Hiking Trail recommended route

Traumpfad Vier-Berge-Tour

· 63 reviews · Hiking Trail · Eifel
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Traumpfade im Rhein-Mosel-Eifel-Land Verified partner  Explorers Choice 
  • Am Sulzbusch mit Blick auf den Vulkan Hochsimmer
    Am Sulzbusch mit Blick auf den Vulkan Hochsimmer
    Photo: Klaus-Peter Kappest, Traumpfade im Rhein-Mosel-Eifel-Land

Four mountains in one circular tour - idyllic valleys, tranquil forests and fantastic distant views. As a special treat there are rocks, ravines, caves, mighty tree giants, and even an ant path with its own bridge!!

difficult
Distance 12.9 km
4:45 h
504 m
504 m
533 m
325 m

Highlights at Traumpfad

  • Volcano Gänsehals Schmitzkopf Sulzbusch Hochstein with fantastic views over the volcanic Eifel Pellenz and the Neuwied basin
  • Idyllic Kellbach valley
  • Massive tuff walls in the rocky region “Rauhbuur“
  • impressive gorges in Marxe Lay
  • Erlenbrunnen spring and the legendary Genoveva Cave

Author’s recommendation

 

Aus Gründen der Verkehrssicherungspflicht schließt der Betreiber des Gänsehalsturms von Einsetzen der Frostperiode bis Ostern den Turm. Durch Kondensation kann sich Eis bilden und die Besucher könnten auf den glatten Stufen ausrutschen und sich verletzen. 

Profile picture of Nicole Pfeifer
Author
Nicole Pfeifer
Update: March 28, 2023
Premium route awarded the "Deutsches Wandersiegel"
Difficulty
difficult
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
533 m
Lowest point
325 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Track types

Show elevation profile

Rest stops

Vulkan Brauerei GmbH & Co. KG
Hotel-Restaurant Eifler Seehütte

Safety information

 In some passages surefootedness is required.

 

Safety guidance – stay safe whilst hiking on the Traumpfade/Traumpfädchen

Hikers like narrow pathways, unspoilt natural trails (leading over the forest floor, across the grass or alongside streams) and rocky climbs which lead to spectacular views. It goes without saying that particular care should be exercised when taking such routes.  

Things to bear in mind when preparing for your hike 

  • Wear proper clothing that is appropriate to the weather conditions and that will protect you against the cold and the wet or the heat and the sun.
  • Schedule suitable breaks during your hike and make sure that you conserve energy.
  • Take sufficient liquids with you. Establishments selling refreshments are not available everywhere.
  • When hiking on the Traumpfade, please wear appropriate hiking boots which provide a sufficient foothold on slippery, steep, rocky and uneven paths.
  • If you do not feel that you are able to negotiate certain parts of the route, then you should avoid such sections or else turn back. Natural pathways may become muddy and treacherous, especially in unfavourable weather.
  • In autumn in particular, please remember that leaves lying on the ground may be concealing bumps, routes, stones or holes in the path.
  • You will need to expect route impairments of this kind if you are intending to undertake a hike.
  • Before setting out, visit https://www.traumpfade.info/traumpfade/wege-status/ in order to find out whether the route you intend to hike is closed or whether diversions are in place. Construction works, timber felling or other disruptions may also be planned.
  • Recommended hiking season: April to October

Tips and hints

Tourist-Info Maria Laach, Tel.:  +49 (0)2636/19433, info@vulkanregion-laacher-see.de, www.vulkanregion-laacher-see.de

Projektbüro Traumpfade, Tel.: +49 (0)261/108419, info@traumpfade.info, www.traumpfade.info

 

Traumpfade-App

Traumpfade-App iOS: App  iTunes download

 Traumpfade-App Android: App Google play download

Start

56743 Mendig car park Erlenmühle (Ernteweg) (331 m)
Coordinates:
DD
50.378825, 7.232612
DMS
50°22'43.8"N 7°13'57.4"E
UTM
32U 374338 5582244
w3w 
///vowels.dabbling.booksellers

Destination

56743 Mendig car park Erlenmühle (Ernteweg)

Turn-by-turn directions

The access path goes from the carpark Erlen Mill in Mendig into the idyllic Kellbach valley. The Vier-Berge-Tour starts here after 700 m and goes upwards over the hill slope. Soon a detour is recommended into the rocky region “Rauhbuur” with massive tuff walls whose stones were used for a long time in the making of baking ovens.

