View source for Eifel

{{short description|Low mountain range in Germany}}
{{Distinguish|Eiffel (disambiguation){{!}}Eiffel}}
{{Infobox mountain
| name=
| map_image=Eifel - Deutsche Mittelgebirge, Serie A-de.png
| map_caption=Map of the Eifel
| photo=
| photo_caption=
| country= {{hlist|Germany|Belgium|Luxembourg}}
| subdivision1_type= States
| subdivision1= {{hlist|[[Rhineland-Palatinate]]|[[North Rhine-Westphalia]]}}
| parent= [[Rhenish Slate Mountains]]
| location=
| geology= {{hlist|[[slate]]|[[limestone]]|[[quartzite]]|[[sandstone]]|[[basalt]]}}
| area_km2= 5300
| orogeny=[[Variscan orogeny|Variscan]]
| highest=[[Hohe Acht]]
| elevation= {{Höhe|747|DE-NHN|link=true }} ({{convert|747|m|ft|disp=output only|abbr=on}})
| length_km= 100
| range_coordinates= {{coord|50.39|N|6.87|E|type:mountain_region:DE|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates= 
}}

[[Image:Booser Doppelmaar.jpg|thumb|400px|Eifel scenery]]
[[File:Laacher See vom Lydiaturm in Daemmerung.jpg|thumb|400px|View of the [[Laacher See]], one of the lakes in the Volcanic Eifel]]

The '''Eifel''' ({{IPA|de|ˈaɪfl̩|lang|De-Eifel.ogg}}; {{langx|lb|Äifel}}, {{IPA|lb|ˈæːɪ̯fəl|pron}}) is a low [[mountain range]] in western [[Germany]], eastern [[Belgium]] and northern [[Luxembourg]]. It occupies parts of southwestern [[North Rhine-Westphalia]], northwestern [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] and the southern area of the [[German-speaking Community of Belgium]].

The Eifel is part of the [[Rhenish Massif]]; within its northern portions lies the [[Eifel National Park]]. The [[Eifelian]] stage in geological history is named after the region because rocks of that period reach the surface in the Eifel at the Wetteldorf Richtschnitt outcrop.

The inhabitants of the Eifel are known as '''Eiflers'''<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2020-11-01|title=Eifler|url=https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Eifler_Einwohner_Eifel|website=[[Duden]]}}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref> or '''Eifelers'''.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2020-11-01|title=Eifeler|url=https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Eifeler_Einwohner_Eifel|website=[[Duden]]}}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref>

==Geography==

=== Location ===
[[Image:Eifel lage u ausdehnung v3.png|thumb|left|150px|Location of the Eifel in Germany]]
The Eifel lies between the cities of [[Aachen]] to the north, [[Trier]] to the south and [[Koblenz]] to the east. It descends in the northeast along a line from Aachen via [[Düren]] to [[Bonn]] into the [[Lower Rhine Bay]]. In the east and south it is bounded by the valleys of the [[Rhine]] and the [[Moselle]]. To the west it transitions in Belgium and Luxembourg into the geologically related [[Ardennes]] and the Luxembourg [[Ösling]]. In the north it is limited by the [[Jülich-Zülpicher Börde]]. Within Germany it lies within the states of Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia; in the [[Benelux]] the area of [[Eupen]], [[St. Vith]] and Luxembourg. Its highest point is the volcanic cone of the [[Hohe Acht]] ({{Convert|746.9|m|ft|abbr=on|disp=semicolon}}). Originally the Carolingian [[Eifelgau]] only covered the smaller region roughly around the sources of the rivers [[Ahr]], [[Kyll]], [[Urft (river)|Urft]] and [[Erft]]. Its name was more recently transferred to the entire region.

=== Topography ===
The Eifel belongs to that part of the Rhenish Massif whose rolling plateau is categorised as [[peneplain]] highland (''Rumpfhochland''), which was formed by the [[erosion]] of the ancient mountains of the [[Variscan orogeny|Variscan mountain building phase]] and subsequent further uplifting. Individual mountain chains, up to {{Convert|700|m|abbr=on}}, such as the [[Schneifel]] and [[High Fens]], run through the western part of the plateau. In the eastern part, in the [[High Eifel]] and [[Volcanic Eifel]], individual [[cinder cone]]s and basalt ''[[kuppe]]n'', like the [[Hohe Acht]] and the [[Ernstberg]], emerged as a result of [[volcanicity]] in the [[Tertiary (period)|Tertiary]] and [[Quaternary]] periods and rise above the undulating countryside.

The rivers draining into the [[Moselle]], [[Rhine]] and [[Meuse]], such as the [[Our (river)|Our]], [[Kyll]], [[Ahr]], [[Brohlbach (Rhine)|Brohlbach]] and [[Rur (river)|Rur]], have cut deep into the edge of the Eifel and formed larger valleys.

The Eifel covers an area of {{Convert|5,300|km2|mi2|abbr=on}} and is geographically divided into the North and South Eifel. It is further divided into several natural regional landscapes, some with further subdivisions.

=== National and nature parks ===
Since 2004, part of the [[North Eifel]] has been designated as the [[Eifel National Park]]. There are also four [[nature park]]s in the Eifel (from north to south): [[Rhineland Nature Park|Rhineland]], [[High Fens-Eifel Nature Park|High Fens-Eifel]], [[Volcanic Eifel Nature Park|Volcanic Eifel]], and [[German-Luxembourg Nature Park|South Eifel]], although the first extends only partly into the northern foothills of the Eifel.

=== Divisions ===
==== Overview ====
There are several distinct chains within the Eifel:

* The northernmost parts are called [[North Eifel]] ("Nordeifel") including [[Rur Eifel]] the origin of the river Rur, [[High Fens]] ("Hohes Venn") and the Limestone Eifel (''Kalkeifel'').
* The northeastern part is called [[Ahr Hills]]<ref name="Elkins">Elkins, T.H. (1972). ''Germany'' (3rd ed.). London: Chatto & Windus, 1972. {{ASIN|B0011Z9KJA}}.</ref> ({{langx|de|Ahrgebirge}}) and rise north of the [[Ahr]] river in the district of [[Ahrweiler (district)|Ahrweiler]].
* South of the Ahr is the [[High Eifel]]<ref name="Elkins"/> (''Hohe Eifel''), with the [[Hohe Acht]] (747 m) being the highest mountain of the Eifel.
* In the west, on the [[Belgium|Belgian]] border, the hills are known as [[Schneifel]] (part of the ''Schnee-Eifel'' or "Snowy Eifel"), rising up to {{Convert|698|m|abbr=on}}. Also in the west, by the Belgian and [[Luxembourg]] border, the region is known as [[Islek]] (Aquilania).
* The southern half of the Eifel is lower. It is cut by several rivers running north–south towards the Moselle. The largest of these is the [[Kyll]], and the hills on either side of this river are called the [[Kyllwald]].
* In the south the Eifel is concluded by the '''[[Voreifel]]''' above the Moselle.

Since 2004, about {{Convert|110|km2|mi2|abbr=on}} of the Eifel within the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia have been protected as the [[Eifel National Park]] [[nature reserve]].

==== Natural regional divisions ====
Up to 1960, the German part of the Eifel, which belonged to the natural region of the [[Rhenish Massif]], was, according to the [[Handbook of the Natural Region Divisions of Germany]], divided into three [[natural regions of Germany|major unit (i.e. two-digit) groups]] and these were subdivided into (three-digit) major natural units.<ref name="Meynen">E. Meynen, J. Schmithüsen et al.: ''[[Handbook of the Natural Region Divisions of Germany]]'' Bundesanstalt für Landeskunde, Remagen/Bad Godesberg, 1953–1962 (9&nbsp;issued in 8&nbsp;books, 1:1,000,000 scale map with major units, 1960).</ref><ref>[http://geographie.giersbeck.de/naturraeumlichegliederung.htm online map of the major unit groups and list of major units]</ref> These divisions were subsequently refined in the [[Handbook of the Natural Region Divisions of Germany#Individual map sheets|''individual map sheets'']] ''Trier/Mettendorf'', ''Cochem'' (both 1974) and ''Cologne/Aachen'' (1978) as follows;<ref name="map sheet 123">Ewald Glässer: ''Geographische Landesaufnahme: [[Handbook of the Natural Region Divisions of Germany#Individual map sheets|the natural regional units on map sheet 122/123]] Cologne/Aachen.'' Bundesanstalt für Landeskunde, Bad Godesberg, 1978. →&nbsp;[http://geographie.giersbeck.de/karten/123.pdf online map] (pdf; 8.7&nbsp;MB)</ref><ref name="map sheet 137">Heinz Fischer, Richard Graafen: ''Geographische Landesaufnahme: [[Handbook of the Natural Region Divisions of Germany#Individual map sheets|the natural regional units on map sheet 136/137]] Cochem.'' Bundesanstalt für Landeskunde, Bad Godesberg, 1974. →&nbsp;[http://geographie.giersbeck.de/karten/137.pdf online map] (pdf; 5.6&nbsp;MB)</ref><ref name="map sheet 149">Otmar Werle: ''Geographische Landesaufnahme: [[Handbook of the Natural Region Divisions of Germany#Einzelblätter|the natural regional units on map sheet 148/149]] Trier/Mettendorf.'' Bundesanstalt für Landeskunde, Bad Godesberg, 1974. →&nbsp;[http://geographie.giersbeck.de/karten/149.pdf online map] (pdf; 4.5&nbsp;MB)</ref> for the most detailed natural region divisions in Rhineland-Palatinate, fact files were produced by the state information system of the conservation administration (LANDIS):{{GeoQuelle|DE-RP|LANDIS-Karte}}{{GeoQuelle|DE-RP|LANDIS-SB-GL|27|SUFFIX=(East Eifel)}}{{GeoQuelle|DE-RP|LANDIS-SB-GL|28|SUFFIX=(West Eifel)}}

