Magnificent landscapes with stunning views amid fairytale nature reserves

The ‘Münstereifel Climb’ Eifel Trail offers an array of impressive viewpoints with stunning Eifel panoramas – in every direction. In good conditions, you can see beyond Schönau and Mahlberg as far as even Cologne and Bonn.

On the Münstereifel Climb, you’ll discover magnificent countryside in the Bülgesbach and Bad Münstereifel forest nature reserves, passing colourful and sweetly scented meadows and fresh and airy woodland.

The 21-kilometre circular trail begins at the Bodenbachtal car park. Along the way, you’ll see plenty of herons in the local fishing lakes they call home. Heading up the mountain through the Bad Münstereifel forest, you’ll encounter a variety of bird and bat species. The beech woods are the perfect place for a variety of species to thrive and with a little luck you might be able to glimpse a kingfisher or red kite here or there. Wildcats and lynxes can even be found prowling the forest. Keep your eyes open so you don’t miss any thrilling encounters.

Enjoy the stunning view from the summit over a picnic before heading on up to Michelsberg, which is 568 metres above sea level and literally forms the apex of the trail with its St. Michael pilgrims’ church. The mountain was an important religious site in the era of the Celts, Romans and Teutons. With the arrival of Christianity in Eifel, it was named after the archangel Michael. The Roman Catholic church is a listed building and was erected circa 1500. It's been a destination for many pilgrims since time immemorial. The wooded basalt hilltop Michelsberg is the highest point in the area of Bad Münstereifel. Here, you’ll find a stunning view that's an absolute must-see.

From Michelsberg, the route heads steeply upwards towards Wasserscheide. From there, you’ll hike through the Mahlberger and Schönauer Wald woodlands and the tranquil little village of Schönau with its half-timbered houses, until you finally reach the Bülgesbach nature reserve. Here, you can glimpse the rare marsh violet. The Münstereifel Climb passes two nature reserves here with primeval forest plots where the woods have been left to themselves. This is some of the most unspoilt nature you’ll find in the area.

Then you’ll continue on via Bergrath to Eicherscheid to the wildlife protection tower, an old telegraph hut with nests for birds. Finally, the route returns to the car park in Bodenbachtal.

There are places to stop for refreshment at Wasserscheide or in Schönau and Eicherscheid.