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Eifel National Park

Cologne & Northern Rhineland


Wild cats, beavers, kingfishers, bats and owls are just some of the critters you might spot in Eifel National Park, about 20km east of the border with Belgium. Established in 2004, it protects about 110 sq km of beech forest, rivers and lakes, and is filled with intriguing plants and wildlife. In spring, a sea of wild narcissus floods the valleys. The main visitors centre is located at Vogelsang, a castle built by the Nazis as a leadership training centre.

Additional information and exhibits can also be found at all the park gateways, including Simmerath-Rurberg, Schleiden-Gemünd, Heimbach, Monschau-Höfen and Nideggen.

To get to Vogelsang and the visitors centre by public transport, take the train to Kall and hop on the Nationalpark shuttle bus SB82 (23 minutes, €2.90). Alternatively, head to Simmerath for bus SB63 (25 minutes, €2.90).


Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¼´Ê±¿ª½±'s must-see attractions

Nearby Cologne & Northern Rhineland attractions

1. Vogelsang International Place

0.04 MILES

In the middle of the serene Eifel National Park looms a hulking modern castle with a dark history. Ordensburg Vogelsang was built by the Nazis as a party…

2. Botrange Nature Centre

16.65 MILES

A possible starting point for hikes, this impressive information centre 200m west of the Eupen–Bütenbach road has a big hooded fire hearth, a cafe serving…

3. Signal de Botrange

16.71 MILES

Signal de Botrange, 5km north of Ovifat, is Belgium’s highest point, though at 694m that's not saying much. From the road, the only eye-catching feature…

4. Château de Reinhardstein

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The very picturesque Château de Reinhardstein was built in 1354 and restored to archetypal fortress appearance in 1969. Entry is by 75-minute guided tours…

5. Parliament

17.99 MILES

Since 2013 the parliament for Belgium's German-speaking region has occupied a heavily refurbished former sanatorium building, originally dating from 1918…

6. Pfarrkirche Sankt Nikolaus

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The 1726 church of St Nicholas is Eupen's visual centrepiece, thanks to iconic twin spires with copper cladding that were added in an 1898 makeover. The…

7. IKOB

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It's worth checking the exhibition schedule to see what's showing at this forward-thinking little museum of contemporary art. It's tucked incongruously…

8. Suermondt Ludwig Museum

20.21 MILES

The Suermondt Ludwig Museum is especially proud of its medieval sculpture but also has fine works by Cranach, Dürer, Macke, Dix and other masters. An…