The best MTB trails around Kaifenheim

„Forests protect landscapes and secure natural resources,“ states the background paper for the 'German Forest Days'. What we hikers, besides the subjective feeling of well-being, have always appreciated about the forest as a natural space, the report further explains: „Forests stabilize the water balance, climate, and soils. Precisely these regulatory services have an impact not only on the surrounding landscapes but also economically. Agriculture, drinking water supply, infrastructure, tourism, and regional development – they all benefit from these services. Sustainable forestry ensures that they are permanently preserved.“

Has been closed for years, but a very nice spot for a short break

I like to take a path that runs along a stream. At the beginning of the section, there was hardly any water to be seen. Further down towards the valley, the ditch carried a good amount of water (April)

The Löwenburg castle above the half-timbered village of Monreal is a so-called spur castle and was first mentioned in a document in 1229. Count Hermann III of Virneburg is considered the builder of the Löwenburg. According to tradition, he is said to have built the complex on his brother Philipp's land after a partition agreement. The disputes that arose between the brothers were later settled, and Philipp ceded his rights to the region to his brother. Today, large parts of the Löwenburg are still preserved, giving a good impression of how stately the castle's former appearance must have been. Primarily, the remains of the 25-meter-high keep with its three-meter-thick walls are visible from afar. The high entrance to the imposing keep faces the valley and thus strategically advantageously, to the side facing away from the enemy. The castle tower is unfortunately currently closed and inaccessible. Source: https://www.eifel.info/pois/loewen-und-philippsburg

The Stellwerk, a wine tavern and restaurant, has been located in the old train station in Monreal since 1992. Here, hearty, freshly prepared dishes and regional as well as international wines are offered in a cozy atmosphere.

What can I say, a very beautiful bridge, especially with nice paths ☀️👍🏽

The remains of the ruins help us imagine the old walls.

A true paradise stretches out on the edge of the village of Ulmen on a plateau beneath the Steimelskopf, where a volcano once erupted with a tremendous bang, forming a deep crater with a maar lake, which now serves as a renowned bird sanctuary. The exact age of the Jungferweiher lake cannot be determined, but its morphological shape suggests it is several hundred thousand years old. In early modern times, the Lords of Ulmen used the lake as a fishpond for carp breeding, until it gradually silted up over time, and the residents of Ulmen harvested peat from the former maar for heating purposes. However, in 1942, the decision was made to flood the area again by damming the Ulmener Bach to secure the drinking water supply for the Cochem-Zell district. Today, the Jungferweiher lake, located at an altitude of 428 meters above sea level, covers an area of approximately 170,000 square meters with a depth of 0.8 meters. The pond, along with the Ulmener Maar, is protected for its rare flora and fauna. Many endangered species, such as the snipe and the meadow pipit, breed in the reed-rich banks, while ospreys have been observed hunting. Migratory birds such as cranes, teals, and great grey shrikes roost in the meadows near the Ulmener Jungferweiher every year. Therefore, a walk along the approximately 3-kilometer loop is a must, especially during the migration periods in spring and autumn. At the bird observatory on the western bank, you can observe the birds in their natural habitat. Nowadays, a wide variety of fish species thrive in the shallow waters of the Ulmener Weiher, which can be fished from a fishing pier on the southern bank. Swimming and other water sports are prohibited, however. Fishing permits are issued by the local municipal administration in Ulmen. Since 2023, the Ulmener Maar Tunnel has connected the Jungferweiher underground to the Ulmener Maar. A visit to the 126-metre-long tunnel is highly recommended!