Circular Hiking Trail | In the Footsteps of the "Grüne Hölle" (Nürburg-Quiddelbach-Nürburg)

The landscape, once made up of lava, ash, and rock, has been transformed into a green paradise. A biodiverse landscape of forests and meadows covers this unique volcanic terrain—featuring a variety of orchids in the nutrient-poor soil of the “In der Stroth” wet meadows, colorful herbs, and the rare golden oatgrass. In June, the wood cranesbill forms a sea of purple flowers.

Humans, too, have shaped this area over the past few centuries: they cultivated farmland and quarried stone as a building material. They built villages, a castle, and a racetrack. This required great effort. And people drew this strength from the energy that this region still radiates today.

You can learn about, experience, and see all of this on the themed hiking trail, which features numerous informational signs. The Nürburg Castle ruins offer the most beautiful panoramic view. Other impressive spots include the Selberg and the views of the world-famous Nürburgring race track.

Highlights along the trail:

Nürburg Castle Ruins on the Tertiary volcano Nürburg
Panoramic view | Nürburg Castle Ruins
Nürburgring
Nordschleife: THE GREEN HELL
Orchid-rich wet meadows "In der Stroth"
Flower-rich herb and oat meadows
Fantastic distant views over the volcanic High Eifel
Selberg—a volcanic spring hill

The trail begins below the Nürburg Castle ruins. From the starting point, it first heads west around the Nürburg and then crosses the “In der Stroth” wet meadows—formed by accumulated layers of clay—where thousands of orchids grow in the nutrient-poor soil. The hike continues, passing close to the entrance to the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Next, hikers reach the “Nürburg Volcano,” a tuff vent carved into a hilltop that offers a beautiful view of the Eifel landscape. Passing the old Nürburg ski lift, the trail descends through beautiful meadows into the village of Quiddelbach. From there, the route leads to “Selberg,” a volcanic spring hill. The rest of the route offers magnificent panoramic views across the Eifel highlands to the volcanic peaks “Hohe Acht,” “Selberg,” and “Nürburg.” Crossing the smooth-oat meadows “Im Ertrisch,” the trail climbs over the Quiddelbacher Höhe toward Nürburg. Following the Nordschleife, you pass through beautiful Eifel forests to reach the “Buchental” quarry, then head back uphill to the route’s starting point.

The route is marked throughout with the trail logo.

Route: Nürburg Castle Ruins – west around Nürburg – ski jump – ski slope – “In der Stroth” - Quarry - toward Quiddelbach - town of Quiddelbach - along the "Selberg" - crossing the B 257 at the "Selberg" - crossing the B 257 at "Quiddelbacher Höhe" - along the race track - climb through the forest to Nürburg