Eifel in autumn: red deer and natural spectacles in the national park!

Eifel in autumn: red deer and natural spectacles in the national park!

In western Germany, more precisely in North Rhine-Westphalia, the Eifel National Park covers an area of ​​110 square kilometers. Since its founding in 2004, this park has not only established itself as an important nature conservation area, but is also transformed every autumn into a veritable sea of ​​colors of gold, red and orange. As the leaves fall, visitors are treated to an unforgettable natural spectacle.

There are over 1,000 red deer in the Eifel National Park, whose rutting season begins in October. These impressive wild animals are the largest free-living animal species in Central Europe and attract the attention of many nature and animal lovers thanks to their majestic appearance. The best opportunity to observe these animals is the red deer viewing gallery in Dreiborn. Here visitors can experience up close the impressive calls of the deer, which can be heard for miles during the rutting season. Rangers are also available to inform guests about the behavior and lifestyle of red deer.

Exciting hiking in the national park

For hiking enthusiasts, there are an impressive 240 kilometers of hiking trails available in the Eifel National Park. Particularly noteworthy is the four-day wilderness trail, which traverses a wide variety of landscape types. The varied nature and the variety of species that can be observed make hiking here a special experience. In total, an impressive 11,425 species have been counted in the park, including 2,620 that are on the Red List. Rare animals such as the black stork and the Bechstein's bat have also settled among these species. The national park is also home to over 50 wild cats, giving it exceptional biodiversity.

A particularly popular spot for photography is the Dreiborn plateau, which offers ideal lighting conditions in autumn. In addition, 80 kilometers of rivers were designed to be close to nature, which represents another highlight for the park's fauna and flora.

A quiet alternative to crowded destinations

In 2024, the Eifel National Park recorded 1.4 million visitors. Despite this high number, the park remains a quiet alternative to overcrowded destinations in the region. Ranger-led tours and excursions during the deer rut are planned for autumn 2025, which should attract even more people into the untouched nature.

The national park not only serves as a place for visitors to relax, but also acts as a living laboratory for scientific studies. The planned expansion by 750 hectares illustrates the great importance of the nature conservation project for Germany and its future ecological research.

For all nature lovers, the Eifel National Park remains a place where you can experience the best of nature. Whether hiking, observing animals or simply enjoying the autumn colors - the Eifel awaits visitors with open arms.

Special features of the Eifel National Park:

• Fläche: 110 Quadratkilometer
• Gründung: 2004
• Hirsche: Über 1.000 Rothirsche
• Wanderwege: 240 Kilometer
• Besucher: 1,4 Millionen (2024)
• Besondere Arten: 11.425 Arten, 2.620 auf der Roten Liste
• Naturnahe Flussläufe: 80 Kilometer
• Geplante Erweiterung: um 750 Hektar

Find out more about the natural treasures and opportunities for animal observation in the Eifel National Park Journee Mondiale and discover the adventure offers North Eifel Tourism. Further information about the importance and challenges of our national parks can be found at bfn.de.