Your quick guide to discovering the magic of Daun

Discover Daun – a volcanic mountain gem in the heart of the Eifel

…where crater lakes, deep geological history and vibrant wildlife come together in a single landscape.

---

1. The three volcanic lakes “Maare” – Gemündener, Schalkenmehrener, Weinfelder

These lakes go back to massive volcanic eruptions around 10,500 years ago. Today, they rest as tranquil waters surrounded by soft green hills.

• Weinfelder Maar (“Totenmaar”): wrapped in an aura of mystery, with a lonely little church beside the shore (tripadvisor.com, en.wikipedia.org).

• Schalkenmehrener Maar: famous for its double character – a combination of open lake and wetland habitat (en.wikipedia.org).

Walking around the Maare or swimming in Gemündener Maar is an experience that captivates both mind and soul (rlp-tourismus.com).

---

2. Long-distance hiking trails – Lieserpfad and Eifelsteig

The area around Daun is crossed by well-known long-distance routes that connect the volcanic landscapes:

• Eifelsteig (stages 10 and 11): running from Gerolstein via Daun, passing Maare, forests and rocky sections (gesundland-vulkaneifel.de).

• Lieserpfad: a somewhat lighter option, following the Lieser river and ideal for day hikes (tripadvisor.com).

Both trails immerse you in the very heart of the Volcanic Eifel.

---

3. Wild- & Erlebnispark Daun

A wildlife park that you explore mainly by car along a loop road through open enclosures and woodland.

You can encounter:

• rare species of deer

• kangaroos

• llamas

• birds of prey such as eagles

A visit takes around two hours and forms part of the German Wildlife Route (en.wikipedia.org) – a great outing for families and animal lovers.

---

4. Eifel-Vulkanmuseum – volcanoes up close

Located in the former district administration building, the Eifel-Vulkanmuseum serves as an interpretive and interactive centre:

• models and interactive displays on volcanism and plate tectonics

• simulations of volcanic eruptions

• clear explanations of how the Earth’s crust is shaped and reshaped over time

It speaks to the curiosity of anyone who wants to understand why the Volcanic Eifel – and Daun in particular – is such a unique geological region (en.wikipedia.org).

---

5. Cycling – the Maare-Mosel-Radweg

The Maare-Mosel Cycle Path links Daun with the Moselle and is one of the region’s most scenic routes:

• runs along former railway lines, over viaducts and through tunnels

• passes through forests, open countryside and small villages

• perfectly suited to leisure cyclists and long-distance riders alike

---

6. Exploring the surrounding nature

• Dreimühlen Waterfall: a small, rural waterfall – ideal for a short, charming walk.

• Numerous trails on platforms such as AllTrails and Komoot (17+ suggestions) offer options for hiking, jogging and gentle trail running in the Volcanic Eifel (komoot.com, alltrails.com).

---

Smart tips for a perfect trip

---

Conclusion

Daun is a unique destination that blends the beauty of volcanic Maare, gentle hills and forests, diverse hiking and cycling routes, and captivating wildlife.
It offers a scientific and yet deeply emotional encounter with nature – a calm, rural setting in Germany that leaves both a romantic and historical imprint on your memory.

---

The team of writers and editors on this website makes every effort to provide accurate information through extensive research and consultation of multiple sources when preparing articles. Nevertheless, errors may occur and some information may be incomplete or not yet fully confirmed. For this reason, please regard the information in these articles as an initial point of reference and always consult the relevant authorities and specialist institutions to obtain definitive and up-to-date information.