* 56 '''''[[Venn Foreland]]'''''
** 560 Venn Foothills
*** 560.0 Kornelimünster Venn Foreland
** 561 Aachen Hills
*** 561.0 Stolberg Valley
*** 561.1 Aachen Bowl
*** 561.2 [[Aachen Forest]]
*** 561.3 Vaals Hills
* 28 '''''[[West Eifel]]'''''{{GeoQuelle|DE-RP|LANDIS-SB-GL|28|SUFFIX=(West Eifel)}}
** 280 Islek and Ösling <small>(Designation in the map sheets of Cochem and Trier; Handbook: ''Islek'')</small>
*** 280.0 Eastern Islek
**** 280.00 Lascheid Plateau
**** 280.01 Middle Prüm Valley
*** 280.1 Central [[Ösling|Islek]]
**** 280.10 Arzfeld Plateau
**** 280.11 Neuerburg Enz Valley
**** 280.12 Karlshausen Plateau
*** 280.2 Western Islek
**** 280.20 [[Leidenborn]] Plateau
**** 280.21 [[Winterscheid]] Plateau
*** 280.3 Middle Our Valley
**** 280.30 Urb-Vianden Our Valley <small>(Cochem map sheet; Trier map sheet: ''Vianden Our Valley'')</small>
**** 280.31 Genting Our Valley
*** 280.4 Southern Schneifel Foreland
*** 280.5 Islek Foothills
** 281 Western High Eifel
*** 281.0 [[Schneifel]] Ridge
*** 281.1 Northern Schneifel Foreland
**** 281.10 [[Brandscheid]] Schneifel Foreland
**** 281.11 [[Manderfeld]] Schneifel Foreland
*** 281.2 Grenzwald Ridge
**** 281.20 Ommerscheid
**** 281.21 [[Losheim]] Forest
*** 281.3 Oberes Kyll Valley
*** 281.4 Duppach Ridge
** 282 [[Rur Eifel]]
*** 282.0 Düren Eifel Foothills
*** 282.1 [[Hürtgen]] Plateau
*** 282.2 [[Monschau]] Hedge Land
*** 282.3 [[Rur (river)|Rur]]-[[Urft]]-[[Olef]] Valleys
**** 282.30 Monschau-Rurberg Rur Valley
**** 282.31 Gemünd Urft and Olef Valleys
**** 282.32 [[Urftsee]] Region
**** 282.33 [[Rursee]] Region
**** 282.34 Heimbach-Maubach Rur Valley
*** 282.4 Monschau-Hellenthal Forest Plateau
*** 282.5 [[Dreiborn Plateau]]
*** 282.6 Hollerath-Broich Plateau<ref>A boundary line between the two plateaux is not shown on either of the two map sheets, however the Hollerath Plateau lies largely on the Cochem map sheet Cochem and the Broich Plateau on the Cologne map sheet.</ref>
**** 282.60 Hollerath Plateau
**** 282.61 Broich Plateau
*** 282.7 Wildenburg Plateau
*** 282.8 [[Kermeter|Kermeter Forest]]
** 283 [[High Fens]]
*** 283.0 Venn Plateau
**** 283.00 Lammersdorf Fen Plateau
*** 283.1 Northern Venn Foothills
**** 283.10 Roetgen Venn Foothills
*** Roer Spring Plateau (entirely in Belgium)
*** Upland of the Upper Warche (''Southern Venn Foreland''; entirely in Belgium)
** Eastern High [[Ardennes]] (entirely in Belgium)
*** St. Vith Plateau
* 27 '''''East Eifel'''''{{GeoQuelle|DE-RP|LANDIS-SB-GL|27|SUFFIX=(East Eifel)}}
** 270 [[Moselle Eifel]] <small>(Lower Eifel)<ref>addendum from the Handbook</ref></small>
*** 270.0 Eastern Moselle Eifel
**** 270.00 [[Elz (Rhine)|Elz]] Valley
**** 270.01 [[Kaisersesch]] Eifel Perimeter
**** 270.02 [[Gevenich]] Plateau
*** 270.1 Lower [[Üßbach]] Valley
*** 270.2 [[Kondelwald]]
*** 270.3 Offling Plateau
*** 270.4 Middle [[Lieser (river)|Lieser]] Valley
*** 270.5 Southern [[Volcanic Eifel]]
**** 270.50 Daun-Manderscheid Volcanic Hills
**** 270.51 Dauner Maar Region
*** 270.6 Wittlich Hedge Land <small>(Cochem map sheet; Trier map sheet: ''Heckenland'')</small>
**** 270.60 Naurather Horst
**** 270.61 Arenrath Plateau
**** 270.62 Littgen Plateau
*** 270.7 [[Meulenwald]]
** 271 [[Eastern High Eifel]]
*** 271.0 Olbrück Eifel Perimeter
*** 271.1 [[Kempenich]] Tuff Plateau
*** 271.2/3 Central Eastern High Eifel
**** 271.2 [[Hohe Acht]]/Nitz-Nette Upland
***** 271.20 Hohe Acht Upland
***** 271.21 Nitz-Nette Forest
**** 271.3 [[Elzbach]] Heights
*** 271.4 Southwest foothills of the Eastern High Eifel
**** 271.40 Trierbach-Lieser Source Upland
**** 271.41 [[Üßbach]] Upland
**** 271.42 [[Müllenbach]] Riedelland
**** 271.43 Middle [[Üßbach]] Valley
** 272 [[Ahr Hills|Ahr Eifel]]
*** 272.0 [[Reifferscheid]] Upland
*** 272.1 Northern [[Ahr]] Upland
*** 272.2 Middle Ahr Valley
**** 272.20 Dümpelfeld Ahr Valley
**** 272.21 Recher Ahreng Valley
*** 272.3 Southern Ahr Upland
** 274 Münster Eifel Forest and Northeastern Foot of the Eifel <small>(Cologne map sheet; Cochem map sheet: ''Northeastern Eifel Perimeter''; Handbook: ''Münster Eifel Forest'')</small>
*** 274.0 [[Münstereifel]] Valley
*** 274.1 [[Münstereifel Forest]] (Flamersheim Forest)
*** 274.2 [[Swist]] Eifel Foothills (Rheinbach Forest)
*** 274.3 [[Königsfeld, Rhineland-Palatinate|Königsfeld]] Eifel Foothills <small>(Cochem map sheet; Cologne map sheet and LANIS: ''Königsfeld Rhine-Eifel Foot'')</small>
** 275 [[Mechernich]] [[Pre-Eifel]]
*** 275.0 [[Wollersheim]] Scarpland<ref name="Boundary 272.0/2">Between natural regions 272.0 and 272.2 on the Cologne/Aachen map sheet no boundary is shown. It probably runs from [[Eicks]] via [[Kommern]] to [[Firmenich (Mechernich)|Firmenich]].</ref>
*** 275.1 Vlatten Hills
*** 275.2 [[Mechernich]] Uplands<ref name="Boundary 272.0/2" />
*** 275.3 Antweil Basin
*** 275.4 Billig Ridge
** 276 Limestone Eifel
*** 276.0 Sötenich Limestone Basin
*** 276.1 Blankenheim and Zingsheim Forest<ref>In the Handbook on the Cologne map sheet the numbering of the Blankenheim and Zingsheim Forests has been reversed.</ref>
**** 276.10 Zingsheim Forest
**** 276.11 Blankenheim Forest
*** 276.2 Blankenheim Limestone Ridge
*** 276.3 Eichholz Ridge
*** 276.4 Rohr Limestone Basin
*** 276.5 [[Dollendorf]] Limestone Basin
*** 276.6 Senkenbusch
*** 276.7 [[Ahrdorf]]-Hillesheim Limestone Basin
**** 276.70 Ahrdorf Limestone Basin
**** 276.71 [[Hillesheim]] Limestone Basin
*** 276.8 Northern [[Volcanic Eifel]]
**** 276.80 [[Kyll]] Volcanic Eifel
**** 276.81 [[Dockweiler]] Volcanic Eifel
*** 276.9 Southern Limestone Basin
**** 276.90 [[Gerolstein]] Limestone Basin
**** 276.91 [[Prüm Limestone Basin]]
** 277 [[Waldeifel|Kyllburg Waldeifel]]
*** 277.0 [[Neidenbach]] Sandstone Plateau
*** 277.1 Middle Kyll Valley
*** 277.2 [[Kyllburg]] Forest Ridge
**** 277.20 Prümscheid
**** 277.21 Wittlich Forest
*** 277.3 Salm Hills

The [[Bundesamt für Naturschutz|BfN]] groups the 3 (two-digit) major unit groups under the combined group designated '''''D45'''''.

=== Mountains and hills ===
{{main|List of mountains and hills of the Eifel}}
[[File:HoheachtRassberg.jpg|thumb|View from the [[Raßberg]] of the striking dome of the [[Hohe Acht]]]]
[[File:Erresberg.jpg|thumb|View of the [[Ernstberg]] from the Mäuseberg to the southeast]]
[[File:Nürburg aus der Luft.jpg|thumb|Castle hill of [[Nürburg (castle)|Nürburg]] from the air]]
[[File:Arembergberg.jpg|thumb|The [[Aremberg (mountain)|Aremberg]] and the village of [[Aremberg]] seen from the south-southeast]]
[[File:Hochsimmer (Ostansicht).JPG|thumb|The [[Hochsimmer]] from the east-northeast]]
[[File:Hochthürmer I von Houverath.JPG|thumb|View from [[Houverath (Bad Münstereifel)|Houverath]] looking south to the [[Hochthürmerberg]]]]
[[File:Bremm und Calmont 0016.jpg|thumb|View over the [[Moselle]] and past the village of Dorf [[Bremm]] to the [[Calmont (hill)|Calmont]]]]

Apart from its valleys, the Eifel is a gently rolling plateau from which elongated mountain ridges and individual mountains rise. The majority of these summits do not attain a great height above the surrounding terrain. Several, however, like the [[Schwarzer Mann]] in the [[Schneifel|Schnee-Eifel]], stand out from a long way off as long, forested ridges or clearly isolated mountaintops.

The highest mountain in the whole Eifel is the [[Hohe Acht]] at 746.9&nbsp;m. It is the only Eifel summit above 700&nbsp;m. However, many peaks, mountain ridges and large regions, such as the ''Zitterwald'' reach heights of over 600&nbsp;m. These include two dozen peaks with good all-round views, of which many have an [[observation tower]]. From north to south they are: the Michelsberg, Häuschen and Teufelsley in the north; the Adert, Hohe Acht and Raßberg in the northeast; the Hochkel, Nerotherkopf, Dietzenley and ruins of the [[Kasselburg]] in the central area; the Prümer Kalvarienberg, Hartkopf and Prümer Kopf in the east, the Steineberg and Mäuseberg near Daun, the Hochsimmer and Scheidkopf near Mayen; the Eickelslay and Absberg in the southeast; and the Krautscheid and Hohe Kuppe in the southwest.

