Eifel National Park

Germany · Europe · Visited 18 October 2025 · Established 2004

I enjoyed this national park and visited it as a side quest during my week in Belgium, completing all six Belgian national parks alongside a seventh across the border. Seven parks in seven days — exactly the kind of efficiency this mission demands.

Eifel is a well-set-up park for visitors. The main base has a humungous car park, a restaurant, and a network of excellent trails for both hiking and cycling. I did a loop that took me across the Victor-Neels-Brücke, a suspension bridge over one of the park's river valleys, and the surrounding forest delivered some spectacular autumn colours.

Wildlife

The sky above the park was something else entirely. Thousands of migrating white storks were passing through in V-formations high overhead, one of those natural spectacles that makes you stop mid-stride and stare upward for a while.

Eifel is also one of Europe's most significant areas for the European lynx, one of the continent's most elusive predators. The chances of a sighting are slim, but knowing they're moving through these forests adds something to the experience. The harrowing sounds of rutting deer echoing through the trees were easier to find than the lynx.

History

Within the park there's a former Nazi camp with a vast and sobering history. It's worth taking the time to visit and read the information boards. These places matter, and their preservation within a national park ensures they're not forgotten.

Monschau

The base town of Monschau, right on the Belgian-German border, is well worth a stop before or after the park. It's a charming, half-timbered old town with great food, good drink, and a lively atmosphere that felt genuinely welcoming. A strong finish to a full week of national parks.

Who it's for

Eifel didn't blow me away, and I'll be honest about that. But it was a genuinely pleasant stop with enough variety, history, and wildlife to make it worthwhile. The autumn colours alone would justify the visit, and Monschau is a bonus that makes the trip feel complete. If you're doing the Belgian parks, adding Eifel is an easy decision.