Bad Bertrich between thermal waters and volcanic trails

Bad Bertrich lies in the Üssbach valley between the Moselle and the Volcanic Eifel, amid forested surroundings of volcanic origin. Thermal waters, hiking trails and historic sites give your stay a variety of highlights. When choosing accommodation, consider what you would like to focus on: relaxing moments around the healing waters, a hike through the geological landscape, or discovering the town’s history.

Thermal waters and wellness

The Vulkaneifel Therme has indoor and outdoor pools, adventure saunas with a volcanic theme, and a wellness area. The pools are filled with healing thermal water at 32°C from Germany’s only Glauber’s salt thermal spring. Wellness services include treatments such as massages and body wraps; the availability of individual treatments may vary. If you have a particular treatment in mind, check in advance what is currently available.

Water also features in the spa gardens: at the drinking fountain in the Kursaal building, you can draw natural healing water at 32°C. The fountain and the therme’s bathing facilities offer two different ways to experience the thermal waters—at the drinking fountain and in the pools.

Hiking through the volcanic landscape

The HeimatSpur Geo-Route is an approximately seven-kilometre circular hike through the geological landscape around Bad Bertrich, exploring the area’s volcanic past. Nine volcanoes were active here 50,000 years ago. Along the route are Palmberg, Viktoriahöhe, Ruflay and the volcanic Maischquelle spring.

Another circular hike is the seven-kilometre HeimatSpur Kurschattensteig through the Volcanic Eifel around Bad Bertrich. Its soft trails and narrow sections with an almost alpine feel give it a different character. Both routes are about seven kilometres long: the Geo-Route focuses on the geological landscape, while the Kurschattensteig alternates between soft trails and narrow paths. Check the trail conditions locally before setting out.

Woodland and views shape other experiences: the Hohenzollernturm offers views over Bad Bertrich and the surrounding hills. It was built in 1896/97 as a memorial tower connected with the 100th birthday of Kaiser Wilhelm I. The two aspects come together here in a distinctive way: the tower is both a historic site and a viewpoint.

Local history in the spa gardens and Allengarten

The Kurfürstliches Schlösschen stands in the flowering spa gardens. It was built in 1787 as a summer residence for Clemens Wenzeslaus, the last Elector of Trier. Another site steeped in history is the Allengarten, home to a protected tree of life planted more than 350 years ago. Around 1903, Clara Viebig drew inspiration from it for her novella “Der Lebensbaum”. The little palace and the tree bring together two different stories: that of a historic summer residence and that of a literary inspiration.

Getting around on foot and practical information

Traffic in Bad Bertrich is restricted. Drivers are asked to use the car parks at the eastern or western entrances to the town and explore on foot. The Bad Bertrich Tourist Information Centre also has a reading corner, free Wi-Fi, a children’s corner and an accessible guest toilet.

The Tourist Information Centre is certified as “accessibility checked” and is partially accessible to people with mobility impairments. Since certification periods and facilities can change, it is best to check the current status before your trip. If you plan to use the Tourist Information Centre for a booking or a particular facility, also check what is currently available.

Discover more destinations: Auderath, Gillenbeuren, Urschmitt, Meiserich, Lutzerath.

Return to the main travel overview: Ulmen.