The mountains and hills of the Eifel include the following (in order of height in metres above [[Normalnull|sea level]]):
{{toptextcells}}
{| class="wikitable sortable toptextcells"
! width="20%"| Mountain/hill
! width="5%"| Height<br /><small>(m)</small>
! width="25%"| Lowest level<br />natural region
! width="5%"| No.<br /><small>(natural region)</small>
! width="20%"| Natural region<br />major unit
|-
| [[Hohe Acht]]
| 746.9
| Hohe Acht Upland
| style="text-align:center" | 271.20
| [[Eastern High Eifel]]
|-
| [[Ernstberg]] ''(Erresberg)''
| 699.8
| Prümscheid
| style="text-align:center" | 277.20
| [[Waldeifel|Kyllburger Waldeifel]]
|-
|unnamed summit<ref name="NK">Unnamed summits (sorted by height):
*699.1 m: highest point in the [[Western High Eifel]]; just under 1.5&nbsp;km northeast of the summit of the [[Schwarzer Mann]]
*651.3 m: 1.2&nbsp;km north-northeast of [[Gondelsheim (Weinsheim)|Gondelsheim]]
*622.7 m: highest point of the Dreiborn Plateau; on the territory of [[Schöneseiffen]], in the ''Hollerscheid''; 120&nbsp;m northwest of the B&nbsp;258
*527.8 m: in the [[Kermeter]]; near the southern edge of [[Wolfgarten]]
*434.1 m: in the [[Moselle Hills]]; 2.6&nbsp;km west-southwest of [[Osann-Monzel]]</ref> <small>(near ''Schwarzer Mann'')</small>
| 699.1
| [[Schneifel]]<nowiki />rücken
| align="center" | 281.0{{0}}
| [[Western High Eifel]]
|-
| [[Schwarzer Mann]]
| 697.8
| Schneifel Ridge
| style="text-align:center" | 281.0{{0}}
| Western High Eifel
|-
| [[Botrange]]
| 694.24
| Venn Plateau
| style="text-align:center" | 283.0{{0}}
| [[High Fens]] <small>(Belgium)</small>
|-
| [[Scharteberg]]
| 691.4
| Prümscheid
| style="text-align:center" | 277.20
| Kyllburger Waldeifel
|-
| [[Weißer Stein (Eifel)|Weißer Stein]]
| <!--c.-->690
| Monschau-Hellenthal Forest Plateau
| style="text-align:center" | 282.4{{0}}
| [[Rur Eifel]]
|-
| [[Prümscheid (mountain)|Prümscheid]]
| <!--c.-->682
| Prümscheid
| style="text-align:center" | 277.20
| Kyllburger Waldeifel
|-
| Castle hill of the [[Nürburg (castle)|Nürburg]]
| 676.5
| Hohe Acht Upland
| style="text-align:center" | 271.20
| Eastern High Eifel
|-
| [[Hochkelberg]]
| 674.9
| Trierbach-Lieser Spring Upland
| style="text-align:center" | 271.40
| Eastern High Eifel
|-
| [[Raßberg]]
| 663.8
| Hohe Acht Upland
| style="text-align:center" | 271.20
| Eastern High Eifel
|-
| [[Steling]]
| 658.3
| Venn Plateau
| style="text-align:center" | 283.0{{0}}
| High Fens <small>(Belgium)</small>
|-
| Döhmberg
| 653.2
| Dockweil Volcanic Eifel
| style="text-align:center" | 276.81
| Limestone Eifel<ref>[http://map1.naturschutz.rlp.de/mapserver_lanis/index.php?mapxy=340404.5570330&scale=10000&layers=tk_sw,landschaften&lang=de Map view of Döhmberg]</ref>{{fcn|date=June 2025}}
|-
| [[Nerother Kopf]]
| 651.7
| Daun-Manderscheid Volcanoes
| style="text-align:center" | 270.50
| [[Moselle Eifel]]
|-
| unnamed summit<ref name="NK" /> <small>(near [[Gondelsheim (Weinsheim)|Gondelsheim]])</small>
| 651.3<ref>[http://map1.naturschutz.rlp.de/mapserver_lanis/index.php?mapxy=322516.5568779&scale=11715&layers=tk_sw,landschaften&lang=de Map view of unnamed 651.3]</ref>{{fcn|date=June 2025}}
| Duppach Ridge
| style="text-align:center" | 281.4{{0}}
| Western High Eifel
|-
| Radersberg
| 637
| Dockweil Volcanic Eifel
| style="text-align:center" | 276.81
| Limestone Eifel<ref>[http://map1.naturschutz.rlp.de/mapserver_lanis/index.php?mapxy=344610.5571381&scale=2500&layers=tk_sw,landschaften&lang=de Map view of Radersberg]</ref>{{fcn|date=June 2025}}
|-
| [[Apert]]
| 631.3
| Kyll Volcanic Eifel
| style="text-align:center" | 276.80
| Limestone Eifel
|-
| [[Aremberg (mountain)|Aremberg]]
| 623.8
| Kempenich Tuff Plateau
| style="text-align:center" | 271.1{{0}}
| Eastern High Eifel
|-
| unnamed summit<ref name="NK" /> <small>(near [[Schöneseiffen]])</small>
| 622.7
| [[Dreiborn Plateau]]
| style="text-align:center" | 282.5{{0}}
| Rur Eifel
|-
| [[Dietzenley]]
| 617.6
| Prümscheid
| style="text-align:center" | 277.20
| Kyllburger Waldeifel<ref>On the Cochem map the Dietzenley is shown as a perimeter mountain of the adjacent bowl: 276.90 Gerolsteiner Kalkmulde →&nbsp;Limestone Eifel</ref>
|-
| Asseberg
| 601.5
| Prümscheid
| style="text-align:center" | 277.20
| Kyllburger Waldeifel
|-
| [[Hardtkopf (Eifel)|Hardtkopf]]
| 601.5
| Southern Schneifel Foreland
| style="text-align:center" | 280.4{{0}}
| Islek and Ösling<ref>Southeastern edge of the 276.91 Prümer Kalkmulde →&nbsp;Limestone Eifel</ref>
|-
| Alterfaß/Alter Voß
| 589.9
| Dockweil Volcanic Eifel
| style="text-align:center" | 276.81
| Limestone Eifel<ref>[http://map1.naturschutz.rlp.de/mapserver_lanis/index.php?mapxy=337561.5568441&scale=2500&layers=tk_sw,landschaften&lang=de Map view of Alter Voß]</ref>{{fcn|date=June 2025}}
|-
| [[Heidenköpfe (Eifel)|Heidenköpfe]]
| <!--up to c.--> 595
| Eichholz Ridge
| style="text-align:center" | 276.3{{0}}
| Limestone Eifel
|-
| [[Hochsimmer]]
| 587.9
| Nitz-Nette Forest
| style="text-align:center" | 271.21
| Eastern High Eifel
|-
| [[Michelsberg (Eifel)|Michelsberg]]
| 586.1
| Northern Ahr Hills
| style="text-align:center" | 272.1{{0}}
| [[Ahr Hills|Ahr Eifel]]<ref>The Michelsberg rises on the northwestern perimeter of the 274.1 Münstereifel Forest →&nbsp;Münstereifel Forest and Northeastern Foot of the Eifel</ref>
|-
| Langschoß
| 583.5
| Lammersdorf Venn Plateau
| style="text-align:center" | 283.0{{0}}
| High Fens<!--50°39'57.59"N 06°17'14.58"E-->
|-
| [[Gänsehals]]
| 575.3
| Kempenich Tuff Plateau
| style="text-align:center" | 271.1{{0}}
| Eastern High Eifel
|-
| [[Eigart]]
| 565.5
| [[Dreiborn Plateau]]
| style="text-align:center" | 282.5{{0}}
| Rur Eifel
|-
| [[Hochstein (Eifel)|Hochstein]]
| 563.0
| Ettringer Vulkankuppen
| style="text-align:center" | 292.01
| [[Lower Middle Rhine region]]
|-
| Mäuseberg
| 561.2
| Daun Maar Region
| style="text-align:center" | 270.51
| Moselle Eifel<ref>[http://map1.naturschutz.rlp.de/mapserver_lanis/index.php?mapxy=345938.5560389&scale=9999&layers=tk_sw,landschaften&lang=de Map view of Mäuseberg]</ref>{{fcn|date=June 2025}}
|-
| [[Stromberg (Ripsdorf)|Stromberg]]
| 558.2
| Eichholz Ridge
| style="text-align:center" | 276.3{{0}}
| Limestone Eifel
|-
| [[Rockeskyller Kopf]]
| 554.6
| Dockweil Volcanic Eifel
| style="text-align:center" | 276.81
| Limestone Eifel
|-
| [[Hoher List]]
| 549.1
| Daun Maar Region
| style="text-align:center" | 270.51
| Moselle Eifel
|-
| Roßbüsch
| 538.6<ref>[http://map1.naturschutz.rlp.de/mapserver_lanis/index.php?mapxy=330525.5571412&scale=11715&layers=tk_sw,landschaften&lang=de Map view of Roßbüsch]</ref>{{fcn|date=June 2025}}
| Kyll Volcanic Eifel
| style="text-align:center" | 276.80
| Limestone Eifel
|-
| Knippberg
| 537.3
| [[Münstereifel Forest]]
| style="text-align:center" | 274.1{{0}}
| Münstereifel Forest and Northeastern Foot of the Eifel
|-
| Kuhdorn
| 532.1<ref>[http://map1.naturschutz.rlp.de/mapserver_lanis/index.php?mapxy=333877.5567125&scale=10000&layers=tk_sw,landschaften&lang=de Map view of Kuhdorn]</ref>{{fcn|date=June 2025}}
| Kyll Volcanic Eifel
| style="text-align:center" | 276.80
| Limestone Eifel<ref>In the border shown on the Cochem map, the Kuhdorn is shown as a perimeter hill of the bowl to the south: 276.90 Gerolsteiner Kalkmulde →&nbsp;Limestone Eifel</ref>
|-
| [[Burberg]]
| 528.5
| Salm Hill Country
| style="text-align:center" | 277.3{{0}}
| Kyllburger Waldeifel
|-
| unnamed summit<ref name="NK" /> <small>(near [[Wolfgarten]])</small>
| 527.8
| [[Kermeter|Kermeter Forest]]
| style="text-align:center" | 282.8{{0}}
| Rur Eifel
|-
| [[Wildbretshügel]]
| 525.3
| Kermeter Forest
| style="text-align:center" | 282.8{{0}}
| Rur Eifel
|-
| [[Kalvarienberg (Alendorf)|Kalvarienberg]]
| 522.8
| Dollendorfer Kalkmulde
| style="text-align:center" | 276.5{{0}}
| Limestone Eifel
|-
| [[Verbrannter Berg (Eifel)|Verbrannter Berg]]
| 516.2
| Kermeter Forest
| style="text-align:center" | 282.8{{0}}
| Rur Eifel
|-
| [[Kopnück]] near [[Kop Nück]]
| 514.4
| Northern Ahr Hills
| style="text-align:center" | 272.1{{0}}
| Ahr Eifel<ref>On the Cologne and Cochem maps the Kopnick is part of the valley system to the northwest: 274.0 Münstereifel Valley →&nbsp;Münstereifel Forest and Northeastern Foot of the Eifel</ref>
|-
| Rother Hecke
| 510.5<ref>[http://map1.naturschutz.rlp.de/mapserver_lanis/index.php?mapxy=331456.5567486&scale=5707&layers=tk_sw,landschaften&lang=de Map view of Rother Hecke]</ref>{{fcn|date=June 2025}}
| Kyll Volcanic Eifel
| style="text-align:center" | 276.80
| Limestone Eifel
|-
| [[Häuschen]]
| 506.5
| Southern Ahr Hills
| style="text-align:center" | 272.3{{0}}
| Ahr Eifel
|-
| [[Hochthürmerberg|Hochthürmen]]
| 499.9
| Northern Ahr Hills
| style="text-align:center" | 272.1{{0}}
| Ahr Eifel
|-
| [[Teufelsley (Rhineland-Palatinate)|Teufelsley]]
| 495.9
| Southern Ahr Hills
| style="text-align:center" | 272.3{{0}}
| Ahr Eifel
|-
| Krufter Ofen
| 463.1
| Laacher Kuppenland
| style="text-align:center" | 292.0{{0}}
| Lower Middle Rhine region
|-
| [[Kellerberg (Meulen Forest)|Kellerberg]]
| 448.8
| Naurather Horst
| style="text-align:center" | 270.60
| Moselle Eifel<ref>To the southwest and not far from the Kellerberg it joins the 270.7 Meulen Forest →&nbsp;Moselle Eifel</ref>
|-
| [[Herkelstein]]
| 434.5
| Mechernich Upland and Hill Country
| style="text-align:center" | 275.2{{0}}
| Mechernich Voreifel<ref>The Herkelstein lies orographically,{{jargon inline|date=June 2025}} because it is north of the Landesstraße 165, in the eastern part of the Mechernich Upland and Hill Country, but is shown on the Cologne map as a perimeter hill of the southeastern and neighbouring unit: 276.0 Sötenicher Kalkmulde →&nbsp;Limestone Eifel</ref>
|-
| unnamed summit<ref name="NK" /> <small>(near [[Osann-Monzel]])</small>
| 434.1
| [[Moselle Hills]]
| style="text-align:center" | 250.2{{0}}
| [[Moselle Valley]]
|-
| [[Stockert (hill)|Stockert]]
| 433.9
| Mechernich Upland and Hill Country
| style="text-align:center" | 275.2{{0}}
| Mechernich Voreifel<ref>The Stockert is orographically analogous like its western neighbour, the Herkelstein; in that it is shown on the Cologne map as part of the next but one unit: 274.0 Münstereifel Valley →&nbsp;Münstereifel Forest and Northeastern Foot of the Eifel</ref>
|-
| [[Veitskopf]]
| 428.1
| Laacher Kuppenland
| style="text-align:center" | 292.0{{0}}
| Lower Middle Rhine region
|-
| [[Monzeler Hüttenkopf]]
| 423.4
| Moselle Hills
| style="text-align:center" | 250.2{{0}}
| Moselle Valley
|-
| [[Burgberg (Bergstein)|Burgberg]]
| 400.8
| Hürtgen Plateau
| style="text-align:center" | 282.1{{0}}
| Rur Eifel
|-
| [[Thelenberg]]
|400.2
| Laacher Kuppenland
| style="text-align:center" | 292.0{{0}}
| Lower Middle Rhine region
|-
| [[Sonnenberg (Eifel)|Sonnenberg]]
| 393.3
| Kermeter Forest
| style="text-align:center" | 282.8{{0}}
| Rur Eifel<ref>The Sonnenberg is orographically separated by the Heimbach valley from the rest of the Kermeter Forest to the south; but is shown on the Cologne map as belonging to the neighbouring valley system: 282.33 Rurseegebiet →&nbsp;Rur Eifel</ref>
|-
| [[Calmont (hill)|Calmont]]
| 378.4
| Gevenich Plateau
| style="text-align:center" | 270.02
| Moselle Eifel
|-
| [[Bausenberg]]
| 339.8
| Königsfelder Eifelrand
| style="text-align:center" | 274.3{{0}}
| Münstereifel Forest and Northeastern Foot of the Eifel
|-
| [[Landskrone (Ahr)|Landskrone]]
| 271.7
| Oberwinter Terraces and Hills
| style="text-align:center" | 292.23
| Lower Middle Rhine region
|}

For a list of these and other Eifel mountains and hills see the [[List of mountains and hills of the Eifel]].

Many of these prominent points are linked by the [[Eifel-Ardennes Green Route]], which crosses the east and south of the region, the [[German Volcano Route]], the [[German Wildlife Route]] and the South Eifel Holiday Route.

=== Water bodies ===
[[File:Pruem waxweiler.jpg|thumb|The Prüm]]
[[File:Rurtalsperre1.jpg|thumb|Upper basin of the Rur Reservoir between [[Einruhr]] and [[Rurberg]]]]

Due to its moist and mild Atlantic climate, the Eifel is bisected by numerous streams and small rivers. Impoundment of these streams, especially in the North Eifel has led to the creation of very large [[reservoir]], such as the [[Rur Reservoir|Rursee]], which is the second largest in Germany by volume, and the [[Urft Reservoir|Urftsee]].

