Discover Sailing, Hiking and Nature in Woffelsbach on the Rursee

Woffelsbach combines an internationally renowned, challenging sailing area on the Rursee with a landing stage for Rursee boat trips and Woffelsbach Bay. On hot summer days, the bay is highlighted as a swimming spot. A boat trip across the lake can be combined with a hike before or afterwards.

Water Activities at Woffelsbach Bay

The swimming area is directly in the lake and marked off with yellow swimming buoys. Swimming conditions and safety measures may vary seasonally. At NaBeDi Camp in Woffelsbach Bay, you can hire Canadian canoes, kayaks, SUPs and pedal boats; this service is seasonal. So check whether your preferred boat rental is available before making plans.

A boat trip is another option here: the Rurseeschifffahrt’s fleet calls at Woffelsbach. The landing stage can be used as a starting point for a trip across the Rursee. If you’d like to combine the boat trip with some exercise on land, you can plan a hike before or afterwards. Checking the timetable can help you plan your day.

Hiking Between the Village and Stream Valleys

The 15.2-kilometre 5-Bäche-Tour starts in Simmerath-Woffelsbach and passes through idyllic stream valleys. Highlights include the Wendelinus Chapel, Wolfsbrunnen, the Michelshof wind farm and Woffelsbach Bay. The route passes through an unspoilt landscape protected for its rare animal and plant species, with streams, stream meadows and riparian woodlands.

For a shorter loop, try the Woffelsbach Village Walk: it is about 2.2 kilometres long and takes around an hour. The two different lengths give you two options for planning your day, without needing to estimate a walking time for the 5-Bäche-Tour from its distance. At Wendelinus Chapel, you can also connect your outing with a piece of local history: it was built in 1911 as a branch church of the parish of Rurberg.

Nature, History and Lakeside Breaks

The Schilsbachtal nature reserve is close to Woffelsbach. The 140-hectare area includes wooded slopes descending towards the Rurtalsperre northeast of Woffelsbach, as well as springs, natural stream sections, wet and damp grassland, riparian woodlands and natural rock formations. It helps preserve habitats for endangered plant and animal species and safeguard the otter’s range.

Right by the lake, the lakeside platform is a place to rest during a hike or bike ride. The orchards in the landscape around Woffelsbach also tell of a long tradition of fruit growing: cherries and plums thrived especially well in the sheltered valley; wine was grown there too. The Wendelinus fair is another local tradition and one of the highlights of Woffelsbach’s events calendar.

More to Explore in the Simmerath Destination

There are also other points of interest elsewhere in the Simmerath destination. The Rurberg National Park Gate features the “Lifelines of Nature” exhibition, a digital terrain model of the national park and national park films. It is also a starting point for free guided tours into the Kermeter forests; check the dates before visiting.

At Einruhr Nature Experience Pool, chlorine and chemicals are avoided entirely; the used water is biologically treated in a reed pond. These different attractions can broaden your travel plans: first decide whether you want to make Woffelsbach, with its sailing area, bay and hiking trails, the focus of your trip, or include other places in the Simmerath destination as well.

Discover more destinations: Steckenborn, Kesternich, Einruhr, Dedenborn.

Back to the overview of the destination: Simmerath.