Discover Freilingen: Lake, hiking trails and pilgrimage tradition

The Freilinger See, paths through meadows and woodland, and a pilgrimage tradition shape the different sides of Freilingen. You can tailor your stay to the water, hiking or cultural discoveries.

The Freilinger See: water with clear conditions

The Freilinger See is a reservoir built in 1976. It is fed with fresh spring water by the Weilerbach; its surface area is around 11 hectares, and it reaches a depth of up to 10 metres. These figures give a clear sense of the expanse of water, without implying that there is a specific swimming or diving spot.

Almost the entire lake is a bathing area. Swimming is possible there at your own risk; there is no regular lifeguard service. Diving is also possible at the Freilinger See. A day permit can be purchased from the tourist information office of the municipality of Blankenheim. If you are planning a stay by the water, these different conditions for swimming and diving provide useful guidance.

On foot between the nature trail and a hiking stage

The Freilingen forest nature trail can be reached from the sports ground. From there, follow the path for about 200 metres towards the Freilingen holiday village, then turn left into the forest. Parking is available at the Freilingen sports ground or at the Freilinger See. This gives you two named locations to use as reference points when travelling to the trail.

For a hike across wide meadows with magnificent views, the EifelSchleife Freilinger See is a good option: it is described as an easy 9.6-kilometre hike. A longer option is the 11.1-kilometre AhrSteig stage from Blankenheim to the Freilinger See. Comparing the two helps you choose by distance; they are two different routes. Before setting off on the EifelSchleife, check the trail conditions and signposting.

Pilgrimage tradition and culture in the wider destination of Blankenheim

People from the surrounding villages have been making pilgrimages to Freilingen since 1933. Alongside the hiking trails, this tradition adds its own cultural dimension.

In the wider destination of Blankenheim, the Blankenheim Ghost Parade takes place every year on Shrove Saturday. It starts at 7:11 p.m. at the pharmacy on Ahrstraße. Anyone can join in as a “ghost”; all you need is a white bedsheet and a pitch torch. Check the specific event dates and packages before your trip.

Another historical site in the wider destination of Blankenheim is Blankenheim Castle. Originally built around 1115 as a hilltop castle, it was transformed over time from a medieval fortification into a Baroque palace. So, as well as Freilingen’s trails and lake, the wider destination offers its own cultural attractions to choose from.

Choose your accommodation search area

If you mainly want to focus on the lake, the forest nature trail or the EifelSchleife, you can choose Freilingen as your accommodation search destination. For a stay that also includes the Ghost Parade or Blankenheim Castle, add the wider destination of Blankenheim to your search. The places and trails mentioned are associated with different locations, so base your decision on the experiences that matter to your trip.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Ripsdorf, Dollendorf, Reetz, Lommersdorf, Ahrdorf.

Go to the wider travel overview: Blankenheim.