A feature of the Eifel are its natural lakes of volcanic origin. The largest, the [[Laacher See]], is a collapsed, water-filled [[caldera (crater)|caldera]], whilst the many [[maar]]s are water-filled volcanic eruption bowls. The largest maar lake is the [[Pulvermaar]]. The [[Meerfelder Maar]] has an even bigger basin, but three-quarters of it has silted up.

==== Rivers and streams ====
The many rivers and streams of the Eifel drain into the [[North Sea]] via the great rivers outside of the Eifel: the [[Rhine]] (and its tributary, the [[Moselle]]) and the [[Meuse]] (with its tributaries, the [[Rur (river)|Rur]] and [[Ourthe]]). The rivers and streams within the mountain range, together with their larger tributaries, are as follows:

{{columns-start}}
'''[[Rhine]] tributaries:'''
* [[Moselle]] <small>(outside of the Eifel)</small>
** [[Sauer (Moselle)|Sauer]]
*** [[Prüm (river)|Prüm]]
**** [[Nims (river)|Nims]]
**** [[Enz (Prüm)|Enz]]
**** [[Alfbach (Prüm)|Alfbach]]
**** [[Mehlenbach]]
*** [[Our (river)]]
**** [[Irsen (Our)|Irsen]]
**** [[Ihrenbach]]
** [[Kyll]]
** [[Salm (Moselle)|Salm]]
** [[Lieser (Moselle)|Lieser]]
*** [[Kleine Kyll]]
** [[Alf (river)|Alf]]
*** [[Üßbach]]
*** Sammetbach
** [[Elzbach]]
* [[Nette (Middle Rhine)|Nette]]
** [[Nitzbach]]
* [[Brohlbach (Rhine)|Brohlbach]]
* [[Vinxtbach]]
* [[Ahr]]
** [[Schaafbach]]
** [[Ahbach (Ahr)|Ahbach]]
** [[Trierbach]]
** [[Dreisbach (Ahr)|Dreisbach]]
** [[Armuthsbach]]
** [[Adenauer Bach|Adenauerbach]]
** [[Liersbach]]
** [[Sahrbach]]
** [[Vischelbach]]
** [[Leimersdorfer Bach]]
* [[Erft]]
** [[Swist]]
*** [[Eulenbach (Swistbach)|Eulenbach]]
** [[Veybach]] <small>''(Feybach)''</small>
*** Krebsbach
*** [[Kühlbach]]
{{column}}
'''[[Meuse]] tributaries:'''
* [[Rur (river)|Rur]]
** [[Perlenbachtal|Perlenbach]]
** [[Urft (river)|Urft]]
*** [[Olef (river)|Olef]]
**** [[Platißbach]]
***** [[Prether Bach]]
**** Reifferscheider Bach
**** Diefenbach
**** Rosselbach
*** [[Genfbach]]
*** [[Gillesbach (Urft)|Gillesbach]]
*** [[Kuttenbach]]
*** Laufbach
*** Wisselsbach
** [[Inde (river)|Inde]]
*** [[Vichtbach]]
* [[Ourthe]] <small>(outside Eifel)</small>
** [[Amel (river)|Amel]]
*** [[Warche]]
**** Warchenne
**** Bayehon
** [[Vesdre]] <small>''(Weser)''</small>
*** [[Hill (stream)|Hill]]
{{columns-end}}

==== Lakes and reservoirs ====
[[File:Talsperren zur Rur.jpg|thumb|Reservoirs of the Eifel that drain into the Rur]]
'''Reservoirs'''
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Bitburg Reservoir]]
* [[Weilerbach Reservoir]] ([[Freilingen (Blankenheim)|Freilinger See]])
* [[Kronenburg Reservoir]] ([[Dahlem, North Rhine-Westphalia|Kronenburger See]])
* [[Olef Reservoir]]
* [[Gileppe Reservoir]]
* [[Rur Reservoir]]
* [[Urft Reservoir]]
* [[Wehebach Reservoir]]
* [[Weser Reservoir]] ([[Weser (Ourthe)|Weser]], near [[Eupen]])
* [[Dreilägerbach Reservoir]]
* [[Perlenbach Reservoir]]
* [[Kall Reservoir]]
* [[Lake Bütgenbach]]
* [[Lake Robertville]]
* [[Madbach Reservoir]]
* [[Steinbach Reservoir (North Rhine-Westphalia)|Steinbach Reservoir]]
{{colend}}
'''Volcanic lakes'''
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Laacher See]]
* [[Pulvermaar]]
* [[Schalkenmehrener Maar]]
* [[Gemündener Maar]]
* [[Holzmaar]]
* [[Meerfelder Maar]]
* [[Weinfelder Maar]] or Totenmaar
* [[Ulmener Maar]]
* [[Eichholzmaar]]
* [[Windsborn Crater Lake]]
{{colend}}

==Geology==
Despite the interesting geology of the Eifel region, only three comprehensive geological accounts have been produced.<ref name="Marks2015"/> In 1822, Johann Steiniger published the first geological map of the area and, in 1853, the ''Geognostische Beschreibung der Eifel''.<ref name="Steininger1853"/> In 1915 [[Otto Follmann]] published a new account, adding to the extent of scientific understanding at that time, the ''Abriss der Geologie der Eifel'' ("Abstract of the geology of the Eifel region".<ref name="Marks2015" /><ref name="Follmann1918" /> In 1986, Wilhelm Meyer finally published the volume, ''Geologie der Eifel'' ("Geology of the Eifel"), whose fourth, revised, edition is now regarded as the standard work on the geology of the Eifel.<ref name="Marks2015" /><ref name="Meyer2013" />

The Eifel and its western continuation into Belgium, the [[Ardennes]], are the remains of a [[Variscan orogeny|Variscan]] [[truncated upland]], much of it 400&nbsp;million years old, that is part of the [[Rhenish Massif]] (''Rheinisches Schiefergebirge''). In the area of the Stavelot-Venn Saddle ([[Hohes Venn]]) are the oldest layers of rock, which originate from the [[Cambrian]] and are around 550&nbsp;million years old. The Eifel is one of the few volcanically active areas of Germany, as is evinced by numerous discharges of [[carbonic acid]], for example into the [[Laacher See]]. The last eruptions, which gave rise to the most recent [[maar]]s, occurred about 11,000&nbsp; years ago.

[[File:Schiefer anstehend.jpg|thumb|Dark [[argillaceous slate]] of the Siegen stage (deep Lower Devonian, between 410 and 405&nbsp;million years old), near Monschau in the northern Eifel]]
[[File:Richelsley.jpg|thumb|The [[Richelsley]], an erosion remnant of conglomerates of the Gedinne stage (deepest Lower Devonian, c. 415&nbsp;million years old), west of Monschau in the [[Belgian Eifel]]]]

=== Basement ===
The [[basement (geology)|basement]] in the Eifel, as in the other regions of the [[Rhenish Massif]], consists mainly of [[Devonian]] [[slate]]s, [[sandstone]]s and [[limestone]]s, laid down in an ocean south of the [[Euramerica|Old Red Continent]]<ref>Meyer, W. (1986). ''Geologie der Eifel''. Stuttgart: Schweizerbart'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung. {{ISBN|3-510-65127-8}}. p. 4.</ref> and folded and overthrust in the Variscan orogeny. Only on the northern edge of the Eifel, in the High Fens and its environs, do older rocks from the [[Cambrian]] and [[Ordovician]] outcrop. Rocks of the [[Carboniferous]] do not occur in the Eifel itself, but lie along its northern boundary in the region of [[Aachen]].

The Devonian rocks were deposited in an [[oceanic basin]], in which erosion debris was washed in from the north from the great north continent of [[Euramerica]] (''Laurussia'' or the ''Old Red Continent'') which was formed by [[Caledonian orogeny|Caledonian mountain building]] during the [[Silurian]]. From the end of the [[Lower Carboniferous]] the sea basin was caught up in the [[Variscan orogeny|Variscan mountain building]] process, pushed together and uplifted, and thus formed part of the Variscan mountain system that, in the Upper Carboniferous and [[Cisuralian|early Permian]], covered large areas of Europe.

The Eifel geological structures like main [[fold (geology)|folds]] and [[thrust fault|overthrusts]] can be traced in a southwest–northeast direction far beyond the Rhine valley.

=== Platform ===
Since that folding, the Eifel has largely remained part of the mainland. During the [[Permian]], after the end of the uplifting, the Variscan mountains were heavily eroded, leaving only a relatively flat, truncated upland. For a short time, and only partially, this was later flooded by the sea.

Depositions from the [[Triassic]] and [[Jurassic]] periods have survived in the so-called Eifel North-South Zone. This is a region of [[subsidence]], which runs from the [[Trier]] Bay in the south to the [[Lower Rhine Bay]] in the north. Through this zone existed at one time a sea link between north and south Central Europe. The remains of the sediments laid down at this time have survived to a greater extent in the ''Maubach-[[Mechernich]] Triassic Triangle'' in the north and in the ''Oberbettingen Triassic Graben'' in the area around [[Hillesheim (Eifel)|Hillesheim]] and [[Oberbettingen]].

In the Upper [[Cretaceous]] and during the [[Tertiary (period)|Tertiary]], the Eifel was inundated mainly from the north. Remains of Cretaceous rocks were discovered on the High Fens. Scattered patches of [[Oligocene]] deposits can be found there and in the Western Eifel.

From the [[Pliocene]] onwards, the Rhenish Massif, including the Eifel, experienced an uplift. This led to the streams and rivers cutting into the gently rolling landscape resulting in the present appearance of the low mountain range with its flat plateaus and deeply incised valleys.

Due to numerous recent research projects, climate changes since the [[last glacial period|last ice age]] can be traced in detail in the Eifel region.<ref>{{cite periodical |first1=H. Wolfgang |last1=Wagner |first2=Friederike |last2=Kremb-Wagner |first3=Martin |last3=Koziol |first4=Jörg F. W. |last4=Negendank|editor1-first=Peter |editor1-last=Rothe|periodical=Sammlung Geologischer Führer|title=Trier und Umgebung|edition=3rd|volume=60|publisher=Gebrüder Bornträger Verlagsbuchhandlung|location=Stuttgart|page=4|isbn=978-3-443-15094-5|date=2012|language=de}}</ref>

=== Volcanism ===
{{Main|Volcanic Eifel}}
[[File:Maria Laach Lake.JPG|thumb|The Laacher See in winter seen from the southwestern shore]]
[[File:Totenmaar weinfelder maar eifel.jpg|thumb|The Weinfelder Maar]]

[[Volcanism|Volcanic activity]] in the Eifel began 50&nbsp;million years ago and continues into the geological present. It created numerous volcanic structures, lava flows and extensive layers of volcanic [[ejecta]] made of [[tuff]] and [[pumice]], which have formed the basis of a significant mining activity for the extraction of building materials since Roman times. Some of the hills are volcanic vents. The peculiar circle-shaped lakes ([[maar]]s) of the volcanic regions formed in volcanic craters.

The first volcanic eruptions took place in the early [[Tertiary (period)|Tertiary]] centred in the High Eifel and even before the volcanic activity of the [[Siebengebirge]] and [[Westerwald]]. Volcanism in the High Eifel came to an end about 15&nbsp;to 20&nbsp;million years ago, at the same time as that of the Siebengebirge.

Volcanism in the western and eastern Eifel is, in contrast to that of the High Eifel, much more recent than that of the Siebengebirge and Westerwald. It began in the West Eifel region of Daun, Hillesheim and Gerolstein about 700,000&nbsp;years ago and created a chain of ash volcanoes, [[cinder cone]]s, [[maar]]s and craters running in a chain from northwest to southeast. The youngest maars are only slightly older than 11,000&nbsp;years.

