Brauselay

Brauselay is a nature reserve in Cochem that rises about 65 meters above the Moselle River and features sandstone rock formations and steep cliffs. The area has an interesting geological structure with distinct layers and offers views across the river and surrounding landscape from above.

The area formed about 300 million years ago during the Variscan mountain-building event, when horizontal seabed deposits were compressed into folded rock structures under intense pressure. These geological processes ultimately shaped the cliff formations visible in the landscape today.

A white Madonna statue sits on a rock outcrop within the reserve, placed there by unknown individuals during World War II. The statue remains a quiet landmark that catches visitors' attention as they walk through the area.

Visitors can reach the area by following a marked trail from the Cond neighborhood in Cochem that leads to an observation point above the reserve. The path is relatively straightforward to follow, though it includes some steep sections and stairs along the way.

Goats keep the landscape open by grazing, allowing Mediterranean plants to grow here due to dry summers in the rain shadow of the Eifel and Hunsrück mountains. This combination of managed grazing and southern plant species creates a rare ecosystem for this region.