• Copyright: Eifel Tourismus GmbH, D. Ketz

Wanderreise 24: Eifelsteig auf kurzen Etappen Manderscheid - Trier

Hiking trip
7 daysFrom 649.00 €
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✔Early-bird discount through Feb. 28, 2027 ✔Multi-day hike ✔Short stages ✔7 days ✔approx. 75 km ✔Manderscheid - Trier


Book by February 28, 2027, at a special price starting at €635.00

Hiking the Eifelsteig in shorter stages from Manderscheid to Trier

From the famous castles of Manderscheid to the Moselle metropolis of Trier, which dazzles with its ancient sites—that’s a total of 75 kilometers of hiking bliss on the Eifelsteig through the southern Eifel. Five stages ranging from ten to twenty kilometers in length make it easy to navigate through the dense forests and rocky stream valleys of this historic landscape.

Especially at the start, along the Lieser River from Manderscheid to Himmerod Abbey, there are some spectacular stretches. It’s no coincidence that the Lieserpfad, which follows the Eifelsteig, is considered one of the most beautiful hiking trails in Europe. Himmerod Abbey, situated in a secluded spot in the Salm Valley, is the oldest Cistercian abbey, founded by Bernard of Clairvaux himself. Here, you’ll be surrounded by the peace and serenity of times gone by. Further south, heading toward the Moselle, you’ll reach the Meulenwald. Bruch Castle, the legendary Genoveva Cave carved into the bizarre red sandstone, and villages nestled in deep valleys—such as Kordel—alternate in the southern Eifel with vast, open highlands, such as those near Zemmer. Time to catch your breath.

Finally , you’ll reach your destination in Trier, Germany’s oldest city. The Romans founded it in a gently curving section of the Moselle Valley, flanked by red, sheer cliffs. If you’re in the mood for hands-on history, you can take a guided tour of the city here.

Comfort is part of the hiking trip—for example, you don’t have to carry your own luggage, and your hosts will provide you with lovingly prepared packed lunches to take along the way.

Impressions

Travel itinerary

Total length of the route: 75 km

  1. Total distance: Manderscheid - Trier

    • Approx. 75 km in total

    1. Day 1: Arrival in Manderscheid

      • Overnight Stay in Manderscheid

      • Our tip: Start your trip with a beginner’s course on the Burgenklettersteig:

    2. Day 2: Manderscheid – Himmerod Abbey (approx. 18.5 km)

      • Hike on Stage 12 of the Eifelsteig from Manderscheid to Himmerod Abbey | approx. 18.2 km
      • Transfer to the hotel
      1. An old castle by a river, surrounded by green trees. The sky is clear with some clouds.
        Copyright: Dominik Ketz

        Castles of Manderscheid

        Manderscheid

        The spa town of Manderscheid is most famous for two medieval castle ruins that stand directly opposite each other on steep mountain spurs not far from the town's alleyways. The massive complexes are separated only by the little Lieser river and a meadow, which in summer becomes a perfect place for a breather while hiking the Eifelsteig trail or for a family picnic with children. On a weekend in August, however, the castles and the meadow are ideal settings for a spectacular festival with quaint crafts, jugglers, jousting tournaments and minstrel singing. In Advent, the Manderscheid Castle Christmas lends the town a special magic. The freely accessible upper castle with its five-storey keep still looks martial today. The lower castle can be explored on guided tours - even at night - or on your own; it only remains closed in bad weather.

        learn more about: Castles of Manderscheid
      2. An old church surrounded by green meadows and trees. The sky is blue with some white clouds.
        Copyright: GesundLand Vulkaneifel GmbH

        Himmerod Abbey

        Großlittgen
        Open today

        Pass through the gateway to the centuries-old Himmerod Abbey and discover a time that seems long forgotten. The thick walls and small monastery farms of the Cistercian Abbey in the Salm Valley give you contemplative moments in the middle of the GesundLand Vulkaneifel.