In the eastern Eifel, volcanism began about 500,000 years ago in the area of today's Laacher See; it extended to the Neuwied Basin to the south, and crossed the Rhine to the east. The quantity of [[basalt]] lavas, pumice tuffs and ash tuffs produced by the volcanoes was far greater here than in the western Eifel. East Eifel volcanism came to an end with a huge eruption, as a result of which the [[magma chamber]] emptied and collapsed, creating a [[caldera (crater)|caldera]]. Today's [[Laacher See]] formed in the caldera. The ashes from the eruption can be detected today in deposits all over Central Europe and as far as [[Bornholm]] as a thin layer.<ref>Roland Walter et al. (1992). ''Geologie von Mitteleuropa.'' 5th ed. Stuttgart: Schweizerbarth’sche Verlagsbuchhandlung. {{ISBN|3-510-65149-9}}. p.&nbsp;185.</ref>

Volcanism is caused by [[magma]], which either rises directly to the Earth's surface from the upper regions of the [[Earth's mantle]] or, in the majority of cases, gathers in a magma chamber, several tens of kilometres deep, at the base of the [[Earth's crust]], from which magma rises at irregular intervals and causes volcanic eruptions.<ref>Wilhelm Meyer 1986, p.&nbsp;308.</ref> Volcanism in the Eifel is thought to be partly caused by the [[Eifel hotspot]], a place where hot material from deep in the [[Mantle (geology)|mantle]] rises to the surface, and partly by melt-ascent at deep [[fracture]]s in the Earth's crust.<ref>Meyer 1986, p. 275</ref> Research has shown that the volcanism is still active; the Eifel region is rising by 1–2&nbsp;mm per year and there are escaping gases, for example, [[carbon dioxide]] ({{CO2}}) in the [[Laacher See]].

== Climate ==
The Eifel is in the Atlantic climate zone with its relatively high precipitation; winters that are moderately cold and long with periods of snow; and summers that are often humid and cool. The prevailing [[wind direction|wind]] is west/southwest. A relatively dry and milder climate prevails in the wind and rain shadow of the High Eifel. Cold air from Siberia in the higher elevations of the Eifel has less of an impact on weather conditions, as the proximity of the Atlantic Ocean to the Eifel brings milder sea air to the Eifel even in winter.

Looking at the long-term averages, even the [[Snow Eifel]] only has snow cover for nine consecutive days in winter, as there are no longer lasting cold spells. However, there is an average of 70 days of full snow cover because the frequency of snow at higher elevations is relatively high (for comparison: [[Bitburg]] 35&nbsp;days, [[Maifeld]] 30&nbsp;days), but the level of snowfall varies from year to year. Snow heights vary on average between 15&nbsp;cm and 60&nbsp;cm. The humid Atlantic climate can cause extreme variations though: on 2&nbsp;March 1987 there were {{Convert|227|cm|in|abbr=on}} of snow in the Eifel on the [[Weißer Stein (Eifel)|Weißer Stein]].

The mean temperature in the coldest month (January) is {{cvt|-1.5|C|F}} at high elevations, {{cvt|+1.5|to(-)|2|C|F}} in the mountain foreland. There is an average of 110 days of frost, with temperatures below freezing ({{cvt|0|C|F|disp=semicolon}}) in the highlands and an average of 30 to 40 'ice days' when temperatures do not rise above freezing. The warmest month (July) only has an average temperature of {{cvt|14|C|F}} in the higher areas. The level of precipitation decreases significantly from west to east as a result of the [[rain shadow]] of the highlands. So the [[Schneifel]] receives an average of {{cvt|1,200|mm|in}} of precipitation ([[High Fens]]: {{cvt|1,400|to(-)|1,500|mm|in|disp=semicolon}}), while in Maifeld the average rainfall is only {{cvt|600|mm|in}}.

The bioclimatic conditions in the Eifel are favourable. Heat stress and air humidity are rarely present in summer. The Eifel has a distinctly stimulating climate; the high elevations being considered as highly stimulating. The Eifel is a clean air area with very low air-chemical pollution. On hot sunny days, there is sometimes an increased concentration of ground-level ozone.

Below are two weather station examples for settlements in the Eifel.

{{Weather box
|location = Nürburg, 485 m asl (1981–2010 normals)
|collapsed = Yes
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|Jan record high C = 13.5
|Feb record high C = 15.6
|Mar record high C = 20.7
|Apr record high C = 25.8
|May record high C = 30.4
|Jun record high C = 33.3
|Jul record high C = 34.9
|Aug record high C = 36.0
|Sep record high C = 30.2
|Oct record high C = 25.2
|Nov record high C = 18.8
|Dec record high C = 12.6
|year record high C = 36.0
|Jan high C = 2.6
|Feb high C = 4.3
|Mar high C = 7.7
|Apr high C = 12.3
|May high C = 16.4
|Jun high C = 19.7
|Jul high C = 21.6
|Aug high C = 21.4
|Sep high C = 17.0
|Oct high C = 12.5
|Nov high C = 6.6
|Dec high C = 2.8
|year high C = 12.2
|Jan mean C = 0.3
|Feb mean C = 1.6
|Mar mean C = 4.2
|Apr mean C = 8.0
|May mean C = 11.9
|Jun mean C = 15.0
|Jul mean C = 16.9
|Aug mean C = 16.6
|Sep mean C = 13.0
|Oct mean C = 9.2
|Nov mean C = 4.3
|Dec mean C = 0.6
|year mean C = 8.6
|Jan low C = -2.1
|Feb low C = -1.2
|Mar low C = 0.7
|Apr low C = 3.6
|May low C = 7.4
|Jun low C = 10.1
|Jul low C = 12.2
|Aug low C = 11.9
|Sep low C = 9.0
|Oct low C = 5.9
|Nov low C = 2.0
|Dec low C = -1.6
|year low C = 4.9
|Jan record low C = -18.6
|Feb record low C = -17.4
|Mar record low C = -12.4
|Apr record low C = -6.4
|May record low C = -1.0
|Jun record low C = 2.1
|Jul record low C = 5.0
|Aug record low C = 3.6
|Sep record low C = 1.1
|Oct record low C = -5.3
|Nov record low C = -10.8
|Dec record low C = -18.1
|year record low C = -18.6
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 48.0
|Feb precipitation mm = 51.2
|Mar precipitation mm = 50.6
|Apr precipitation mm = 47.4
|May precipitation mm = 60.6
|Jun precipitation mm = 53.8
|Jul precipitation mm = 68.9
|Aug precipitation mm = 77.7
|Sep precipitation mm = 57.0
|Oct precipitation mm = 54.1
|Nov precipitation mm = 57.5
|Dec precipitation mm = 51.5
|year precipitation mm = 
|Jan precipitation days = 9.5
|Feb precipitation days = 10.6
|Mar precipitation days = 10.9
|Apr precipitation days = 9.4
|May precipitation days = 9.9
|Jun precipitation days = 9.8
|Jul precipitation days = 11.4
|Aug precipitation days = 9.5
|Sep precipitation days = 9.6
|Oct precipitation days = 10.5
|Nov precipitation days = 12.0
|Dec precipitation days = 10.8
|year precipitation days = 
|Jan sun = 56.7
|Feb sun = 72.1
|Mar sun = 116.6
|Apr sun = 166.9
|May sun = 187.0
|Jun sun = 205.3
|Jul sun = 204.4
|Aug sun = 193.3
|Sep sun = 147.1
|Oct sun = 105.7
|Nov sun = 46.5
|Dec sun = 43.0
|year sun = 
|source = Météo Climat <ref>{{cite web|url=http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/listenormale-1981-2010-2-p5.php|title=German climate normals 1981-2010|language=fr|publisher=Météo Climat|access-date=15 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/index.php?page=stati&id=279|title=Nürburg Weather Extremes|language=fr|publisher=Météo Climat|access-date=15 January 2019}}</ref>
}}

{{Weather box
|location = Eupen (1981–2010 normals, sunshine 1984–2013)
|collapsed = Yes
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|Jan record high C = 
|Feb record high C = 
|Mar record high C = 
|Apr record high C = 
|May record high C = 
|Jun record high C = 
|Jul record high C = 
|Aug record high C = 
|Sep record high C = 
|Oct record high C = 
|Nov record high C = 
|Dec record high C = 
|year record high C = 
|Jan high C = 3.3
|Feb high C = 4.4
|Mar high C = 8.2
|Apr high C = 12.2
|May high C = 16.3
|Jun high C = 19.1
|Jul high C = 21.3
|Aug high C = 21.0
|Sep high C = 17.4
|Oct high C = 12.9
|Nov high C = 7.2
|Dec high C = 4.0
|year high C = 12.4
|Jan mean C = 0.8
|Feb mean C = 1.1
|Mar mean C = 4.3
|Apr mean C = 7.4
|May mean C = 11.6
|Jun mean C = 14.3
|Jul mean C = 16.5
|Aug mean C = 16.2
|Sep mean C = 12.9
|Oct mean C = 9.2
|Nov mean C = 4.6
|Dec mean C = 1.6
|year mean C = 8.4
|Jan low C = -1.8
|Feb low C = -1.9
|Mar low C = 0.7
|Apr low C = 2.8
|May low C = 6.8
|Jun low C = 9.5
|Jul low C = 11.7
|Aug low C = 11.2
|Sep low C = 8.6
|Oct low C = 5.8
|Nov low C = 2.0
|Dec low C = -0.8
|year low C = 4.6
|Jan record low C = 
|Feb record low C = 
|Mar record low C = 
|Apr record low C = 
|May record low C = 
|Jun record low C = 
|Jul record low C = 
|Aug record low C = 
|Sep record low C = 
|Oct record low C = 
|Nov record low C = 
|Dec record low C = 
|year record low C = 
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 115.0
|Feb precipitation mm = 101.9
|Mar precipitation mm = 106.6
|Apr precipitation mm = 81.5
|May precipitation mm = 97.2
|Jun precipitation mm = 101.6
|Jul precipitation mm = 106.7
|Aug precipitation mm = 106.0
|Sep precipitation mm = 105.8
|Oct precipitation mm = 99.3
|Nov precipitation mm = 105.1
|Dec precipitation mm = 120.7
|year precipitation mm = 1247.3
|Jan precipitation days = 15.0
|Feb precipitation days = 13.3
|Mar precipitation days = 15.1
|Apr precipitation days = 12.5
|May precipitation days = 13.2
|Jun precipitation days = 13.0
|Jul precipitation days = 13.3
|Aug precipitation days = 12.5
|Sep precipitation days = 12.6
|Oct precipitation days = 12.8
|Nov precipitation days = 14.8
|Dec precipitation days = 15.7
|year precipitation days = 163.8
|Jan sun = 49
|Feb sun = 72
|Mar sun = 111
|Apr sun = 155
|May sun = 183
|Jun sun = 175
|Jul sun = 191
|Aug sun = 182
|Sep sun = 130
|Oct sun = 104
|Nov sun = 52
|Dec sun = 37
|year sun = 1440
|source = [[Royal Meteorological Institute]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.meteo.be/resources/climateCity/pdf/climate_INS63023_EUPEN_nl.pdf|title=Klimaatstatistieken van de Belgische gemeenten|publisher=[[Royal Meteorological Institute]]|language=nl|access-date=29 May 2018}}</ref>
}}

== History ==
[[File:Eifel Münster, Sebastian-Eyfalia (1550-1628).jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Map of the Eifel (''Eyfalia'') and adjacent lands in 1628; north is downwards.]]

=== Etymology ===
==== Usage in the course of history ====
At the time of the [[Roman Empire]] the whole mountain range between the rivers Rhine, Meuse and Moselle was called ''Arduenna silva'' ("high forest").<ref>Julius Caesar: ''[[De bello Gallico]]''. 58–51 BC</ref> The oldest record of the name "Eifel" does not occur until the [[Early Middle Ages]]. Following the collapse of the [[Western Roman Empire]], the [[Frankish Empire]] emerged in the territories of present-day France and western Germany. This was divided into [[Gau (territory)#Middle Ages|''gaue'']] (Lat.: ''[[Pagus|pagi]]''). One of them, the [[Eifelgau]], covered the source regions of the rivers [[Erft]], [[Urft (river)|Urft]], [[Kyll]] and [[Ahr]], i.e. predominantly the northern and northwestern foothills of the present Eifel in the eastern half of the ''Arduenna silva'' of the Romans.<ref>Hermann Aubin: ''Geschichtlicher Atlas der Rheinlande''. Cologne, 1926. No.&nbsp;7.</ref> West of the Eifelgau lay the [[Ardennengau]], whose name was derived from ''Arduenna silva''.

