The Eifelsteig experience loop Meulenwald route connects beautiful forest sections in the Meulenwald with the tranquil valleys of Bendersbach, Gumbach, Gladbach, and Salm. Starting and ending in Dreis with an overnight stay, the route is ideal as a short hiking getaway. The Meulenwald route impresses with extraordinary natural phenomena. It goes through the Forest of the Year 2012 past the vigorously gushing mineral springs Victoria and Sulfur spring. With two daily stages of 17 km each and an overnight stay, the motto of the Eifelsteig "Where Rock and Water accompany you" becomes an experience for all senses. The connecting path via Heidweiler offers a good option to hike the Meulenwald route in 2 days over two attractive circular routes.
The 34 km long Meulenwald route is continuously marked as an Eifelsteig experience loop. The hike is recommended over 2 days with an overnight stay in Wittlich city & countryside. Important note: The lookout tower on the Kellerberg near Dierscheid is currently closed!
Travel times and prices: www.vrt-info.de
The Meulenwald route is signposted from the Salm bridge in Dreis. The route starts here and initially follows the Karl-Kaufmann path along the country road / L43 to the sports center. It goes steadily uphill and after around 2 kilometers the route joins the lightly trafficked country road / L43 again. Along the road the Meulenwald route leads with some beautiful views to the lovingly designed village center of Dodenburg. Here the route turns left and leads steeply downhill into the Bendersbach valley. The lively little stream is crossed, then it goes uphill again, past the parish church "Zum heiligen Kreuz" to the village center of Heckenmünster. At the intersection the Meulenwald route leads along the "Hauptstraße" / K41 past lovingly designed front gardens and the village fountain with informative display panels about the former Roman spring sanctuary. At the edge of the village it turns right, initially along the forest edge, then steadily uphill through the forest until after around 6.4 km the route reaches the Karl-Kaufmann path. Together with the signage of the Eifelverein long-distance trail it turns right and goes deeper into the dense Meulenwald. Just 700 meters further the Victoria spring is reached. The strongly CO2-rich water bubbles here both in the nicely constructed spring and next to the shelter directly from the ground. From the Victoria spring the route continues until a few meters further a wooden sign points the way right to the Sulfur spring. A few meters further the route joins the original path again, it goes left along the paved forest road through wonderful high forest. Over a narrow forest path it leaves the forest, crossing the country road / L49. For a hearty stopover a detour into the village is recommended; the Kaffeescheune Berggeist the "Eifel Alm" is a real insider tip. The Meulenwald route leads from the hiking parking lot along the forest edge to the left, passes fields and meadows and soon reaches Naurath. It continues through the forest, over soft forest paths a little further along the military area and the district road / K38, until the Meulenwald route meets the Eifelsteig at the intersection with the country road / L24 shortly before Zemmer. With the Eifelsteig the route turns right and continues along the edge of the village. The country road / L24 is crossed, and over natural forest paths the Meulenwald route reaches the lovingly designed rest area "Steinesse Bärchen" in the spring area of the Gumbach. Along the bubbling Gumbach it continues to the pretty Eifel village Greverath. At the height of the guesthouse Zum Weißenstein the Meulenwald route crosses the country road / L49 and leads uphill over beautiful field paths to the forest. Through the forest it goes down to Gladbach. Along Peter-Mergen-Straße the small Eifel village is crossed, at the guesthouse Kronauer hikers find the opportunity to stop and stay overnight. At the village exit the Meulenwald route turns right after the last house and reaches a narrow forest path over a wooden footbridge, which sometimes winds its way alongside the babbling Gladbach into the Salm valley. At the junction with the Karl-Kaufmann path the Meulenwald route leaves the Eifelsteig and follows the Salm to the right back to Dreis to the start at the Salm bridge.
Hiking on the Eifelsteig and the Meulenwald route is characterized by trails over natural paths, which naturally become slippery in rainy weather. We recommend hiking boots with a good tread and trekking poles that provide safety on downhill sections.
Backpack with sufficient drinks and first aid kit for blisters and small injuries, trekking poles and good hiking boots.
The Meulenwald route is predestined for weekend hiking. The connecting path via Heidweiler allows relaxed Eifelsteig hiking without changing accommodations.
