Scenic drives through the Eifel
The Eifel is the most popular driving region just across the German border: volcanic crater lakes, a national park full of water and forest, and the high peaks around the legendary Nürburgring. These are our 3 measured Eifel loops, each with its own character, all on quiet country and federal roads without a single metre of motorway. Drive them as they are, or let the planner build one from your own starting point.
Three measured scenic drives through the Eifel
High Eifel scenic drive: around the Hohe Acht and Nürburg
The high, volcanic Eifel around the Hohe Acht (747 m, the highest peak) and the legendary Nürburgring, past the castles of Nürburg and Virneburg and the half-timbered village of Monreal. Driving country at its best.
Volcanic Eifel scenic drive
The land of the maars: round crater lakes around Daun, the two castles of Manderscheid and the pale rocks of the Gerolstein Dolomites. In season you can swim in the maars.
Eifel National Park scenic drive
The green, water-rich Eifel: the half-timbered town of Monschau, the broad Rursee and the Eifel National Park at Vogelsang, up to the red sandstone castle of Nideggen. An hour from Aachen.
Generate your own Eifel loop from your own start
Type your start town (for example Daun) and we build a beautiful two-hour loop over back roads. Adjust everything afterwards: duration, start, vehicle.
Free, with a share link and export to GPX and Google Maps. A place name is enough; no need to share your location.
Why the Eifel is such good touring country
Little motorway, plenty of back road. The Eifel is an old volcanic upland with a dense network of quiet country and federal roads that snake over the ridges, exactly the kind of tarmac a scenic drive asks for. Every few kilometres the landscape changes: a crater lake, a castle, a half-timbered town, a wide panorama. And it is close: from Aachen or Maastricht you reach the heart of the Eifel in one to two hours, which makes it one of the finest day trips just across the border. Convertible, motorbike or camper: the winding, quiet Eifel roads are a joy to drive in all three.
Frequently asked questions
Which Eifel route suits me?
For the crater lakes, with a swim along the way, choose the Volcanic Eifel scenic drive. For the National Park, the water and the half-timbering of Monschau, take the Eifel National Park drive. For pure driving pleasure, the highest peak and the Nürburgring, the High Eifel scenic drive is your route. Together they cover the finest corners of the Eifel.
How far is the Eifel from the Netherlands and Belgium?
Close. From Aachen or Maastricht you reach the Northern Eifel (Monschau) in about an hour, and the Volcanic Eifel and the High Eifel (Nürburgring) in one and a half to two hours. That makes the Eifel one of the easiest day trips just across the German border.
Can you drive on the Nürburgring?
Our High Eifel route follows the public country and federal roads around the Nürburgring, with fine glimpses of the track and the castle. The race circuit itself is a separate, toll-based track; you arrange that separately with the Nürburgring.
Are the Eifel routes suitable for convertible, motorbike and camper?
Yes. The winding country and federal roads of the Eifel are ideal for convertible and motorbike; this is one of the best-known driving regions in Germany. By camper the routes work well too; mind the narrow half-timbered centres and park on the edge.
Are these routes free?
Yes. Viewing, generating from your own start, downloading the GPX and roadbook and sharing are free, with a small Touren.app credit. Plus adds ad-free and offline driving.