Following the end of the Frankish Empire the name of the old ''gaue'' continued to be used in popular language. Over the centuries an ever-larger region was referred to as the Eifel. Today the whole German-speaking part of the range between the Rhine, Meuse and Moselle is called the Eifel (including several areas outside of Germany, see the →&nbsp;[[Belgian Eifel]]), while the French-speaking part in Belgium and France is called the [[Ardennes]].

==== Earliest surviving records ====
762 ''Eifflensis pagus'', 772 ''Eiffelnsis pagus'', 804 {{lang|la|in pago aquilinse}}, 838 ''Eifla'', 845 ''Eiflensis pagus'', 855 ''Eiflinsis pagus'', 860–886 ''Agflinse'', 975 ''Aiflensis pagus'', 1051 ''Eiffila'', 1105 ''Eifla'', 1121 ''Eifla''

==== Meaning ====
Müller/Schnetz (1937) believe that an ''-n-'' has dropped out between the [[diphthong]] and the [[syllable]], ''-fel''. The resulting root form ''Anfil'' or ''Anfali'' would then mean an "area that is not so level". ''An''- would then be a prefix and ''-fali'', which is related to the Slavic ''polje'' ("field"), means "plain" or "heath".

W.&nbsp;Kaspers (1938) deduces from the surviving form {{lang|la|in pago aquilinse}} the root form ''aku-ella, akwella'' and points to its development into the name "Eifel" in the following sequence: ''aquila''&nbsp;> {{lang|la|agfla}}&nbsp;> ''aifla''&nbsp;> ''eifla''&nbsp;> ''Eifel''. ''Akuella'' derives from the pre-German and means "land with summits" or "land with peaks".

Both propositions, like several others, are highly contentious. The most convincing proposal is that of Heinrich Dittmaier (1961).<ref>{{citation|surname1=Heinrich Dittmaier|periodical=Rhein.-westf. Für Volkskunde&nbsp;8|title=Der Name "Eifel"|pages=168–175|date=1961|language=de
}}</ref> Dittmaier initially derives it from the Germanic ''Ai-fil''. The second component corresponds to ''Ville'', which is the name of a ridge between the Erft, Swist and Rhine today. The variants ''Vele'', ''Vile'' and ''Viele'' may often be found in place names such as ''Veler Weg'' or ''Veler Pfad''. Unlike the modern word ''Ville'' the fricative consonant is hard in "Eifel". Responsible for that was probably a sound between ''ai-'' and ''-fil'', which was assimilated by the ''f'', possibly ''f'', ''k'', ''ch'', ''d'', ''t''. Dittmaier believes the missing sound was a ''k'' or ''ch'', whereby "Eifel" originally went back to ''Aik-fil''. ''Aik/Aich'' is also a name for oak (''Eiche'') and qualifies the root word ''ville''. On the basis that it was covered by oak trees, the Eifel (=&nbsp;''Eich''-''Ville'') could thus be distinguished from the other [[Ville (Rhineland)|Ville]], a name still used today, on the Erft. However, the original, historical and even current vegetation of the present day ''Ville'' is dominated by oak mixed forest.

The meaning of "Ville" is also disputed. Dittmaier gives three possible explanations: "marshy region", "plain, heath" and "heathland", which would all bring geology and vegetation into harmony.

Another proposal sees the name as even older and possibly of Celtic origin. Near Cologne, an altar was found, which was dedicated to ''[[Matronae Aufaniae]]'' Celtic goddesses which were honoured by flowing water. The thesis that the name "Eifel" was derived from this source is not conclusive, but it is persuasive; Eifel would then mean "land of water" or "watery mountains".<ref>{{citation|editor-surname1= Eifelverein|title=Die Eifel 1888–1988|year=1989|location=Düren|page=39|isbn=3-921805-17-1|language=de
}}</ref>

=== Settlement history ===
[[File:MagdalenahoehleIvoryArtifact.jpg|thumb|Ivory artifacts from the Magdalena Cave]]
By the [[Old Stone Age]], the Eifel was inhabited by people: [[Neanderthal Man|Neanderthals]] and [[Anatomically modern humans|modern humans]]. This is evinced by the [[Buchenloch]] and [[Magdalena Cave]]s near [[Gerolstein]]. The artifacts from the Magdalena Cave also show that the Eifel was visited by humans even during the height of the last ice age.

Excavations show that iron was already being worked by the [[Iron Age]] "[[Hunsrück-Eifel culture]]" to which the Eifel gives its name. The first smelting hut north of the Alps was built during the [[La Tène period]] in the 5th century BC in [[Hillesheim (Eifel)|Hillesheim]]. Near [[Bitburg]] there is an iron smelting site in which metal was smelted and worked in an almost industrial manner during the Roman period. In Roman times, the Eifel was an important economic region. Its mineral resources (lead, [[Smithsonite|zinc spar]], iron, limestone and stones for construction) were mined, and trade benefited from long-distance [[Roman road|Roman communication routes]] such as the [[Roman road from Trier to Cologne]], which crossed the Eifel.

In the late Middle Ages, the Eifel was a border area between the Archbishoprics of [[Electoral Cologne]] and [[Electoral Trier]], the [[County of Luxembourg]] and the [[Duchy of Jülich]]. This explains the large number of castles, now lying in ruins, which had been built mainly for the purpose of guarding the border. Through skillful politics, several smaller principalities and abbey estates were able to acquire their independence, for example the House of [[Manderscheid-Blankenheim]], the County of [[House of Salm|Salm-Reifferscheid]] and [[Prüm Abbey]].

The mining and smelting works, with their demand for [[pit prop]]s and [[charcoal]] for [[smelting]], the great demand for construction timber and firewood and the [[shipbuilding industry]] which was widespread until the 19th century, led to an almost complete deforestation of the woods. In fact, around 1800, the Eifel must be imagined as a landscape of meadows and heathland, where animals, especially flocks of sheep, grazed. At the same time, the population was becoming increasingly impoverished because the poor arable land did not yield rich harvests. Even after the decline of mining and smelting operations after the mid-19th century, the situation of the population did not improve. In addition, the Eifel was a marching route for French troops to all kinds of theatres of war. They demanded "[[forage]] money" from the local population, which just caused further impoverishment, as the records of [[Kottenheim]] show.

[[Prussia]]n rule began in 1815, but little changed in terms of social conditions: The Eifel, as a poor peripheral region of the empire ("Prussian Siberia"), was only of interest for military reasons. For Prussian officials and officers, mainly Protestants, a posting to the purely Catholic Eifel region was like a punishment sentence. However, the landscape changed as Prussia carried out systematic reforestation, albeit with coniferous trees that were not typical of the region.

In the 19th century, the Eifel region suffered severe famines, especially in 1816/17, 1847 and 1879/80, and an 1853 memorandum records that ''"Many Eifel inhabitants know no food other than potatoes and bread that consists of a mixture of oatmeal and potato. It can be said without exaggeration that two thirds of the entire population only enjoy meat once a year."'' The consequences of the terrible food situation were only too obvious: ''"In 1852, only 10% of all those liable to enlistment were fit for military service."''.“<ref name=HDA>Hans-Dieter Arntz: [http://www.hans-dieter-arntz.de/naturkatastrophen.html ''Naturkatastrophen und Notstände in der Eifel''].</ref>

Due to its barren soils and the harsh climate, which led time and again to poor harvests, many farmers were in debt. According to reports of the winter of starvation in 1879/80, however, there was a wave of solidarity in the [[German Reich|Reich]], and in 1883 the "Eifel Fund" was established, through which, within 18&nbsp;years, 5.5&nbsp; millions [[Reichsmark]]s were raised for [[land improvement]], for the [[afforestation]] of barren land and for [[land consolidation]].''.<ref name=HDA/>

[[File:Westwall01.jpg|thumb|[[Siegfried Line]] anti-tank barriers in the Eifel]]
For a long time, economic development was hampered by the poor condition of roads and tracks. However, due to its border location between the German Empire, Belgium and Luxembourg (as march routes to France), many [[railway line]]s were built since the [[foundation of the German Empire]], which served [[Strategic railways|military-strategic purposes]]. This improvement of the transport routes also boosted tourism. The construction of the [[Nürburgring]] also served the purpose of economic development in the 1920s.

The border region of the Eifel was also not spared by the [[Second World War]]. The construction of the [[Siegfried Line]] was followed, from September 1944 to January 1945, by violent [[Battle of the Hürtgen Forest#First Phase|battles]] and the [[Ardennes Offensive]], especially in the northern Eifel, which still bears witness to the legacy of the war: ruins of old bunkers and parts of tank barriers. Especially in the [[Battle of the Hürtgen Forest]], where the battle with the highest losses was fought in the west, military cemeteries - such as in Vossenack&nbsp;- bear witness to the brutal events of the war.

The Eifel region was severely hit in the [[2021 European floods]].

== Economy ==
Much of the Eifel has limited infrastructure and there are almost no large industrial areas. Only in the [[Pellenz]] in the [[Neuwied Basin]] is there a stronger industrial presence.  Agriculture is restricted to certain valleys and the lower levels (particularly in parts of the [[southern Eifel]], the [[Pre-Eifel]] and the [[Maifeld]]). A large number of farms have been converted into stabling facilities, some of which offer overnight accommodation and horse care for [[Trail riding|trail riders]].

Wine-growing is a major activity along the Rhine, Moselle and Ahr valleys and in the [[Wittlich Basin]]. In the Wittlich Basin, [[tobacco]] is also grown. At [[Holsthum]] in the Prüm valley, in the lee of the [[Ferschweiler Plateau]], [[hops]] are grown for the [[Bitburger Brewery]]. However, at high altitudes in the Eifel, only forestry and dairy farming are generally possible.

Mining is still carried out in the Eifel region. In [[Mayen]] the firm of Rathscheck Schiefer mines [[roofing slate]]s in the Moselle slate mines of Katzenberg and Margareta, and [[gypsum]] in [[Ralingen]] on the River [[Sauer (Moselle)|Sauer]] near the border with Luxembourg. In the South Eifel, especially in the Wehrer Bowl, volcanic [[carbonic acid]] is extracted.

In many places in the Eifel region, the mining of [[pumice]], [[basalt]] and other rocks and minerals has a long tradition. For example, between Daun, Gerolstein and Hillesheim – i.e. in the heart of the [[Volcanic Eifel]] – there are 17&nbsp;active pits over an area of {{convert|11|by|12|km|mi|abbr=on}}. Residents and local authorities affected by the planned expansion (as of July 2012) have practically no influence over it because it is based on the old [[mining law]].<ref>For more information, see [http://eifelvulkane.wordpress.com/ Homepage] of the ''Interessengemeinschaft Eifelvulkane''</ref>

There is evidence that [[iron]] was being processed in the Eifel by the [[Iron Age]]. The first smelting works north of the [[Alps]] was built during the [[La Tène period]] in the 5th century BC in [[Hillesheim (Eifel)|Hillesheim]].<ref name="kall">[http://www.wisoveg.de/wisoveg/artikel/110evkall/spurensuche.html Die Montangeschichte Kalls]</ref> Near [[Bitburg]] there is an iron smeltery where, during the [[Roman period]], the metal was being smelted and worked almost in an industrial way. So by then the Eifel was already an important economic area. Its mineral resources ([[lead]], [[zinc spar]], [[iron]], [[Lime (material)|lime]] and rocks for construction) were mined and trade benefited from [[Roman road]]s such as the [[Roman road from Trier to Cologne]], which crossed the Eifel.

The abundance of [[timber]], which was needed for smelting, and of watercourses, which were indispensable for the preparation and operation of [[hammer mill]]s and [[bellows]], made it possible for the Eifel to be an important supra-regional economic area even in the late Middle Ages. About 10% of the iron produced in [[Europe]] originated from the Eifel. It was traded at the markets in [[Trier]] and [[Cologne]].<ref>[http://www.bodendenkmalpflege.lvr.de/media/bodendenkmalpflege/aktuelles/pdf/nordeifel_alte_stationsblaetter/2016_4/Kall-Golbach_Pingenfeld.pdf Archäologietour Nordeifel 2016 - Kall-Golbach: Pingen als Relikte des Eisenerzbergbaus]</ref>

Well known are the many [[mineral spring]]s, which occur frequently here because of the region's volcanic past. The largest bottlers are [[Gerolsteiner Brunnen]] and [[Apollinaris (water)|Apollinaris]]. One of the largest German breweries, [[Bitburger Brauerei|Bitburger]], has its headquarters and production facilities in [[Bitburg]] in the Eifel.

