Eifel National Park: planning guide
Beech woods and volcanic plates west of Cologne, with crater lakes and the Urft reservoir rim.
Eifel National Park is in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The nearest town is Schleiden — roughly 7.1 km (4.4 mi) out, about 12 min of driving.
When to go
Best window: June through September. Shoulder season: May and early October.
Late autumn through early spring is cold and wet, with limited hut service and short daylight.
Mountain weather turns quickly and marked routes can stay snow-covered well into June.
Closest towns and cities
| Town | Distance | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Schleiden | 7.1 km (4.4 mi) | 12 min |
| Mechernich | 18 km (11.2 mi) | 30 min |
| Düren | 26.9 km (16.7 mi) | 41 min |
| Aachen | 32 km (19.9 mi) | 46 min |
| Jülich | 39.2 km (24.3 mi) | 54 min |
| Köln | 55.9 km (34.8 mi) | 1 hr 12 min |
| Heinsberg | 58.8 km (36.5 mi) | 1 hr 15 min |
| Mönchengladbach | 68.5 km (42.6 mi) | 1 hr 25 min |
Where Eifel National Park sits
Official Eifel National Park site — hours, closures, and fees.
Drive times from Eifel National Park
Eifel National Park sits close enough to Hunsrück-Hochwald National Park, Kellerwald-Edersee National Park, Black Forest National Park, and Hainich National Park that one drive from home can cover more than one park.
| Park | Apart | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Hunsrück-Hochwald National Park | 109 km (67.6 mi) | 2 hr 3 min |
| Kellerwald-Edersee National Park | 194 km (121 mi) | 3 hr 18 min |
| Black Forest National Park | 260 km (162 mi) | 4 hr 17 min |
| Hainich National Park | 290 km (180 mi) | 4 hr 43 min |
Parks close by
- Hunsrück-Hochwald National Park
High woodlands where Rhineland-Palatinate meets the Saarland, with soft ridges and quiet streams.
- Kellerwald-Edersee National Park
Ancient beech forest and rocky slopes above Lake Edersee in Hesse.
- Black Forest National Park
Dark conifer ridges and valleys in Baden-Württemberg; Germany’s Black Forest national park.
- Hainich National Park
A UNESCO beech forest in Thuringia recovering without management — Germany’s “primeval” lowland woodland.
Common questions
Where is Eifel National Park?
Eifel National Park sits in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Schleiden, about 7.1 km (4.4 mi) away — roughly 12 min of driving.
When is the best time to visit Eifel National Park?
Generally June through September, with May and early October quieter on either side.