Morsbach – Landscape, Views and Corpus Christi Tradition

Morsbach lies on the Dreiborn Plateau near Eifel National Park. The landscape includes the open plateau and the Morsbach Valley Nature Reserve; from the Modenhübel, views extend across the Urft Valley. This offers different ways to plan a stay: the open plateau, the nature reserve and the viewpoints.

Landscape and Hiking

The Modenhübel viewpoint is about 500 metres from the edge of Morsbach and 485 metres above sea level. On a clear day, you can see the former Vogelsang complex and the heights of the Kermeter from there; views also extend across the Urft Valley. The Modenhübel is therefore a point of reference if you want to take in the landscape from above.

Hiking routes from Morsbach cross the open plateau, pass through the nearby Morsbach Valley Nature Reserve and head towards the Urft Dam. You can choose a route based on the landscape you prefer: the plateau, the nature reserve and the direction of the dam each offer a different focus. Check the specific route conditions before setting out, as they may vary.

Corpus Christi and Remembrance

Morsbach has Corpus Christi chapels dating from the post-war period. The chapel in the lower village also serves as a war memorial and is decorated during the Corpus Christi processions. This local example brings religious custom and remembrance together.

Nearby Vogelsang is open to visitors as an international place of remembrance and education. If you would like to include this in your stay, check current dates in advance.

More to explore in the wider Schleiden destination

The wider Schleiden destination offers different opportunities for stargazing. The observatory of the “Sterne ohne Grenzen” (Stars Without Borders) astronomy workshop at Vogelsang IP International Place in the Eifel National Park Star Park regularly offers public stargazing events. The Vogelsang IP “Star Park” Star Viewpoint is equipped for independent astronomical exploration of the night sky and is easy to reach. You can choose between regular public observing events and stargazing on your own. Check current dates in advance.

Birdwatching is another activity in the wider Schleiden destination. At the birdwatching station on the Urftsee, you can observe cormorants, great crested grebes, ducks and grey herons. Two high-quality telescopes with fifteen-times magnification are installed at different heights, making it easy for wheelchair users to watch birds too. With a little luck, you may also see red and black kites as well as black storks at the Urft Dam, in addition to cormorants.

For hiking in Schleiden, the EifelSpur “Sun, Moon and Stars” and the Rur-Olef Route offer different time frames. The EifelSpur is 8 kilometres long, rated as an easy hike and listed as taking 2 hours. It passes through a landscape with distinctive flora and fauna and offers views of the night sky in the International Eifel Star Park. The Rur-Olef Route is a 57-kilometre, moderately difficult three-day tour starting in Schleiden-Gemünd and passing through Eifel National Park. This gives you the choice between a hike listed as taking two hours and a multi-day tour.

Discover more destinations: Gemünd

For the wider travel overview: Schleiden.