The economic importance of [[tourism]] has increased since the [[Second World War]]; and it was further encouraged, for example, by the Eifel's designation as a [[national park]] (the [[Eifel National Park]]) on 1 January 2004, as well as the natural history infrastructure in the Volcanic Eifel. Furthermore, the [[Eifel Park]] and several [[maar]]s and lakes are popular tourist destinations. In winter, in some of the highlands, there are opportunities for winter sports, e.g. at the [[Schwarzer Mann]] near [[Prüm]], the [[Weißer Stein (Eifel)|Weißer Stein]] near [[Hellenthal]] or in [[Rohren]] near [[Monschau]]. A well known destination for motorsport fans is the [[Nürburgring]] with its famous [[Nordschleife]]. Another [[tourism|touristic]] and [[Geology|geological]] destination is the [[German Volcano Road]], which links the attractions of the [[Vulkanland Eifel Geopark]]. There are also numerous mountains and hills with good viewing points as well as several [[holiday route]]s. Hiking tourism is also of considerable economic importance, as is reflected in the increasing number of overnight stays for hiking guests and the progressive expansion of the network of trails. In addition to the [[Eifelsteig]] trail, which was opened in 2009 and runs from [[Aachen]] to [[Trier]] across the Eifel, there is a wide network of themed and circular walks.<ref>[https://www.volksfreund.de/nachrichten/region/bitburg/aktuell/Heute-in-der-Bitburger-Zeitung-Eifelsteig-steht-hoch-im-Kurs;art752,2947638 ''Eifelsteig steht hoch im Kurs'']. In: ''[[Trierischer Volksfreund]]'', 24&nbsp;October 2011. Retrieved 30&nbsp;September 2014.</ref><ref>[http://www.rp-online.de/leben/reisen/deutschland/nrw/rundwanderwege-der-eifel-traumhafte-landschaften-entdecken-aid-1.4498327 ''Rundwanderwege in der Eifel'']. In: ''RP Digital'', 3&nbsp;September 2014. retrieved 30&nbsp;September 2014.</ref>

== Culture ==
=== Literature ===
As a traditionally isolated land, in which the population kept a quiet and simple way of life, the Eifel offered fertile soil for lively folk poetry. The [[saga]]s, [[legend]]s and [[fairy tale]]s, which were told on long winter evenings in the farmhouse parlours, often reflect a longing for a better world, which stood in contrast to the found reality of life. The Eifel also repeatedly offered material for numerous literary and regional studies works - from the Eifel and about the Eifel.<ref>[http://dispatch.opac.d-nb.de/DB=4.1/SET=7/TTL=21/REL?PPN=04013749X Literature from the Eifel and about the Eifel at the DNB]{{Dead link|date=December 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

==== Folk literature ====

Eifel [[mentality]] and [[humour]] were reflected in numerous [[anecdote]]s and [[joke]]s. Figures of fun and Eifel characters are brought to life in these stories. The ''Dahnener Sprünge'' have become famous beyond the region. A love of jokes and ridicule of one's neighbours may have formed motives for these popular stories of Eifel fools. In addition, there are countless horror stories of [[witch]]es, [[undead]], [[Headless Horseman|headless riders]], [[revenant]]s and [[werewolves]], which – like those in the neighbouring Ardennes region&nbsp;– survived into the 20th century.

Folk poetry of the Eifel was collected early on. Inspired by [[Romanticism]], in which folklore was seen as a rich source of unadulterated motifs and forms, collections of stories and adaptations of Eifel folk tales emerged. Among the most illuminating collections is the poetic guide through the Eifel region by chaplain, Johann Heydinger. Prominent authors such as [[Adelbert von Chamisso]], [[Guido Görres]], [[Karl Simrock]], [[Ernst Moritz Arndt]] and [[Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel|Friedrich Schlegel]] rank amongst the early Eifel authors.

During the 1920s scientific interest in folk culture also gave impetus to the collection of folk poetry. The most prominent collector was Bonn professor of folklore, Matthias Zender, who was born in Zendscheid and who, as a student between 1929 and 1936, collected about 10,000 stories, folk tales and jokes from the Eifel/[[Ardennes]] region, of which 2,000 were published.

Scary stories from the Eifel region were collected and partly published by headmaster, Heinrich Hoffmann, from [[Düren]] in 1900 and also by Zender in the 1930s. Peter Kremer published a collection of such stories with a commentary in 2003 in a Düren publication.<ref>Peter Kremer: ''Wo das Grauen lauert: Blutsauger und kopflose Reiter, Werwölfe und Wiedergänger an Inde, Erft und Rur.'' PeKaDe-Verlag, Düren, 2003, {{ISBN|3-929928-01-9}}.</ref>

==== Authors and works ====
Well-known historical works of the Eifel are the ''Eiflia illustrata oder geographische und historische Beschreibung der Eifel'' by [[Johann Friedrich Schannat]], published in the 17th century, translated, supplemented and re-edited in 1824 by Georg Bärsch; and the ''Eiflia sacra'', also edited by Schannat and re-edited in 1888 by Carl Schorn.

The first recognised Eifel poet was Peter Zirbes, a wandering [[stoneware]] trader from [[Niederkail]]. He was the author of simple poems in the [[Eifel dialect]], which he published in 1852. In 2010, Ute Bales wrote a novel about his life, which was awarded the special prize by the jury in the Rhineland-Palatinate Book of the Year competition (''Buch des Jahres Rheinland-Pfalz''). Many contemporary poets who live in the Eifel or come from the Eifel have captured the Eifel poetically and made it known beyond its borders to readers of poetry in the German-speaking world. These include Jochen Arlt (who has also contributed to regional literature as the editor of several Eifel anthologies), [[Theo Breuer (writer)|Theo Breuer]], [[Ursula Krechel]] and [[Norbert Scheuer]]. Jochen Arlt's poem ''Einkaufn gehen in Münstereifel'' may be read in the most important German poetry collection, ''[[The Great Conrady]]. The book of German poems. From its Beginnings to the Present''.

One great narrator and native of [[Trier]], who chose the Eifel as the setting for her novels and stories, was [[Clara Viebig]]. The best-selling author of the subsequent [[Naturalism (literature)|naturalism]] movement, wrote two great literary monuments about the Eifel with her novels, ''Kreuz im Venn'' and ''Weiberdorf''. The reception of Clara Viebig's work was interrupted during the [[Nazi era]] because of her marriage to a Jewish publisher. Since the end of the 1980s, the author's works have experience a deserved renaissance - even in the Eifel region. Perhaps the most important literary work about the Eifel region and its people is the novel ''Winterspelt'' by [[Alfred Andersch]], which is set in the final phase of the [[Second World War]] and depicts the positional war during the Ardennes offensive and the tragic combination of people and their fates in epic breadth. The author, Heinz Küpper, who died in 2005 and whose novels included ''Wohin mit dem Kopf'' and ''Zweikampf mit Rotwild'', [[Norbert Scheuer]] from [[Kall, North Rhine-Westphalia|Kall]] and Ute Bales from [[Gerolstein]] are today the most important representatives of the Eifel in the field of contemporary, German-language prose. In their works, they present the Eifel, both physically and symbolically, as a rugged landscape, which becomes a reflection of spiritual landscapes. Particularly interesting here (in comparison to the perspective of the more down-to-earth narrator) is the Eifel's literary composition from the point of view of the outsider.

This literature challenges us to confront the region and its people, especially where there is no attempt to romanticize the Eifel, but where hopelessness and despair in the face of poverty and misery, intellectual narrowness or rigid systems of values become apparent. Although Norbert Scheuer was born in the Eifel, the narrators of his novels and stories take the perspective of the distanced or the outsider. Norbert Scheuer has succeeded in presenting life in the Eifel in a multifaceted way and making it interesting for readers in the entire German-speaking area, especially in his latest book ''Kall, Eifel'' (2005). In Ute Bales' novels, landscape and people are inseparably connected. The characteristic of the Eifel landscape and its inhabitants is the starting point of a narrative style that shows people as ''"lonely, lost, in a misunderstood place"'' in and with their suffering, as in the novel ''Kamillenblumen'' (2010) about the peddler,  Traud, from [[Kolverath]].

==== Eifel crime novels ====
One literary genre that has been flourishing in many regions and cities in Germany over the last few decades is the [[crime novel]] with a local or regional setting. Jacques Berndorf has become the best-selling German crime novelist with detective novels such as ''Eifel-Blues'' (1989), ''Eifel-Sturm'' (1999) or ''Eifel-Träume'' (2004). In 1996, he was awarded the top prize at the [[Eifel Literature Festival]]. In addition, Ralf Kramp was awarded the sponsorship prize.  Kramp was the first author to write Eifel crime stories for children with his series about the "black cloverleaf" (''schwarzes Kleeblatt''). Harald Schneider (born 1962) is the author of the children's detective series ''Die Meisterschnüffler'', an interactive read that leads readers from 8&nbsp;years old to different locations in the Eifel. Carola Clasen, Carsten Sebastian Henn, Andreas Izquierdo, Rudolf Jagusch, Martina Kempff, Elke Pistor, Edgar Noske and Hans Jürgen Sittig are other authors who contribute to the genre of Eifel crime novels. Historical crime novels have been penned by Günter Krieger and Petra Schier. Josef Zierden has published an Eifel thriller travel guide that covers countless crime novel scenes in the Eifel. In the town of [[Hillesheim (Eifel)|Hillesheim]] there is an Eifel crime novel hiking trail that links the scenes of novels by Jacques Berndorf and Ralf Kramp. The crime novel house in Hillesheim houses the largest collection of detective novels in the German-speaking world with a stock of 30,000 books, and there is also a "crime café" in the house.

=== Fine arts ===
The Eifel was a destination for German [[Impressionism|impressionists]], among them [[Eugen Bracht]], who painted there with colleagues, and [[August von Brandis]], who often spent several days there with architecture students from Aachen in order to give them an understanding of landscape painting. Two of Bracht's paintings are preserved at the [[castles of Manderscheid]].

== Towns and cities ==
[[File:Staudt01.jpg|thumb|The village of [[Bruch (Eifel)|Bruch]] in the [[South Eifel]]]]
<!-- No villages in these lists! -->
* Towns in the Eifel: [[Adenau]], [[Bad Münstereifel]], [[Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler]], [[Bitburg]], [[Daun]], [[Eupen]] (Belgium), [[Gerolstein]], [[Heimbach (Eifel)|Heimbach]], [[Hillesheim (Eifel)|Hillesheim]], [[Kaisersesch]], [[Kyllburg]], [[Malmedy]] (Belgium), [[Manderscheid, Bernkastel-Wittlich|Manderscheid]], [[Mayen]], [[Mechernich]], [[Mendig]], [[Monschau]], [[Münstermaifeld]], [[Neuerburg]], [[Nideggen]], [[Polch]], [[Prüm]], [[Schleiden]], [[Sankt Vith|St. Vith]] (Belgium), [[Speicher (Eifel)|Speicher]], [[Stolberg (Rhineland)|Stolberg]], [[Ulmen (Eifel)|Ulmen]], [[Wittlich]].
* Towns and cities near the Eifel: [[Aachen]], [[Bonn]], [[Düren]], [[Düsseldorf]], [[Euskirchen]], [[Koblenz]], [[Cologne]], [[Liège]] (Belgium), [[Luxembourg City|Luxembourg]] (Luxembourg), [[Maastricht]] ([[Netherlands]]), [[Trier]].