        learn more about: Himmerod Abbey

    3. Day 3: Himmerod Abbey – Niederkail/Bruch (15.5 km or 20 km)

      • Hike along Stage 13 of the Eifelsteig Trail from Himmerod Abbey to Niederkail/Bruch | approx. 15.5 km or 20 km
      • Overnight stay in Niederkail or Bruch
      1. An old church surrounded by green meadows and trees. The sky is blue with some white clouds.
        Copyright: GesundLand Vulkaneifel GmbH

        Himmerod Abbey

        Großlittgen
        Open today

        Pass through the gateway to the centuries-old Himmerod Abbey and discover a time that seems long forgotten. The thick walls and small monastery farms of the Cistercian Abbey in the Salm Valley give you contemplative moments in the middle of the GesundLand Vulkaneifel.

        learn more about: Himmerod Abbey

    4. Day 4: Bruch – Zemmer (approx. 13.4 km)

      • Hike on Stage 14 of the Eifelsteig Trail from Bruch to Zemmer | approx. 13.4 km
      • Transfer to the lodging
      1. A picturesque landscape with two towers and a beautiful house. Surrounded by lush greenery and forests.
        Copyright: Tourist-Information Wittlich Stadt und Land

        Burg Bruch

        Bruch
        Open today

        The castle Bruch is a romantic, closed castle complex and was originally the seat of the lords of Bruch.

        learn more about: Burg Bruch

    5. Day 5: Zemmer – Daufenbach (about 10 km)

      • Transfer to the trailhead
      • Hike on Eifelsteig Stage 14 from Zemmer to Daufenbach | approx. 10 km
      • Train ride to Trier and overnight stay
      1. A viewing tower surrounded by green trees and fields. The sky is clear and blue.
        Copyright: Eifel Touristik Dominik Ketz

        Observation tower Zemmer-Rodt

        Zemmer
        Open today

        The Fidei look-out is located in Rodt near the sports field. Located at 395 meters above sea level, it offers visitors a view of the top platform across the Eifel, Mosel, Hunsrück to neighboring Luxembourg. The wooden tower is about 20 meters high and offers a magnificent view.Various Nordic Walking tours start at the tower.

        learn more about: Observation tower Zemmer-Rodt

    6. Day 6: Kordel – Trier (about 17 km)

      • Train ride to Kordel
      • Hike on Stage 15 of the Eifelsteig from Kordel to Trier | approx. 17 km
      • Overnight stay in Trier
      2. An impressive cave with red rocks and a view of a green forest. Two hikers are standing at the cave's entrance, enjoying the view.
        Copyright: Eifel Tourismus GmbH, D. Ketz

        Genoveva cave

        Kordel
        Open today

        Near the Kyll Valley lies the imposing and legendary Genoveva Cave. The premium hiking trails Eifelsteig and Römerpfad guide hikers to this spot in the middle of an enchanted forest. Over millions of years, the forces of nature carved the shell-shaped cave out of the massive rock. Since the Stone Age, it has offered people shelter from the elements and wild animals. According to legend, Genoveva, the doomed wife of Count Palatine Siegried, also found a safe hiding place here for many years. 

        learn more about: Genoveva cave
      3. An impressive rock opening in a forest with red sandstone formations. Surrounded by trees, the place offers a natural and serene atmosphere.
        Copyright: Deutsch-Luxemburgische Tourist-Information

        Cave Klausen

        Kordel
        Open today

        Visit the Klausenhöhle ( cave) on the Premium hiking trail ``Römerpfad`` and let the past come back to life. According to legends, a hermit lived in the cave in the 18th century.

        learn more about: Cave Klausen

    7. Day 7: Departure

      • After breakfast, the hiking tour on the Eifelsteig comes to an end

      Our tip: Round out your hiking trip with a guided tour of the imperial city of Trier. We’d be happy to reserve discounted tickets for you to join a public guided tour upon request.

      1. Copyright: GDKE – Rheinisches Landesmuseum Trier, Th. Zühmer

        Porta Nigra

        Trier

        The Porta Nigra is the best-preserved Roman city gate north of the Alps, and is on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list.

        learn more about: Porta Nigra

    Further information

    Request a quote

    You can request the offer "Wanderreise 24: Eifelsteig auf kurzen Etappen Manderscheid - Trier" from the provider Eifel Tourismus GmbH here.

    October 15, 2026 to December 31, 2027

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