Top 5 Family Hikes in the Eifel: Our Favourite Routes Around Bitburg and Prüm

Looking for a family-friendly hike in the Eifel? Maybe you need a short route for younger children or a more active option for older kids and teenagers?

Around Bitburg and Prüm, you’ll find plenty of different hiking routes: short walks by the water, family-friendly loops and more challenging trails for those who already have some hiking experience.

We’ve selected five specific routes that cover different needs – from the short loop around Wißmannsdorf to the more demanding Stausee-Prümtalroute.

1. Kleine-Prüm-Schleife – a short hike near Wißmannsdorf

Distance: approx. 3.9 km
Duration: approx. 1 hour
Difficulty: easy
Start: Wißmannsdorf
Suitable for: families and beginners

The Kleine-Prüm-Schleife takes you around Wißmannsdorf, partly along the Prüm River and through woodland and meadow sections. Along the way, you’ll pass the historic Lasch Cross, dating back to 1579. The route is short, varied and family-friendly. 

Why we recommend it

You don’t need any special preparation, and you can easily fit this walk into your day.

It’s particularly suitable if your children don’t have much hiking experience yet or if you simply want a short outing in nature.

What shoes do you need?

In dry weather, lightweight hiking shoes with a good tread are enough.

After rain, choose footwear with good grip, as forest and natural trails can become slippery.

Our tip: A great first hike for families who want to combine nature with a little regional history.

2. Am Dreeskopf near Neidenbach – a short route with a stroller

Distance: approx. 2.7 km
Duration: approx. 40 minutes
Elevation gain: approx. 60 m
Difficulty: easy
Start: Neidenbach
Suitable for: families with young children and strollers

Not every family hike has to take you along narrow forest trails with roots and rocks.

That’s exactly why the Am Dreeskopf loop near Neidenbach is interesting for families with young children. The entire route is paved and suitable for strollers. Along the way, you’ll find meadows, fields and panoramic views over Neidenbach. 

What can you see along the way?

The route takes you through and around Neidenbach. Highlights include panoramic views, wayside crosses and a reclining bench overlooking the surrounding landscape.

At the start of the route, you’ll also pass the Neidenbach village shop – handy if you need something for a picnic. 

What shoes do you need?

Light hiking shoes or comfortable outdoor shoes are enough for this route.

Our tip: A practical option for families with young children who want to enjoy nature without tackling difficult terrain.

3. Schlossroute Malberg – between the castle, forest and Kyll River

Distance: approx. 3 km
Duration: approx. 1.5 hours
Elevation gain: approx. 79 m
Difficulty: easy to moderate
Start: Gemeindehalle Malberg
Suitable for: families with children and anyone who enjoys nature and history

The Schlossroute Malberg is short but varied. It takes you through Malberg, past historic Malberg Castle, through the Mühlenwald and partly along the Kyll River.

Along the way, you’ll see woodland, meadows, hedgerows and the area’s characteristic red sandstone formations. In just a few kilometres, you can combine nature, activity and regional history. 

What can you discover?

• Malberg Castle
• Mühlenwald
• the Kyll River
• meadows and woodland
• red sandstone formations
• historical sights

What shoes do you need?

We recommend lightweight hiking shoes with good foot support and a grippy sole.

In dry weather, regular sneakers are possible, but hiking shoes provide better grip and stability on natural surfaces.

Our tip: Perfect if you want to combine a short hike with nature and interesting sights.

4. Prümtalweg – the more active route for sporty families

Distance: approx. 9 km
Duration: approx. 3 hours
Elevation gain: approx. 359 m
Difficulty: moderate
Start: hiking car park in Philippsweiler
Suitable for: active families, older children and teenagers

Already have some hiking experience and looking for something more challenging? Then the Prümtalweg is a great next step.

The approximately nine-kilometre loop takes you through a quiet, largely uninhabited section of the Prüm Valley between Waxweiler and Biersdorf. Over time, the Prüm River has carved deeply into the slate rock, creating a varied landscape of river terraces, bends and rocky sections. 

With 359 metres of elevation gain, this route is considerably more demanding than the shorter family walks.

For younger children, we’d choose a shorter route. For older children and teenagers with hiking experience, however, the Prümtalweg can be an exciting challenge.

What shoes do you need?

We recommend stable hiking shoes with a grippy outsole.

The most important features are:

• good grip
• secure heel hold
• stability on uneven ground
• comfortable cushioning
• enough room for your toes

Our tip: A good choice if you’re ready to move from short walks to longer hikes.

5. Stausee-Prümtalroute – for active families with older children

Distance: approx. 17 km
Duration: approx. 4 hours
Elevation gain: approx. 582 m
Difficulty: moderate
Start: Biersdorf am See
Suitable for: active families, older children and teenagers

The Stausee-Prümtalroute is no longer a short family walk. It’s a long hike for anyone who already has some hiking experience.

The route starts at the Bitburg Reservoir in Biersdorf am See. You’ll initially walk along the water before heading into the Prüm Valley, woodland and hilly terrain. 

At around 17 kilometres and 582 metres of elevation gain, this route is considerably more demanding than the shorter family routes around Bitburg.

Along the way, you’ll experience different landscapes typical of the Southern Eifel:

• Bitburg Reservoir
• the Prüm Valley
• woodland
• natural trails
• longer climbs and descents
• varied landscapes around Biersdorf

That variety is what makes the route interesting: the start by the water feels relaxed, while the hike becomes much more active later on.

We wouldn’t recommend this route for young children or hiking beginners. 17 kilometres and 582 metres of elevation gain are a serious challenge even for adults.

For families with older children and teenagers who are already comfortable with longer hikes, however, the Stausee-Prümtalroute can be an exciting next challenge.

What shoes do you need?

For this route, we recommend stable hiking shoes with good cushioning and a grippy outsole.

For longer distances and significant elevation gain, look for:

• good cushioning
• secure heel and midfoot support
• a grippy outsole
• enough room for your toes
• water-resistant or waterproof materials depending on the weather

Our tip: A great choice if you already handle shorter hikes comfortably and are ready for your next challenge.

Find the right shoes for your family hike

Choosing the right hiking shoes isn’t only about the route. Your feet, your movement and your individual needs also matter.

Get your free 3D foot analysis at Sport Giese in Bitburg. We’ll look at your feet and biomechanics and help you find a shoe model that suits you and the routes you want to explore.

Made for movement. Chosen for you.