Discover Simmerath: Rursee Lake, Eifel Views and Nature

Simmerath invites you to combine days by the water with hikes, bike rides and glimpses of the Eifel landscape. The different places and paths each have their own appeal: at Woffelsbacher Bay, the swimming area is directly in the lake; near Einruhr, the “Wolfshügel” Eifel viewpoint opens up a sweeping view. Rurberg and Strauch offer further points of reference for planning your outings.

Enjoying the water at Rursee Lake and in Einruhr

The swimming area at Woffelsbacher Bay is marked off with yellow swimming buoys. Swimming conditions may vary depending on the water level. If you are looking for a different kind of swimming experience, the Einruhr nature experience pool has a distinctive operating concept: it uses no chlorine or chemicals, and the water is biologically cleaned in a reed pond. These are two different swimming options, each with its own setting and approach.

Trails with different views

The 15.1-kilometre Panoramaweg starts at the village square in Simmerath-Strauch. It passes through typical Eifel farmland to the Michelshof wind farm. Along the way, panoramic views open up across the Eifel landscape, Rursee Lake and the Kermeter on the opposite shore. The 14.2-kilometre Rursee-Höhenweg starts at the Rurseezentrum in Simmerath-Rurberg. Its stated route is just under one kilometre shorter than the Panoramaweg, giving you a specific distance for planning either route.

For a bike ride, the 26-kilometre “Rund um den Rursee” route goes around the lake. The “Wolfshügel” Eifel viewpoint offers another way to take in the landscape from a particular vantage point: it lies 360 metres above Einruhr. From there, the distant view stretches over the village and across the Obersee to the Buhlert woodland. The Eifelsteig and the local Püngelbach circular hiking trail (No. 75) pass directly by the viewpoint.

National park experiences and visitor information

The Rurberg National Park Gate in Simmerath offers several ways to learn about the national park: the “Lifelines of Nature” exhibition, a digital terrain model and national park films provide different perspectives. The gate is also the starting point for free guided walks in the Kermeter forests. As schedules may change, check the dates before making plans.

After a hike or bike ride, the hiking rest stop at the Heilsteinhaus in Einruhr is a place to relax and have a picnic. The Einruhr National Park Information Point is located at the same site and provides information about activities in the Eifel National Park Experience Region. This brings a place to rest and a source of visitor information together at one named location.

Insights into Eifel history

The farmers’ museum in Lammersdorf explores life in the Eifel around the turn of the century. Bookable guided tours and workshops are available for visitors, including “From Grain to Bread.” If you have a particular workshop in mind, confirm its availability before your trip. The museum visit complements the nature and tour offerings with a glimpse into the region’s everyday history.

The Aachen City Region as a broader context

Beyond Simmerath, the Aachen City Region is another point of reference for planning your trip. It lies in the three-country border area, in Germany’s far west and close to the Netherlands and Belgium. Its broader appeal comes from varied natural landscapes, historic town centres, and cycling and hiking infrastructure. This regional diversity provides a wider context; the swimming, hiking and visitor destinations described here are the specific starting points for planning your time in Simmerath.

When choosing accommodation, you can first consider which experiences you want to shape your stay: time by the water, viewpoints and hiking trails, a bike ride or a museum visit. This way, your search is guided by your planned activities rather than combining everything into a single route.

Discover more places: Einruhr, Steckenborn, Kesternich, Woffelsbach, Dedenborn.

Discover more destinations: Eschweiler, Lammersdorf, Stolberg.

Return to the main travel overview: Aachen.