Volcano Park cycle path

Here in the eastern Eifel, the volcanic history of the earth shows its spectacular side. The backdrop of extinct volcanoes and maars, countless mineral and carbonic acid springs is the result of an ancient history – the battle of the elements. Today, the volcanoes are dormant. But on the Volcano Park Cycle Path, you can get up close to volcanism and experience 300,000 years of the earth’s history in fast motion. Where viscous magma poured into the Nette valley in large lava flows, you will find the Mayen mine field today. It lies on the edge of an ancient mining landscape. More than 7,000 years ago, people in the Eastern Eifel began to extract valuable stones from the cooled lava flows. The extracted basalt was used to make grain slices and millstones. Traces of quarrying from Roman times and the Middle Ages are still visible. Cranes, tracks and trolleys from the 20th century are silent witnesses to the past. Today, nature is reclaiming the high basalt walls. In late summer, the tunnel system of the Mayen mine field becomes a meeting place for thousands and thousands of bats. The lava cellar near Mendig, which can be reached via a signposted loop from the cycle path, shows how people knew how to use the underground tunnels and shafts created by basalt mining. 200 years ago, 29 different breweries stored their beers at a depth of 30 meters. The Vulkanbrauerei brewery still uses the deepest beer cellar in the world to store very special beers and offers guided tours of the Mendig underworld on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. The Rauscherpark, close to the Plaidt Volcano Park Experience Center, makes the work of master builder nature visible. For more than 200,000 years, the Nette has been persistently digging its way through a huge lava flow and pouring down in small cascades over mighty basalt boulders.

A cycle tour through the idyllic Eastern Eifel is an experience for body and senses! On the Vulkanpark cycle path, cyclists gain an insight into the past and the history of our planet’s origins.