The view from the lookout tower “Landesblick” is impressive: The Maar lake glistens around 200 metres below, gently embedded in the largest Maar funnel in the Eifel. However, only part of the 1,700 metres long basin is covered with water.
In the midst of the largest maar crater in the Eifel lies the enchanting Meerfelder Maar. This maar is at least 30,000 years old and occupies roughly half the space of the maar crater. The idyllic village of Meerfeld clings to the steep southern slopes of the other half, with its restaurants pampering your palate with their excellent cuisine.
If you want to enjoy an extraordinary view of the Meerfelder Maar, hike to the viewing platform "Landesblick", which sits high on the crater rim and offers an unforgettable view of the surrounding area and the maar of Meerfeld. The effort of the ascent is worth it, as the far-reaching sight is fantastic.
From May to September, swimming season is at the Meerfelder Maar natural swimming pool. Here you have the chance to swim in an extinct volcano! Anglers will also find plenty to enjoy at the Meerfelder Maar, with a bit of patience leading to a good catch.
The Meerfelder Maar and its surroundings are protected as a nature reserve. The shore of the maar is lined with marsh meadows, sedge beds, and a wide reed zone in the south, providing a protected habitat for numerous animals. During a walk, you can discover small natural treasures along the path.
These hiking trails pass by the Meerfelder Maar:
What exactly is a maar?
The term maar derives from the Latin "mare" (=sea). It is a type of volcano that is formed by steam eruptions and has a funnel shape, often appearing as a bowl-like formation in the landscape. A maar forms when rising magma meets water-bearing layers of rock. This leads to massive explosions, and the surrounding rock is torn into tiny fragments along with the magma and ejected from the explosion crater. In the area of the explosion center, a cavity is formed, which transitions into an explosion vent. As the rock above the cavity collapses, the explosion vent becomes a collapse or maar crater. After the volcanic activity subsides, the craters subsequently fill with water. A total of over 70 maar volcanoes have been counted in the Eifel, with twelve maars still filled with water, while the rest have already silted up.
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