The best MTB trails in Hochpochtener Wald

A true paradise stretches out on the edge of the village of Ulmen on a plateau beneath the Steimelskopf, where a volcano once erupted with a tremendous bang, forming a deep crater with a maar lake, which now serves as a renowned bird sanctuary. The exact age of the Jungferweiher lake cannot be determined, but its morphological shape suggests it is several hundred thousand years old. In early modern times, the Lords of Ulmen used the lake as a fishpond for carp breeding, until it gradually silted up over time, and the residents of Ulmen harvested peat from the former maar for heating purposes. However, in 1942, the decision was made to flood the area again by damming the Ulmener Bach to secure the drinking water supply for the Cochem-Zell district. Today, the Jungferweiher lake, located at an altitude of 428 meters above sea level, covers an area of approximately 170,000 square meters with a depth of 0.8 meters. The pond, along with the Ulmener Maar, is protected for its rare flora and fauna. Many endangered species, such as the snipe and the meadow pipit, breed in the reed-rich banks, while ospreys have been observed hunting. Migratory birds such as cranes, teals, and great grey shrikes roost in the meadows near the Ulmener Jungferweiher every year. Therefore, a walk along the approximately 3-kilometer loop is a must, especially during the migration periods in spring and autumn. At the bird observatory on the western bank, you can observe the birds in their natural habitat. Nowadays, a wide variety of fish species thrive in the shallow waters of the Ulmener Weiher, which can be fished from a fishing pier on the southern bank. Swimming and other water sports are prohibited, however. Fishing permits are issued by the local municipal administration in Ulmen. Since 2023, the Ulmener Maar Tunnel has connected the Jungferweiher underground to the Ulmener Maar. A visit to the 126-metre-long tunnel is highly recommended!

According to legend, Heinrich von Ulmen is said to have deposited a bag of earth from Christ's grave at the St. Anthony's Cross in the 17th century.

Here at the Jungfernweiher in Ulmen you can go for a lovely walk. The Ulmener Stollen connects the Ulmener Maar with the Jungfernweiher.

According to legend, the knight Rhilipp Haust(en) von Ulmen and his wife erected the cross. The knight was taken prisoner during a crusade. There, according to legend, he had to pull a plough even though his hands and toes were chopped off. His lady of the castle, after receiving news of this, set off to free her beloved. She succeeded thanks to a harp performance - and out of gratitude, both erected the Antoniuskreuz upon their happy return. (Source: Sagen und Legenden der Eifel / collected and edited by Hans-Peter Pracht, 1983). Historically, the legend originated around 1508.

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The Volcanic Eifel is always worth a short vacation.

The Volcanic Eifel is always worth a short vacation.

If you start your tour from the direction of the campsite at Jungferweiher, you will soon come across this beautiful rest area.