Discover Mehren: Hiking Trails, Wetlands and Culture

Mehren combines hiking and cycling with wetlands and traces of local history. The trails range from short loops around the town to longer routes through forests, meadows and farmland. When choosing a hotel in Mehren, you can take into account which of these themes you would like to shape your trip.

Hiking between the town and wetlands

Hiking trails start at the information pavilion next to the church, with shorter options covering about two to four kilometres around the town. Longer routes extend to around 15 kilometres and pass through forests, meadows and fields. This offers a choice of distances and landscapes, from a manageable circular walk to a longer hike.

The network of hiking trails provides access to the Daun Maars nature reserves. Mürmes and Sangweiher are wetlands and stopover sites for migratory birds. Mürmes is a restored, filled-in maar with remarkable biodiversity. These names offer nature enthusiasts specific destinations to navigate to; Mürmes and Sangweiher should each be understood as a separate wetland.

The Vulcano Path leads from Schalkenmehren through the Mürmes nature reserve and Mehren, then back to Schalkenmehren. The circular route is 26.2 kilometres long and lies east of Schalkenmehren. As trail conditions can change, check them before setting out. This distinguishes the longer route from the shorter trails that start at the information pavilion next to the church.

Cycling routes and mountain bike network

Cyclists will also find a range of route options in Mehren: the Maare-Mosel Cycle Route passes by the town, while the signposted S1 cycling loop runs through Mehren and passes St. Matthias Church. Mehren is also within the VulkanBike TrailPark. The Vulkaneifel mountain bike trail network covers about 750 kilometres and more than 17,500 metres of elevation gain. These different details distinguish a through-route, a signposted loop and a regional mountain biking network.

Architecture and cultural life

Notable historic landmarks include the Mehren cemetery cross: this 3.10-metre-high sandstone cross is a Renaissance cross dating from 1542. The Renaissance portal of the parish church comes from Himmerod Abbey. Another landmark is the Zimmermanns-Heiligenhäuschen wayside shrine on the B 421 near the exit from Mehren towards Daun; the Mehren church choir lovingly restored it.

Local traditions and events also add to the character of the town. The Carnival tradition on Fat Thursday dates back to 1948. The cultural programme also includes exhibitions, concerts, theatre performances, Carnival events and a village festival. If you are travelling for a particular event, check the specific dates in advance.

The grounds of the forest school are used for forest youth games. Some hikers can find shade beneath the beech trees. Alongside the hiking trails and historic buildings, there are other local points of interest to consider, depending on the focus of your trip.

Mehren and the Vulkaneifel

The Vulkaneifel is designated a nature park and a UNESCO Global Geopark. Hiking trails, maars and geotopes across the region offer a way to explore its volcanic history. To date, 77 maars have been identified there, along with 350 volcanic eruption centres, around 270 of which belong to the more recent phase. Ulmen Maar marks the most recent volcanic eruption in the Vulkaneifel, which took place about 10,900 years ago. These geological details refer to the Vulkaneifel as a broader travel destination.

Mehren has motorway access via the A1 and A48 for travel by car.

Discover more destinations: Steineberg, Gillenfeld, Nohn, Schönbach, Wallenborn, Utzerath, Betteldorf, Brockscheid

For the main travel overview: Daun.