Gemünd: Out into the wilderness!

The Ordensburg Vogelsang IP, centre of the Eifel National Park. Picture: Roman Hövel

The Eifel National Park is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Although the protected area is still considered a „developing national park“, you can already experience forest, water and wilderness there and, with luck, discover one or two rare inhabitants. The perfect starting point for this is the Gemünd Vogelsang Youth Hostel. The hotel, which opened in 2020, is located right on the edge of the nature reserve. It is bright, chic, modern and offers favourable specials for families. With the 3 or 5 days family time out you get a short holiday for max. 2 adults and max. 3 children up to 17 years including breakfast at a fixed family price of 229 euros or 459 euros. Until 23 June 2024, you can even book a win a short family break at Gemünd Vogelsang Youth Hostel!

Nature, animals and history

The hiking trails in the Eifel National Park, such as the Wilderness Trail, start right on the youth hostel's doorstep. At the National Park Info Point in Gemünd you can find information about the various hiking routes. Various themed hikes and circular tours are suitable for families. One of them leads along the shores of Lake Urft to the former Nazi Ordensburg Vogelsang. Built as a training centre for the next generation of NSDAP leaders Vogelsang IP today a modern extracurricular learning and cultural venue. A visit to the exhibition „Wilderness(t)spaces“. The interactive exhibition on 2,000 square metres encourages visitors to understand and rethink. For older children, the exhibition „Destination: Man of men“, which deals with the history of the three former Nazi order castles. From Vogelsang you also have a great view of the Urft dam, the oldest dam in the Eifel. The view is even more beautiful from the „Eifel View“ directly on the Urft dam wall. From here you can enjoy a unique panoramic view over the Urftsee and Obersee. As the Urftsee cannot be reached directly by car, the car park on Vogelsang, which is subject to a charge, is also used by many visitors as a starting point for a hike along the Urft dam. If you prefer a more comfortable option, you can also visit the dam wall as part of a Rursee boat trip from Einruhr or Rurberg. In summery temperatures you can enjoy four Natural bathing spots on the Rursee refresh. Also Canoes, kayaks, SUP boards and sailing boats are available for hire.

Hikes with wheelchair and pushchair

There are several barrier-free hiking trails in the Eifel that are specially designed for people with limited mobility, wheelchair users and families with pushchairs. A hike along the „Wild Kermeter“ is particularly beautiful. Here you will find the barrier-free nature discovery trail „The wild way“: Ten mostly interactive stations provide information about wilderness, forest development and biodiversity in the Eifel National Park. A wooden walkway through the forest wilderness provides special insights into nature. Various climbing and balancing options are a highlight for children.

Further leisure activities:

• Gemünd outdoor poolThe Rosenbad Gemünd, which owes its name to the magnificent rose bushes on the grounds, is just a few minutes' walk from the youth hostel. Here you can splash around, play beach volleyball, relax and of course swim. A new attraction for children is the mud area.
• Kommern Open-Air MuseumIn the Kommern Open-Air Museum, you will explore how people used to live and work in the Rhineland. You will pass through various building groups and meet actors and actresses who slip into different roles and visualise former occupations. Animals are also at home in the open-air museum, e.g. the Ardennes cold-blooded horse, the domestic donkey, the white German goat, geese and chickens.
• Hellenthal game reserveHere you will encounter various native wild animals such as fallow deer, foxes, roe deer, raccoons and wild boar. Highlights for children are of course the petting zoo and the large playground with picnic facilities. Don't miss the birds of prey flight show, which takes place several times a day.

Our tip: The new sports park in Schleiden

Since the beginning of the year, the town of Schleiden has had a new sports park where you can certainly spend several hours. In addition to a football pitch, a basketball court and a 400-metre running track, there is fitness equipment, a table tennis table and a boules court for those who prefer things a little quieter. Mountain bikers can also look forward to a dirt track with steep bends and rapid descents. For daredevils, there are two trampolines, climbing cubes, a slackline and ninja warrior equipment. Fall protection mats ensure safety in the event of falls at certain points.

Favourable offers for families

At Gemünd Vogelsang Youth Hostel, families can stay overnight at fair prices thanks to various offers. In addition to the 3 and 5-day family breaks, the hostel also offers you Various offers with programme. With the weekend package „Wilderness areas in the Eifel National Park“ includes admission to the exhibition of the same name at Vogelsang. The leisure time „Bat ahead“ will revolve around the only mammal that can actively fly with its own hands for two weekends in 2024. During the autumn holidays, it's now a week-long „Hiking & adventure in the national park“: While some lace up their hiking boots and explore the national park on foot, others build zip lines, scale the indoor climbing wall, practise archery and let off steam in the ninja parkour.

You are more? Groups are also welcome

Family and leisure groups can enjoy a variety of activities at the youth hostel. Weekend programmes book. These include, for example, the new indoor climbing wall or the Nature & Adventure Trail. But groups are also welcome without a programme: During the NRW holidays, groups of 10 or more people with a minimum stay of 4 nights even receive a 15% discount on the regular prices for accommodation and meals.