Despite the fact that the Volcanic Eifel region in Germany is mountainous, it can still get quite warm. Many of us would like to take a dip to cool off. There is a lot of water in the Volcanic Eifel, but swimming is not allowed everywhere. You can go swimming in many maars, but not in all. Some are protected nature reserves. But then there are still the numerous swimming pools. Most swimming pools have an indoor and an outdoor section. Germans are also very strict when it comes to fishing. It is not allowed everywhere and you need a permit for it.
Swimming in the nature of the Volcanic Eifel
In the German Volcanic Eifel you can go swimming in nature, more specifically in the maars. A maar is a natural lake that formed in the crater of a volcano. These maars are also called the eyes of the Eifel, because they are almost all spherical in shape. You have to be careful, because you can’t swim in all maars. Some are protected nature reserves and you are absolutely not allowed to jump into them. In other buts it is turned a blind eye. The local population does not always adhere to the law and you often see Germans swimming in places where it is actually prohibited. So pay close attention to local usage.
In which maars can you go swimming and in which maars is it not allowed?
The Schalkenmehrener Maar
About three kilometers from Daun is the beautiful Schalkenmehrener Maar with a diameter of 575 meters and a depth of 21 meters. This lake is actually a double lake: two maars that have merged into each other over time. Hence the figure eight shape. You can park your car in the parking lot of the nearby hotel. This will cost you five euros, but you will receive a voucher (Gutschein) of five euros on a drink. Or you can park in the many parking areas around the lake. Swimming is cheap here: 2 euros for under 16s, 3.5 euros for adults. You can also rent boats here for 5, 4 or 3 euros, depending on the type of boat. The demarcated swimming area is monitored by a lifeguard. You can also swim outside the demarcated zone, but at your own risk. There is also a zone up to 1.20 meters and a small paddling pool with a large parasol above for babies and toddlers. In the other zone the water quickly becomes deep. There are toilets and changing rooms in the cafeteria upstairs. There is only a lawn with grass, no sand. Moreover, the sunbathing area is not flat. So you cannot play badminton or volleyball, but you can take a mattress, boat or ball into the water. Everything is very neat and tidy.
The Gemündener Maar
This maar, on the slope of the Mäuseberg (561 metres), is located about two kilometers south of Daun. It has a diameter of 325 meters and is 38 meters deep. You will also find a swimming area here that is demarcated and separated from the area where you can row or canoe. In the demarcated swimming area there is also a section that is finished with a wall and that is also filled with water from the lake. This fairly large pool with a concrete bottom drains slowly and is also divided into two parts by a wall. Be careful of your feet and knees, because the surface is quite hard. The low part from 40 cm to about 1 meter is for toddlers and preschoolers and contains a small slide. The other part goes from 1 meter to 1 meter 60 approximately. Here you can swim or play with a ball. In the defined part of the maar itself there is a large jumping tower with four different levels. There are lifeguards everywhere. There is also a large sunbathing lawn with a paddling pool, slightly protected by a small tree. You can get to it via stairs or a small springboard. The but itself is immediately deep water. You will also find a cafeteria, changing rooms, showers and toilets. Prices here are also 2 euros for children, 3.5 euros for adults. It is cheaper to take a family card: two adults and two children pay 5.50 euros, one adult and one child pay 3 euros. Parking is free. Only fishing is allowed in nearby Weinfelder or Totenmaar.
The Ulmener Maar
Small but between Kaisersesch and Daun, in the town of the same name. About ten kilometers from Kaiseresch and 20 kilometers from Daun. The youngest of all maars in the Volcanic Eifel: only 10,000 years old! Swimming is turned a blind eye here, although there are signs stating that it is not allowed. There is no security and there are no facilities such as showers or changing rooms. There is a toilet. It is only 21 meters deep at the deepest point. You can sit quietly on the side, but when it is very hot, it can get quite busy. You have a small area on the beaches” where you can stand. It doesn’t go down as abruptly as in the other maars