Walking with rangers
Eight ranger tours per week
There is an opportunity to explore that Eifel National Park with a ranger almost every day.
You can recognize the rangers by their green uniforms and the big mounty hats. There are eight regular, free of charge ranger tours each week.
All you need to do is arrive at the starting points at the respective times. Some tours are suitable for young children and strollers. Below you find information about starting times and points.
I already roamed through these woods as a child, later I earned my living as a forester and today I am a ranger in the National Park and I have the opportunity share my knowledge and stories with our visitors. That is a gift!
Ralf Hilger
Ranger in the Eifel National Park
1. Wahlerscheid ranger tour
meeting point: Tuesdays at 14.00 at the Wahlerscheid parking lot along the B 258 from Schleiden toward Monschau. Turn left 200m behind the junction L 245 toward Malmedy. This hike is approx. 3 hours long and mostly flat, suitable for children and strollers.
2. Erkensruhr ranger tour
meeting point: Wednesdays at 14.00 at the Mariawald Abbey parking lot by the ranger on the L 245 near Heimbach. This hike is approx. three hours long and is suitable for more experienced hikers and all-terrain strollers.
3. Erkensruhr ranger tour
meeting point: Fridays at 11.00 at the Simmerath- Erkensruhr play ground. This hike is approx. 4-5 hours long and of medium difficulty.
4. Monastery ranger tour
meeting point: Fridays at 11.15 at the National Park Gate train station in Heimbach. This challenging hike is 9km long (approx. 5 hours) and suitable for experienced hikers.
5. Gemünd ranger tour
meeting point: Saturdays at 11.00 at the National Park Gate in Gemünd, Kurhausstraße 6. This hike is approx. 3 hours long and difficult.
6. Rurberg ranger tour
meeting point: Saturdays at 11.00 at the Rurberg National Park Gate, Eiserbachdamm in Simmerath- Rurberg. This hike is approx. 4 hours long and of medium difficulty.
7. Wild Kermeter ranger tour
meeting point: Sundays at 13.00 at the Kermeter rest area at Kermeterhöhenstrasse (L15) near the junction L 15 / old K7 - between Heimbach- Schwammenauel and Wolfgarten. This hike is approx. 5km long and suitable for children, strollers, and seniors alike.
8. Vogelsang-Wollseifen ranger tour
meeting point: Sundays at 13.00 at the ranger hat on the Alderhof. This hike is approx. 3 hours long (6.5km) and of medium difficulty with one steep incline. This hike is suitable for children and all-terrain strollers.
Additional ranger tour on a boat
From April to October, people with and without limited mobility have the option to expe-rience the Eifel National Park with a ranger from the water. The fee-based tours take place every first and third Monday of the month and starting point is the boat pier Schwammenauel in Heimbach. Depending on the season the tours start at 14.00 or 15.00. Registrations for individuals are generally not required. Larger groups are kindly asked to register with the Rurseeschifffahrt GmbH, phone: 02446.479