Erkensruhr und Dreiborner Hochfläche

Einruhr is one of the most popular tourist destinations of the Eifel Nature Park. It is in a great location, at one of the salients of the Rur dam, connected to the village of Rurberg and Urft dam via a cruise on the regular steamer (in fact, a battery-powered ship). It is also in hiking distance to Vogelsang, the center of the Eifel Nature Park. Importantly, Einruhr has many lakeside hotels, cafes and restaurants. This has a downside for those seeking solitude and quiet, as the place can be VERY busy. Most visitors are happy strolling along the lakeshore. On summer weekends it becomes the mecca for motorcyclists, who train their engines on the tight switchbacks of the Eifel roads.

Having said all this, it doesn't take much to escape the noise pollution. We planned our trip as an exercise, and decided to climb from the lakeshore twice to the high Eifel plateau. Of course, each half of it would be a shorter equally pleasant excursion.

The last stretch of the hike leads across the Dreiborner Hochfläche. This plateau was, until a few years ago, an exercise area for NATO military. The area has since been cleared, but warning signs still remind you to stay on the marked trails, as their might be unexploded ordinances around (and much protected wildlife). This areas has a completely different character, with its own charm and expansive views.

We suggest, before indulging in one of the lakeshore terasse cafes, to visit the Heilstein spring and tourist info. The water of the spring tastes very much like minerals, and has a natural fizz, prompting us to fill our bottles to take some of it home.