Discover Ernzen: the Rock Pond and Roman traces

Ernzen lies on the south side of the Ferschweiler Plateau. The Rock Pond and the Roman traces along Messeweg offer two different perspectives on the place: here, sandstone, water and a landscaped setting take centre stage; there, the evidence of a Roman settlement. When planning your trip, you can first consider whether natural formations, the history of the Earth or archaeological discoveries should be the main focus.

Water and sandstone at the Rock Pond

The Rock Pond is located on the edge of Ernzen, at the entrance to the Gutenbach Valley. A spring feeds the pond, framed by rock walls with niches and caves. Terraces, pools, steps and bridges surround the water. Natural sandstone formations meet a landscaped site here: in the second half of the 19th century, Pastor Philipp Meyer had natural sandstone grottoes and cavities transformed into the Rock Pond. Its history combines the existing rock formations with the pond complex created later. The Rock Pond is freely accessible at all times, and its setting is used for concerts and other cultural events. Landscape and culture thus contribute to the range of impressions this place offers.

Dinosaurs and the history of the Earth

The Dinosaur Park Teufelsschlucht offers a different timescale. It features more than 180 life-size reconstructions, mostly of extinct species, and spans more than 600 million years. A circular trail almost two kilometres long follows the history of life, from the first land animals to modern humans. At the PaleoLab, visitors can learn about current excavations and research projects. The reconstructions, trail and research topics therefore offer different ways to explore the history of the Earth: vivid displays, a walk through the development of life and insights into current projects.

The Teufelsschlucht hiking trail also links notable destinations: a suspension bridge connects it to the Irrel Waterfalls and the rapids of the Prüm.

Roman traces and practical information

Evidence of a Roman settlement can be found along Messeweg in Ernzen, including the remains of a Roman sanctuary. These were discovered in 1965. Alongside the vast timescales of the history of the Earth, Ernzen also offers a tangible trace of human history.

There is no direct public transport connection to Felsenweg 6. If you are travelling by car, you can use the Felsenweiher car park on Flurstraße in Ernzen. Check your route based on the connection you have chosen.

More discoveries in the Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm

The wider travel destination of Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm offers more to explore. The Mühlenberger Stollen Bleialf visitor mine has a mining trail with numerous information panels on the area's mining history. A one-hour guided tour of the mine explains ore extraction in Bleialf, from geology to applied technology; check the seasonal opening hours in advance.

The Devonium in Waxweiler presents complex concepts in palaeontology and the science of fossil life in an engaging way. The Westwall Museum houses a military history exhibition across three accessible floors of a bunker, as well as in underground passages and rooms.

The approximately 700-year-old moated castle of Rittersdorf offers another historical perspective. It has remained almost unaltered since it was built and provides an impressive picture of late medieval and early modern Renaissance domestic culture. The castle also has a privately run restaurant serving fine regional cuisine; check whether it is open before your visit. Together, the region's attractions range from mining and fossil life to military history, architecture and cuisine.

Choose your location to suit the kind of trip you prefer.

Discover more destinations: Holsthum, Bollendorf.

Return to the main travel overview: Irrel.