Anyone looking for a real nature experience does not have to travel far. Eifel National Park, the only national park in North Rhine-Westphalia, offers wilderness, stillness and wide forests right on the doorstep. Here nature is allowed to be nature again. We show you the finest outdoor activities in the park, and why the view from the water shows the Eifel at its most impressive.

The short answer

Eifel National Park is an ideal destination for outdoor activities: hiking on natural trails, one of the darkest starry skies in Germany, rare animals and clear waters. The most intense nature experience is often from the water, canoeing on the Rur or the calm Heimbach reservoir, because there you glide silently right through the landscape.

What makes Eifel National Park special

Across more than 100 square kilometres real wilderness is returning here. Beech forests, flowering meadows, the Rursee and the river valleys form a habitat for rare species such as the wildcat, black stork and beaver. The park is also recognised as a dark sky park, on clear nights you can see the Milky Way with the naked eye. It is exactly this mix of calm, space and biodiversity that makes the nature experience here so intense.

Outdoor activities at a glance

Hiking: marked trails for every fitness level, from a short loop to the Wilderness Trail over several stages.
Canoeing: the nature experience from the water, quiet and right up close (more on that shortly).
Cycling: tours around the Rursee and through the valleys.
Stargazing: experience one of the darkest skies in Germany in the dark sky park.
Watching wildlife: with a little patience and distance, many species can be discovered.

Why the water is the most beautiful perspective

From the boat you experience the Eifel differently than from the trail: you move silently, get closer to the banks and the animals and see landscape that is hard to reach on foot. On the guided canoe tour on the Rur you glide from Heimbach to Zerkall right through the park, starting at 11:15, lasting around 4.5 hours. As the only canoe provider right inside the national park, we know the most beautiful sections. If you prefer it calmer, paddle the Heimbach reservoir, also ideal for families from the age of 7.

Combine nature and excursion tips

A day in the national park combines well: first paddle, then explore the little town of Heimbach with its castle and art nouveau power station. You will find concrete tips in our Heimbach sights. Which waters in the region are navigable and what rules apply is explained in our guide Where can you go canoeing?

Frequently asked questions about the nature experience in the Eifel

What outdoor activities are there in Eifel National Park?

Hiking, cycling, canoeing, stargazing and wildlife watching. The park is the only national park in NRW and is recognised as a dark sky park.

Can you go canoeing in Eifel National Park?

Yes. On the Rur and the Heimbach reservoir. We are the only canoe provider right inside the park and guide you through the most beautiful sections on the guided tour.

Is Eifel National Park suitable for families?

Very much so. There are easy hiking trails, and the calm Heimbach reservoir is suitable for canoeing with children from the age of 7.

Experience the Eifel from the water

The most intense nature experience awaits on the water. Pick a date and book your guided canoe tour on the Rur or the Heimbach reservoir directly on our booking page. We bring the boat and equipment, you enjoy the wilderness of the Eifel.

Worth a read

Tips and trip ideas for your canoe day out

20 July 2026 · 5 min read

Ready for your canoe trip on the Rur?

The popular guided day tour from Heimbach through Eifel National Park. Places are limited, so book online in good time.

View the Rur tour

Pure Nature: Outdoor Activities in Eifel National Park