Filz: Hiking and Village History

Filz lies on a plateau at an elevation of about 460 metres above sea level, offering far-reaching views across the Eifel. When planning your stay, hiking and cycling routes, the Jungferweiher with the Ulmen Maar Tunnel, and the village’s history provide useful points of reference. This can help you decide whether to include short walks by the water, longer excursions, or local traditions in your travel plans.

Maar, Tunnel and Bird Migration

The Ulmen Maar Tunnel connects the Jungferweiher and the Ulmen Maar via a passage about 120 metres long, where you can experience geological history. Access is step-free and free of charge. However, the tunnel is only 70 centimetres wide at its narrowest point; bear this bottleneck in mind when planning and check access conditions before travelling.

The Jungferweiher, together with the Ulmen Maar, is a protected area and is known for its abundance of migratory birds. A circular trail around the pond is about 3 kilometres long and is especially recommended during the spring and autumn bird migrations. This seasonal information can help you choose when to take a walk by the pond.

Hiking Trails and Cycling Routes

Filz is considered a starting point for nearby Eifel hiking routes, including the Eifelsteig and the Traumpfade. The Enderttal Traumsteig is also close to Filz. It starts in Ulmen, passes through the Auderath area, and reaches Cochem after about 20 kilometres. When choosing a route, you can weigh up a circular trail of about 3 kilometres against a considerably longer route.

The Vulkan-Rad-Route runs near Filz and is 77 kilometres long. Filz is also connected to the Vulkanbike Trailpark, whose network includes around 750 kilometres of signposted routes. These figures give you a sense of the different scales available for planning a cycling trip.

Chapel, Dialect and Local Customs

The Filz Chapel was first documented in 1569; the present building dates from around 1730. Its furnishings include a high altar dedicated to Saint Nicholas. Statues depict Saint Catherine, Saint Barbara, Our Lady of Sorrows, and Saint Dominic. There are also three roadside shrines and a wayside cross in and around Filz. Their builders or their descendants maintain them.

Language is also part of the village’s history: until the 1970s, Filzer Platt was the mother tongue learned by residents born in Filz. The dialect was used almost exclusively in family and village life. Filzer Platt belongs to the Moselle Franconian dialect group.

Today, the bakehouse is fired up only for special baking festivals. The shelter is used mainly for the annual Hinnig-Hüttenfest, held on the first weekend in August. Visitors from outside Filz can rent the shelter through the mayor; confirm dates and make contact in advance. The tradition of putting up a maypole is also still observed in Filz. The wedding custom of Hillisch involves unmarried young men bidding farewell to the bride. If you are travelling specifically to experience a custom, check in advance whether it is currently being practised.

Getting There

Filz has good road connections to the A 48, which is about 6 kilometres away. Information about travelling by motorway, the different hiking distances, and seasonal bird migration and festival dates can help you plan your stay.

Discover more destinations: Kliding, Brohl, Grenderich, Düngenheim, Ulmen, Walhausen, Zell, Cochem

Go to the main travel overview: Cochem-Zell.