== Castles ==
{{see also|List of castles in the Eifel}}
[[Image:LissingenNacht2.jpg|thumb|Lissingen Castle]]
[[Image:Allemagne07 08 0366 Burg Eltz.JPG|thumb|Eltz Castle]]
[[Image:Manderscheider Burgen.jpg|thumb|Manderscheid castles]]

=== Well preserved ===
* [[Eltz Castle]]
* [[Lissingen Castle]]
* Satzvey Castle
* [[Dudeldorf Castle]]
* [[Schloss Eicks]]

=== 19th- and 20th-century rebuilds ===
* Bollendorf Castle
* [[Genovevaburg]]
* Vlatten Castle
* Cochem Castle

=== Ruins ===
* [[Gerolstein Castle]]
* [[Gödersheim Castle]]
* [[Löwenburg and Philippsburg]]
* [[Manderscheid, Bernkastel-Wittlich#Culture and sightseeing|Manderscheid castles]]
* [[Monschau Castle]]
* [[Nideggen Castle]]
* [[Schönecken Castle]]
* Ulmen castles
* [[Nürburg Castle]]

== Transport ==
[[File:Speicher Eifel 2.JPG|thumb|The Eifel Line (near the station of Speicher)]]

Through the Eifel run the following transport routes:
* the [[Ahr Valley Railway]] from Remagen to Ahrbrück
* the [[Hürth-Kalscheuren–Ehrang railway|Eifel Line]] from Cologne via Euskirchen, Kall and Gerolstein to Trier and several branch lines. Most of the branch lines have however since been closed and some have been lifted.
* the [[Erft Valley Railway]] from Euskirchen to Bad Münstereifel with its connexion to the [[Voreifel Railway]] from Euskirchen to Bonn
* the [[Trans-Eifel Railway]] from Andernach via Mayen, Kaisersesch and Daun to Gerolstein. The section of line from Kaisersesch to Gerolstein is only operated in spring and summer. The branching lines from Mayen via Polch to Koblenz, Polch to Münstermaifeld and Daun to Wittlich were closed and partly converted for tourist purposes (cycleways).
* the [[Düren–Heimbach railway|Rur Valley Railway]] from Düren to Heimbach. It is additionally worked on summer weekends by the [[Euregio Railway]] on the section from Heerlen (Netherlands) via Aachen and Düren to Heimbach and is especially popular with day tourists, for whom the town of Heimbach and its associated villages are a charming destination.
* the [[Brohl Valley Railway]] from Brohl to Engeln;  privately operated narrow gauge railway.
* the [[Bundesautobahn 1|A&nbsp;1]] (also [[Eifel Motorway]]), [[Bundesautobahn 48|A&nbsp;48]], [[Bundesautobahn 60|A&nbsp;60]], [[Bundesautobahn 61|A&nbsp;61]], [[Bundesautobahn 64|A&nbsp;64]], [[Bundesautobahn 565|A&nbsp;565]], [[Bundesautobahn 571|A&nbsp;571]] and [[Bundesautobahn 573|A 573]] motorways.
* numerous [[Bundesstraße|federal roads]], e.&nbsp;g. the [[Bundesstraße 49|B&nbsp;49]], [[Bundesstraße 50|B&nbsp;50]], [[Bundesstraße 51|B&nbsp;51]], [[Bundesstraße 52|B&nbsp;52]], [[Bundesstraße 53|B&nbsp;53]], [[Bundesstraße 56|B&nbsp;56]], [[Bundesstraße 257|B&nbsp;257]], [[Bundesstraße 258|B&nbsp;258]], [[Bundesstraße 265|B&nbsp;265]], [[Bundesstraße 399|B&nbsp;399]], [[Bundesstraße 409|B&nbsp;409]], [[Bundesstraße 410|B&nbsp;410]], [[Bundesstraße 418|B&nbsp;418]], [[Bundesstraße 421|B&nbsp;421]] and [[Bundesstraße 477|B&nbsp;477]] <!-- noch unvollständig -->
<!-- Please only include trans-regional Bundesstraßen! -->

== Points of interest ==
* The [[Nürburgring]], one of the world's most famous motor-racing courses. The northern loop (''Nordschleife'') of the course is known as the Green Hell (''Grüne Hölle''), because of its long, difficult and dangerous course through the local forest. The [[2020 Formula One World Championship]] held a race at the [[Nürburgring]] under the title of [[Eifel Grand Prix]]. 
* The [[Eifel Aqueduct]], an interesting archeological feature. One of the longest [[aqueduct (Roman)|aqueducts]] of the [[Roman Empire]], it provided water to the Roman settlement of [[Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium]] (modern-day [[Cologne]]).

== See also ==
{{colbegin}}
* [[Eifelian]]
* [[Eifel Club]]
* [[List of mountains and hills of the Eifel]]
*''[[Eifeler Regel]]''
* [[High Eifel]]
* [[North Eifel]]
* [[South Eifel]]
* [[West Eifel]]
* [[Belgian Eifel]]
* [[Rur Eifel]]
* [[Schnee Eifel]]
* [[Volcanic Eifel]]
{{colend}}

==References==
{{More citations needed|date=October 2017}}
<references>
<ref name="Follmann1918">
Otto Follmann (1915) ''Abriss der Geologie der Eifel''; Westermann.
</ref>
<ref name="Marks2015">Stephan Marks, ''Schriftenschau, "Geologie der Eifel"'' in [http://www.vdhk.de/fileadmin/pdf/mitteilungen/Mitteilungen-2015-1.pdf Mitteilungen des Verbandes der deutschen Höhlen- und Karstforscher e. V. 2015/01] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728211954/http://www.vdhk.de/fileadmin/pdf/mitteilungen/Mitteilungen-2015-1.pdf |date=2017-07-28 }}; page 24.</ref>
<ref name="Meyer2013">
Wilhelm Meyer (2013) ''Geologie der Eifel''; 4th fully revised edition; Schweizerbart, Stuttgart; {{ISBN|978-3-510-65279-2}}.
</ref>
<ref name="Steininger1853">
Johann Steiniger (1853) ''Geognostische Beschreibung der Eifel''; Lintz, Trier.
</ref>
</references>

== Further reading ==
* Ekkehard Mai (ed.): ''Die Eifel im Bild. Düsseldorfer Malerschule''. [[Michael Imhof Verlag]], Petersberg, 2016, {{ISBN|978-3-7319-0356-7}}.
* Hans-Ulrich Schmincke: ''Vulkane der Eifel: Aufbau, Entstehung und heutige Bedeutung.'' Springer Spektrum, 2nd expanded and revised edition, 2014. {{ISBN|978-3-8274-2984-1}} (print); {{ISBN|978-3-8274-2985-8}} (eBook).
* Joachim Schröder: ''Zu Besuch im frühen Eifeldorf.'' Regionalia Verlag, Rheinbach, 2014, {{ISBN|978-3-95540-114-6}}.
*Michael Losse: ''Burgen und Schlösser in der Eifel''. Rheinbach, 2013, {{ISBN|978-3-939722-44-1}}.
* Angela Pfotenhauer, Elmar Lixenfeld: ''Eifel''. Monumente edition, Deutsche Stiftung Denkmalschutz, Bonn, 2013, {{ISBN|978-3-86795-068-8}}.
* Alois Döhring (Hrsg.): ''Die Eifel in frühen Fotografien''. Euskirchen, 2011, {{ISBN|978-3-939722-37-3}}.
* Heinz Renn: ''Die Eifel. Die Wanderung durch 2000 Jahre Geschichte, Wirtschaft und Kultur'', 4th unamended edition, published by the Eifelverein, Düren, 2006, {{ISBN|3-921805-23-6}}.
* Werner D’hein: ''Natur- und Kulturführer Vulkanland Eifel. Mit 26 Stationen der "Deutschen Vulkanstraße".'' Gaasterland Verlag, Düsseldorf, 2006, {{ISBN|3-935873-15-8}}.
* Walter Pippke, Ida Leinberger: ''Die Eifel. Geschichte und Kultur des alten Vulkanlandes zwischen Aachen und Trier''. 5th updated edition. DuMont Reise Verlag, Ostfildern, 2006, {{ISBN|3-7701-3926-7}}.
* {{citation|editor-surname1= Eifelverein|title=Eifelführer|location=Düren|isbn=3-921805-39-2|date=2006|language=de|url=http://www.dilibri.de/rlb/content/titleinfo/1262677%20|access-date=2017-08-07
}}
* Andreas Stieglitz, Ingrid Retterath: ''Polyglott on tour: Eifel.'' Munich, 2006, {{ISBN|3-493-56629-8}}.
* Hans Joachim Bodenbach: ''Eine hessische Wassermühle in der Eifel?'' Bemerkungen zu einem Eifelbuch. Eine Glosse in: Denkmalpflege&Kulturgeschichte, Landesamt für Denkmalpflege Hessen 1/2000, Wiesbaden, 2000, pp.&nbsp;62–64, 5&nbsp;pictures., (2&nbsp;in colour)
* Conrad-Peter Joist (ed.): ''Landschaftsmaler der Eifel im 20.&nbsp;Jahrhundert'' Düren, 1997, {{ISBN|3-921805-12-0}}.
* Wilhelm Meyer: ''Geologie der Eifel''. Schweizerbart’sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, Stuttgart, 1986, {{ISBN|3-510-65127-8}}.
* Hans Joachim Bodenbach: ''Mühlen der Eifel-Bemerkungen zu einem Eifelbuch''. In: Neues Trierisches Jahrbuch 1990, 38th vol (49th vol, older series). Published by the Verein Trierisch im Selbstverlag, Trier, 1998, here: pp.&nbsp;251–261, with 5&nbsp;pictures. [This is a critical examination of the mill image on the cover page of the book.: Erich Mertes, Vol. I: Mühlen der Eifel. Geschichte-Technik-Untergang. Helios-Verlag, Aachen, 2nd expanded edition, Aachen, 1995. In Wirklichkeit keine Eifelmühle, sondern die ehemals im weit entfernt gelegenen nordosthessischen Altkreis Eschwege [heute Werra-Meißner-Kreis] gelegene Ölmühle bei Motzenrode.]
* Sabine Doering-Manteuffel: ''Die Eifel. Geschichte einer Landschaft.'' Campus Verlag, Frankfurt am Main, 1995, {{ISBN|3-593-35356-3}}.
* Wilhelm Meyer: ''Geologie der Eifel.'' Schweizerbart’sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, Stuttgart, 1986, {{ISBN|3-510-65127-8}}.
* {{citation|editor-surname1= Bolko Cruse|title=Zur Mineralogie und Geologie des Koblenzer Raumes, des Hunsrücks und der Osteifel|series=Der Aufschluß Sonderband&nbsp;30|publisher=VFMG|location=Heidelberg|id=800854667|date=1980|hdl=10013/epic.42825.d001|language=de}}, Format: PDF, KBytes: 13990
* Rolf Dettmann, Matthias Weber: ''Eifeler Bräuche.'' J.P. Bachem, Cologne, 1983, {{ISBN|3-7616-0570-6}}.
* Matthias Zender: ''Sagen und Geschichten aus der Westeifel.'' Bonn, 1934 (3rd edn. 1980).
* Alfred Herrmann (ed.): ''Eifel-Festschrift zur 25-jährigen Jubelfeier des Eifelvereins.'' Eifelverein, Bonn, 1913.

== External links ==
{{Wikivoyage}}
{{Commons category|Eifel}}
*{{cite EB1911|wstitle=Eifel |volume=9 |short=x}}
* [http://www.diederich.com/EifelDistrict.htm Historical Background: The Eifel District]
{{Sister project links |commonscat=Eifel |wikt=Eifel |b= |n= |q=Eifel |s=Eifel |v= |voy=Eifel}}
* [http://www.naturpark-eifel.de/ High Fens-Eifel Nature Park]
* [http://www.nationalpark-eifel.de/ Eifel National Park]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110407030607/http://www.jahrbuch-daun.de/VT/hjb1980/hjb1980.23.htm The Eifel on 15th and 16th century maps]
* [http://www.hans-dieter-arntz.de/ Hans-Dieter Arntz: regional-historical home page –&nbsp;''Geschichte des Judentums, Nationalsozialismus und 2. Weltkrieg sowie Geschichte der Eifel und Voreifel.'']

{{German Central Uplands}}
{{Regions of the Rhenish Massif}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Eifel| ]]
[[Category:Rhenish Massif]]
[[Category:Rhineland]]
[[Category:Natural regions of Germany]]
[[Category:Landscapes of Rhineland-Palatinate]]
[[Category:Regions of North Rhine-Westphalia]]
[[Category:Regions of Rhineland-Palatinate]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges of North Rhine-Westphalia]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges of Rhineland-Palatinate]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges of Luxembourg]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges of Belgium]]
[[Category:Landforms of Wallonia]]
[[Category:Landforms of Liège Province]]
[[Category:Areas of Belgium]]
[[Category:Cultural landscapes of North Rhine-Westphalia]]
[[Category:Eifelian| ]]