Gerolsteiner Dolomiten Acht

Two in one go is the motto of the Gerolstein Dolomites Eight, as two premium hiking routes are integrated into the approximately sixteen-kilometre hike.

Starting and finishing in the Gerolstein spa gardens, the Gerolstein Celtic Trail and the Gerolstein Rock Trailboth partner trails of the Eifelsteig, are hiked in the form of a stylized "8". Together, the Gerolsteiner Felsenpfad and Gerolsteiner Keltenpfad form the "Gerolsteiner Dolomiten Acht" - a figure-eight loop of infinity.

While the Celtic Trail runs south of the Eifel town of Gerolstein over the extinct Dietzenley volcano and through the Heiligenstein nature reserve, the loop of the Rock Trail north of the fountain town leads through the Dolomites and to Kasselburg Castle. If you are not afraid to combine the two Volcanic Eifel trails and hike them in one day, you can enjoy a varied route with magnificent views. History buffs will also get their money's worth, as there are two medieval walls and a cave right along the way.

You don't get the opportunity to hike a limestone reef every day. The dolomite cliffs are the landmark of Gerolstein. The Buchenloch Cave is located on the edge of the Munterley Plateau. Formed over 1.8 million years ago in the rock massif, the vault is impressive with a length of approx. 30 m and a width of approx. 4 m. It provided shelter for Stone Age people. Through the volcanic ring, past Germany's largest mineral fountain and the majestic Kasselburg castle, hikers can enjoy great views of the fountain town from the Hustley climbing rock.

Healthy, strong and beautiful - on the trail of the elixir of water
The Kyll and the Gerol stones are the theme and symbol of this leisure trail. You will come across special places: places where witnesses of times long past tell their stories.

In this landscape, all our respect belongs to the water that has dug its way through hard limestone, volcanic basalt and tuff rock in the Kyll river valley for 140,000 years to return home - home to its primeval sea, which it had to leave over 400 million years ago. But the real treasure is the water itself, created by the Kyll in a huge underground reservoir of basalt fissures, cracks and caves. Full of minerals and the experiences of an adventurous life story, it literally bubbles out of every crack and corner as Drees, Born or Heilquelle.
What the Kyll teaches us is that you can bite through the hardest stone, even if you have no teeth, and that perseverance and persistence are worthwhile, because "beauty, true happiness and genuine heroism walk softly. Unnoticed comes everything that will last!"*

*Wilhelm Raabe - Alte Nester, 1831-1910, German storyteller.

Note on the signposting:
The Gerolsteiner Dolomiten Acht hiking trail does not have its own signposting, but consists of the two hiking trails "Gerolsteiner Felsenpfad" and "Gerolsteiner Keltenpfad". Please follow the signs for these trails.