Circular hiking route | In the footsteps of THE GREEN HELL (Nürburg-Quiddelbach-Nürburg)

The former landscape of lava, ash, and rock has transformed into a green paradise. A diverse forest and meadow landscape covers this unique volcanic landscape – with numerous orchids in the nutrient-poor soil of the wet meadows "In der Stroth," colorful herbs, and the rare golden oat grass. In June, the woodland cranesbill creates a sea of purple blossoms.

Humans have also shaped this area over the last centuries: cultivating agricultural land and extracting stone as a building material. They built villages, a castle, and a race track. These were major efforts. And this strength was drawn from the energy that this region still radiates today.

You can experience, feel, and see all this on the thematic hiking trail with numerous information boards. The most beautiful panoramic view is offered by the Nürburg castle ruins. Other impressive points are the Selberg and the views of the world-famous race track, the Nürburgring.

Highlights on 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 highlands of the Eifel
• Selberg - a volcanic spring hill

The path begins below the Nürburg castle ruins. From the starting point, it first goes west around Nürburg and then across the wet meadows "In der Stroth," formed by impermeable clay layers, where thousands of orchids grow in the nutrient-poor soil. The hike continues close to the access road to the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Next, the walker reaches the "Nürburg volcano," a tuff cone shaped as a hilltop, offering a beautiful view of the Eifel landscape. Past the old Nürburg ski lift, the path goes over magnificent meadows down into the village of Quiddelbach. From there, the route leads to the "Selberg," a volcanic spring hill. The rest of the route offers wonderful panoramic views over the heights of the Eifel towards the volcanic peaks "Hohe Acht," "Selberg," and "Nürburg." Over the smooth oat meadows "Im Ertrisch," it climbs over the Quiddelbach heights towards Nürburg. Along the Nordschleife, you pass through beautiful Eifel forests to the quarry "Buchental," then climb back up to the starting point of the route.

The route is consistently marked with the trail logo.

Course: Nürburg castle ruins - west around Nürburg - ski jump - ski slope - "In der Stroth" - quarry - direction Quiddelbach - village Quiddelbach - along the "Selberg" - crossing of B 257 at the "Selberg" - crossing of B 257 "Quiddelbach height" - along the race track - ascent through the forest to Nürburg