municipal administration in Ulmen. Swimming and water sports are prohibited in protected areas like the Ulmener Maar and Weinfelder Maar due to their status as nature and water protection areas.


Still not found your perfect lake around Uersfeld? Check out the guides of these regions to see even more beautiful places.