After the car park Schweinsgraben on the L 82 the trail continues along natural forest paths. The second little bridge in the forest earns our attention – it serves to protect the ant path that crosses here! Further uphill an excursion is recommended to the impressive rocky gorges of Marxe-Lay. Shortly afterwards the path goes through wonderful mixed forest.

Just before the edge of the forest, in a sharp left turn, do not overlook the A-oak tree! The climb up the first mountain follows – the Gänsehals – the first glimpses of the Laacher Lake and the Neuwied basin call for a pause to catch one’s breath. A sleepy narrow pass runs uphill and then below the second mountain, the Schmitzkopf, with panoramic views. Reaching the forest again, the trail continues on soft paths uphill to mountain no. 3: Sulzbusch.

The descent leads initially through forests, then fields and meadows, and after crossing the L 82, it goes past refuge caves – the sandy caves. The ascent to the fourth mountain, the Hochstein, requires some degree if fitness. Having reached the top, the trail continues through the forest to the rock viewing point of the Hochstein. Some metres below the next attraction is waiting: the Genoveva Caves. After the descent through silent forest into the Kellbach valley, the acidulous waters of the Erlenbrunnen spring fountain at the starting point are refreshing.

Public transport

Destination stop: Ettringen, Roderhöfe (lateral entry to the Hochstein cave)

Line 390 RegioBus: Mayen - St. Johann - Bell - Niedermendig

Destination stop: Bell, Neustraße (approx. 1.5 km to the starting point)

Line 390 RegioBus: Mayen - St. Johann - Bell - Niedermendig

 https://www.vrminfo.de/

 

By road

A 61 Exit Mendig/Maria Laach - B262 towards Mayen - right towards Mendig/Bell/Obermendig - 200 meter left in Laacher Straße - first option right 300 meter to car park Erlenmühle - 56743 Mendig, car park Erlenmühle (Ernteweg)

Parking

56743 Mendig, car park Erlenmühle (Ernteweg)

56745 Bell, Gänsehals, hiker car park Gänsehals

56745 Bell, car park Schweinsgraben at L 82

Coordinates

DD
50.378825, 7.232612
DMS
50°22'43.8"N 7°13'57.4"E
UTM
32U 374338 5582244
w3w 
///vowels.dabbling.booksellers
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike

Book recommendation by the author

  • Traumpfade & Traumpfädchen Band  2: Die 19 besten Premium-Rundwanderungen in der Vordereifel, Ulrike Poller & Wolfgang Todt ISBN: 978-3-934342-61-3 
  • 27 Premium-Rundwege Traumpfade, Jubiläumsausgabe 10 Jahre Traumpfade,  Ulrike Poller & Wolfgang Todt, ISBN: 978-3-942779-43-2

Equipment

Surefootedness and a head for heights are required in some sections.

You should not embark upon the tours in icy conditions. 

Robust footwear is recommended!

Details of route closures can be found at: http://www.traumpfade.info/wegemanagement/

 

Related Events

Mendig
10/22, 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
Pre-registration required
Event Organizer: Eifelfan (Heinz Linz) | Source: Traumpfade im Rhein-Mosel-Eifel-Land

Questions and answers

Question from Guido Begon  · October 08, 2020 · Community
Wieso kann ich mir die Karte mit mehr Über GPS Track in meine Topo Karte exportieren
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Rating

4.6
(63)
Bubu Schleicher
September 05, 2023 · Community
Insgesamt recht schöner Weg, wobei das Wort Weg bewusst gewählt wurde, da auch hier, wie bei vielen sogen. Traumpfaden, der wirkliche Pfadabteil zu wünschen lässt. Der Weg ist recht anstrengend, was nicht negativ gemeint ist. Es gibt einige schöne Ausblicke, die uns u. a. da azu bewogen, 4 Sterne zu vergeben.
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Alexander Barth
June 26, 2023 · Community
Route done on February 27, 2018
Thomas Dammann
April 30, 2023 · Community
Ein sehr schöner abwechslungsreicher Weg mit tollen Aussichtspunkten. Mit 5 Stunden inklusive Pausen gut bemessen. Hat viel Spaß gemacht.
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Route done on April 30, 2023
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Photos from others

+ 215

Reviews
Difficulty
difficult
Distance
12.9 km
Duration
4:45 h
Ascent
504 m
Descent
504 m
Highest point
533 m
Lowest point
325 m
Circular route Scenic Geological highlights Flora Fauna

Weather at the route's trailhead

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