Schönecker Schweiz

Schönecker Schweiz is a protected nature reserve in the Eifel region spanning 865 hectares across multiple municipalities, featuring dolomite cliffs, juniper heaths, and orchid meadows. The landscape combines open heath areas with dense forests and displays steep limestone slopes throughout.

The area shows traces of Celtic cultures with burial mounds and a fortified settlement dating from 400 to 100 BC. These early settlement remains continue to define the archaeological importance of the landscape today.

The name Schönecker Schweiz refers to the hilly terrain with limestone cliffs that evoke an alpine landscape in miniature. Today visitors can observe how this geography shapes the pathways people use and which plants thrive on the steep slopes.

The area is accessed by several hiking trails including botanical, karst, and geological routes that connect the surrounding towns. Visitors should expect varied trail conditions depending on the season and terrain.

Two streams in this area, the Altburgbach and Schalkenbach, disappear underground and directly feed the largest drinking water source in Southern Eifel. This phenomenon of underground water flow is visible to visitors at the places where the streams suddenly end and vanish into the ground.

Location: Fleringen

Location: Rommersheim

Location: Giesdorf

Location: Schönecken

Location: Wallersheim

Location: Hersdorf

Inception: 1991

GPS coordinates: 50.17520,6.47350

Latest update: December 13, 2025 11:43