Geopark Vulkaneifel

Ulmener Maar Tunnel56766 Ulmen

The Ulmener Maar tunnel was originally built to direct water from the two maars to the mills on the Ulmener Bach - a large-scale water management system that was built in a high medieval expansion phase of the Ulmener Castle. The tunnel is still used today to convey water between the Jungferweiher Maar and the Ulmener Maar as part of drinking water production. The tunnel was not accessible for centuries, but this has now been possible for the public during the day since spring 2023.  

Attention! The Ulmener Maar tunnel is 4-6 m wide over the first 23 meters from the Jungferweiher Maar side. Afterwards, the tunnel only has a passage width of around 70 cm in some places. Please keep this in mind when passing through with a wheelchair or stroller. On the Ulmen Maar side there is a path that leads around the maar, which is not barrier-free for groups of people with walking difficulties. For reasons of topography and nature and water protection, barrier-free expansion is not possible. The barrier-free return route for people with walking difficulties leads back through the tunnel. The entire tunnel is under video surveillance; bicycles are not allowed to pass through.

The idea of expanding the connecting tunnel between the Maar and the pond arose a good two decades ago, but for a variety of reasons it could not be implemented until 2022. After a good year of construction, the tunnel was ceremoniously opened to the public in April 2023. The tourist exploitation of the tunnel and other individual measures in the city center and around the two maars pursue the goals of “tourism for all”, i.e. those of barrier-free tourism.&nbsp ;

The tunnel runs under the A1 motorway and offers a direct footpath connection between the two maars for visitors. Geologically, deposits from the Ulmen Maar eruption as well as older geological epochs can be found in the tunnel, which can be clearly seen around the middle of the tunnel. Despite the necessary mining safety measures, the geological situation on site has been preserved and presented clearly for visitors. The Ulmener Maar tunnel can be visited freely, unaccompanied and without protective equipment.

The Ulmen discovery tour - a real added value!

For all explorers, the Ulmen discovery tour offers real landscape enjoyment over a good three and a half kilometers with digital experiences on the smartphone. There are 24 so-called pickpoints along the signposted path that leads around Ulmen to its most beautiful places. With these pickpoints audiovisual content can be discovered directly on your smartphone. Harry Crested Grebe knows the bird world of Jungferweiher like no other, and that Ulmener Maar reports on its own story - just scan pickpoint and listen to the stories. The children's quiz awaits Ulmen's little visitors at Ulmen Castle. Anyone who answers all the questions correctly will receive a special souvenir.

Here is the link to the Ulmen discovery tour in Outdooractive.

Highlights nearby

• Ulmener Maar
• Jungferweiher
• Ulmen Castle Ruins

Location

Recommended parking, start & Destination: Camping site at Jungferweiher, 56766 Ulmen. Further parking options are available in the local area (market square, old post office).