Rurberg: Rursee, Nature Swimming Area and National Park

Rurberg is situated right on the Rursee and the Rur Dam in Eifel National Park. Hiking, water sports, cycling and motorcycle tours are among the ways to spend your holiday. If you enjoy spending time by the water, the Eiserbachsee natural swimming area is a specific place to go swimming; the Rursee Höhenweg trail focuses on views across the lake.

Time on the water at the Rursee

The Eiserbachsee natural swimming area at the Rurseezentrum Rurberg offers a freely accessible sunbathing lawn, a sandy area with shallow water, a playground, a beach volleyball court and a football pitch. An accessible toilet is available. Admission is free, and parking is subject to a fee. Swimming is at your own risk; lifeguard supervision is seasonal and is not provided at all times.

The natural outdoor swimming area at the Rurseezentrum in Simmerath-Rurberg includes a sandy beach and a shallow-water zone for children. This feature, specifically designed for children, may be a consideration when planning a family swimming day. Practical information about the sunbathing lawn, admission and toilet facilities can also help you assess the various options on site.

Hiking trails and views

The 14.2-kilometre Rursee Höhenweg trail starts at the Rurseezentrum in Simmerath-Rurberg and offers views across the Rursee. You can consider the starting point, route length and lake views together when planning a hike in addition to time by the water. In the wider Simmerath destination, the 15.1-kilometre Panoramaweg trail also leads from the village square in Simmerath-Strauch through the typical Eifel farmland to the Michelshof wind farm. Along the way, panoramic views open up over the Eifel landscape, the Rursee and the Kermeter on the opposite shore.

Another viewpoint in the Simmerath destination is the Eifel-Blick “Wolfshügel”: It lies 360 metres above Einruhr and offers long-distance views over the village and the Obersee to the Buhlert woodland. The Eifelsteig and the local Püngelbach circular trail (No. 75) pass directly by the viewpoint. These two routes provide a clear guide if you would like to combine your hike with a visit to Wolfshügel.

National Park experiences and visitor information

The Rurberg National Park Gate features the “Lifelines of Nature” exhibition. The visitor centre in Simmerath also has a digital terrain model of the National Park and National Park films. Every Saturday at 11 a.m., a free ranger-led tour into the Kermeter forests starts at the National Park Gate. As schedules can change, it is advisable to check the latest timetable before your visit.

Other places in the Simmerath destination also offer different ways to discover nature and the region. In Woffelsbach Bay, the swimming area is directly in the lake and marked off by yellow swim buoys; swimming conditions may vary with the water level. The Einruhr natural swimming pool uses no chlorine or chemicals. The water is biologically treated in a reed pond.

After a hike or cycle ride, the hiking rest station at the Heilsteinhaus in Einruhr offers hikers a place to relax and have a picnic. The Einruhr National Park information point is also located here and provides information about activities in the Eifel National Park adventure region. Guided tours and workshops can be booked at the Lammersdorf Farm Museum, including a workshop on the journey from grain to bread. If you are planning a particular activity, check its availability before your trip.

In Rurberg itself, the cemetery is accessible around the clock. The different places and activities in the Simmerath destination each offer a different focus, from swimming, viewpoints and hiking trails to guided tours and workshops. This lets you choose which experiences matter most to you during your stay.

Discover more destinations: Stolberg, Simmerath, Würselen, Aachen, Monschau, Hahn, Lammersdorf, Herzogenrath.

Return to the main travel overview: Aachen.