Holzmaar, Volcanic maar lake in Gillenfeld, Germany.
Holzmaar is a volcanic crater lake in the Eifel region that formed from ancient eruptions. The water fills a deep basin surrounded by sloping banks, with walking paths encircling the entire shore.
This crater lake formed roughly 13,000 years ago when a volcanic eruption shaped the depression now filled with water. Sediment layers on the lake floor record climate shifts and environmental changes across many millennia.
The German Research Center for Geosciences in Potsdam conducts regular studies at Holzmaar to analyze water parameters and sediment composition.
The lakeshore is accessible year-round with maintained trails offering views across the water. Wear sturdy shoes as the terrain is uneven and some paths run alongside steep sections of the bank.
Researchers regularly study the lake bed sediments to understand the region's climate and environmental history. This work has revealed natural climate cycles and environmental shifts documented across thousands of years.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
