Blick auf das Weinfelder Maar, © Eifel Tourismus GmbH

The Eifel maars

The water-filled maars are the symbol of the volcanic Eifel. But what is actually a maar?

The term “maar” is taken from the Latin “mare” (sea) and is used to describe the funnel-shaped volcano type created from water vapour eruptions which have “exploded into” the landscape and which outwardly often takes on a key-like shape.
During the initial creation phase of a maar, rising magma meets aquiferous stone layers which leads to massive explosions. The surrounding stone, together with the magma, is shattered into tiny fragments and is hurled out of the explosion funnel.
In the area at the centre of the explosion, a hollow chamber is formed which overflows out of an explosion vent. Due to the fact that the stone formed over the hollow chamber breaks down, the explosion vent becomes a collapsed or maar funnel. After the volcanic activity has died down, the funnel fills with water.
Overall, over 70 maar volcanoes have been counted. Ten maars are still filled with water today, while the others have already silted over.

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Gemündener Maar

The Gemünden maar is lined up along a fissure running SE to NW. About 20,000 to 30,000 years ago they erupted and Gemünden Maar lake was formed.

Schalkenmehrener Maar

Especially if you visit the GesundLand Vulkaneifel in summer, a detour to the Schalkenmehren Maar is a must. Located directly at the village of the same name and opposite the Weinfelder Maar, the Schalkenmehrener Maar is one of the three Dauner Maars and offers a wonderful backdrop for an extended walk or an extensive hike. If you look closely, you can see that the Schalkenmehren Maar was once a double maar, formed by volcanic activity around 20,000 to 30,000 years ago. But the tuffs of the western maar filled up the eastern maar funnel, so that nothing can be seen of the second maar today, except for the fen vegetation that has spread in this area. Take a little discovery tour and observe numerous animal and plant species along the way!

Weinfelder Maar

also called Totenmaar [maar of the dead] The Weinfelder Maar is considered the "symbol of the Eifel melancholy". Gentle slopes, on which the Eifel gold - popularly known as "Besenginster"grows and shines in early summer, around the mostly turquoise shimmering water.

Meerfelder Maar

The view from the lookout tower “Landesblick” is impressive: The Maar lake glistens around 200 metres below, gently embedded in the largest Maar funnel in the Eifel. However, only part of the 1,700 metres long basin is covered with water.

Pulvermaar

Discover the unfathomable depths of the Pulvermaar! Located directly near Gillenfeld, the Pulvermaar is the deepest maar in the Eifel at 74 metres. It is surrounded by beautiful beech forest and in summer is a popular address for all those who want to swim or go boating in the midst of beautiful nature.

Immerather Maar

the hidden maar

Jungfernweiher von oben, © GesundLand Vulkaneifel/D. Ketz

Jungferweiher

The Jungferweiher, a re-flooded dry maar located north of the Ulmener Maar, is known for its richness in migratory birds and serves as a source of drinking water for the Cochem-Zell district.

Ulmener Maar

At around 11,000 years old, the Ulmener Maar is the youngest Eifel maar.

ET-2019-371-Vulcanpfad, Eichholzmaar, © Eifel Tourismus GmbH, Dominik Ketz

Eichholzmaar Steffeln

Idyllically located between the two Eifel towns of Steffeln and Duppach on the volcanic path and the "Vulkane, Maare & Dreese" circular trail, the Eichholzmaar with a diameter of approx. 120 m and a maximum depth of 3 m is the smallest and northernmost water-filled Maar of the Eifel.

Holzmaar

best researched worldwide

Trautzberger Maar

Waterlogging of the dried up maar lake led to its present state.

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