Best lakes near Auderath are primarily volcanic maars, characteristic of the Eifel region's unique geological landscape. These natural formations offer diverse outdoor experiences, from tranquil walks to opportunities for swimming. The area around Auderath provides access to several well-preserved maars, each with distinct features and surrounding environments. Visitors can explore these natural bodies of water, which are often encircled by hiking trails and offer scenic viewpoints.
Last updated: June 17, 2026
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The Ulmen Maar lies 420 meters above sea level today, covers an area of 5.5 hectares, and is 36 meters deep. The bubbles at the maar's edge demonstrate that volcanism is still active. They bear witness to a turbulent past—but rest assured, there's no eruption in sight! A wall of various rocks and ash, up to 20 meters thick, surrounds the cone. For those interested, these testimonies to this explosive past are beautifully displayed in St. Matthias Church. This unique wall, with its different colored layers and rounded inclusions, is worth seeing for more than just geologists. The slopes of the maar basin are covered with a beautiful forest, which can be explored on a circular walk. A detour to the medieval castle ruins, from which the Crusaders once launched their campaigns, is recommended. The view from the crater rim over the maar and the Eifel beyond will take your breath away. Whether after a sweaty hike or a long drive, the blue of the Ulmer Eifel lake is all too tempting in summer. However, bathing in the maar is prohibited because it is designated as a nature and water protection area.
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The lower castle has completely disappeared. You can still see the beginning of the ring that connected the lower castle and the Ulmen city wall, a two-story outer wall of the palace, as well as a cistern and some foundation walls of other buildings. The old part of Ulmen Castle was built around 1074 AD and likely rests on the remains of a Roman settlement. In the Middle Ages, Ulmen Castle was further expanded and divided into the upper castle, whose remains of the walls still exist, and the lower castle, which extended to the banks of the maar river. Two knightly families lived in the castle, which is believed to have never been attacked or destroyed until 1673 due to its size. Only the Sun King's troops succeeded. It was rebuilt, but fell again in 1689 during the War of the Succession. However, Ulmen Castle was also rebuilt this time, with only the city wall being abandoned. With the invasion of Napoleon's soldiers, Ulmen also became French and later Prussian. The empty castle, whose last descendant died in 1801, was auctioned to a merchant from Cochem, who sold it as a quarry. When a devastating fire burned Ulmen to the ground in the 19th century, the residents of Ulmen rebuilt their houses with stones from the castle. That's why you can still see a coat of arms on some of the stables today. It wasn't until the early twentieth century that Ulmen Castle was declared a listed building and became the property of the municipality of Ulmen. The castle is always freely accessible.
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The Ulmener Maar is small but beautiful. Located in the middle of the Eifel and in the middle of the city, it is a wonderful destination. You can easily combine a walk around the maar with a walk around the neighboring Jungferweiher. Both have recently been connected by the Ulmener Maar tunnel, which runs under the A 48 motorway.
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The tour around the Schalkenmehrener Maar is wonderful.
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A visit is worthwhile both in summer and in winter. However, the Ulmener Maar is a nature reserve, which is why bathing is strictly forbidden here!
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The Pulvermaar in the Vulkaneifel southeast of Daun is a water-filled maar whose almost circular lake is, despite its small area of around 38.48 hectares, one of the deepest in Germany at 72 meters. Like the smaller Holzmaar, it is part of the Gillenfelder Maaren. Beautiful hiking trails and nature.
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The Pulvermaar in the Vulkaneifel southeast of Daun in Rhineland-Palatinate is a water-filled, almost circular maar lake and, despite its small area of around 38.48 hectares, is one of the deepest lakes in Germany at 72 meters. Like the Holzmaar, it belongs to the Gillenfelder Maaren. The Pulvermaar is one of the ten deepest lakes in Germany, only Lake Constance and a few Bavarian lakes (Königssee, Walchensee, Starnberger See and Ammersee) are significantly deeper. The original depth of the funnel created by the phreatomagmatic explosion is estimated to be around 200 m, with a surrounding wall of ejected material approximately 50 m high.
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Circular in shape, deep blue water and unfathomably deep, that is the Pulvermaar near Gillenfeld. It is one of the best known and most popular maars because you can go swimming here in summer. Slide, diving tower and children's pool ensure summer bathing fun. Or you can rent one of the rowing boats and do laps across the calm waters It was created around 23,000 years ago by volcanic activity. With a water depth of around 74 meters, it is the deepest maar in the Eifel and is particularly impressive due to its almost circular funnel completely filled with water - one of the "eyes of the Eifel"
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Several lakes around Auderath are family-friendly. Pulvermaar offers a circular route of about 2.5 kilometers that is easy to manage with children. Maiden Pond also has a pleasant circular walk with benches for resting, ideal for a relaxed family outing. The Ulmener Maar and Immerath Maar are also noted as family-friendly destinations.
Yes, Maiden Pond is specifically noted for being wheelchair accessible, offering a circular route and benches for visitors to enjoy the tranquil surroundings.
The lakes offer a variety of hiking experiences. Pulvermaar has a wooded circular route that is easy to hike even in midsummer. Immerath Maar, a declared nature reserve, features scenic hiking trails around its basin and to nearby mills. For more options, you can explore various routes in the region, including an easy 4 km loop from Auderath, by visiting the Hiking around Auderath guide.
Yes, Pulvermaar offers great swimming opportunities at its bathing station during the summer months.
The lakes around Auderath are primarily volcanic maars, which are natural formations created in ancient volcanic craters. This makes them characteristic of the Eifel region's unique geological landscape. The Ulmener Maar, for instance, is considered one of the youngest Eifel maars, formed after the eruption of the Laacher See volcano, and is surrounded by a wall of tuff rock.
Yes, near the Ulmener Maar, you can find the ruins of a knight's castle from the 11th century on the southern edge of its crater wall. The Upper Castle of Ulmen offers beautiful views and is a significant historical landmark in the area.
Beyond hiking, the area around Auderath offers excellent opportunities for cycling. You can find numerous routes for road cycling, such as the 'Ulmener Maar – Maiden Pond loop from Auderath', by checking the Road Cycling Routes around Auderath guide. There are also options for gravel biking, with routes like the 'Ulmener Maar – Ulmener Maar Tunnel loop from Gunderath', detailed in the Gravel biking around Auderath guide.
The lakes are enjoyable throughout the year. For hiking, the wooded trails around Pulvermaar are comfortable even in midsummer. Autumn offers beautiful scenery, and winter hiking is also possible, though conditions may vary. Summer is ideal for swimming at Pulvermaar.
Immerath Maar is often less crowded than other popular spots like Pulvermaar, partly because there isn't a car park in its immediate vicinity, encouraging visitors to arrive on foot. It's a very scenic and tranquil nature reserve.
The lakes are set within diverse natural environments. Immerath Maar is a declared nature reserve, featuring scenic landscapes and flower meadows. The Jungferweiher, a silted-up maar near Ulmener Maar, is now a bird sanctuary where rare and endangered birds can be observed, making it a great spot for birdwatching.
Yes, for example, at Pulvermaar, you can find refreshing drinks available, especially convenient after a swim or a hike around the lake.
Visitors highly appreciate the tranquil and scenic beauty of the maars. The circular routes, like those at Maiden Pond and Pulvermaar, are popular for their relaxing atmosphere and ease of access. The unique geological formations and the opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking and swimming are also frequently highlighted.


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