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Description
The Urftsee is a big artificial lake in the middle of the Eifel National Park. You can make a big loop around the lake and cross the Urfttalsperre (the dam). The lake attracts birds like mlakarica, nilska gos and čopasti ponirek and has a big veliki kormoran breeding colony on the central island. But the surrounding slopes, hills and forest are more interesting birdwise. You can encounter birds like črni škarnik, rjavi škarnik and if you are lucky a črna štorklja (best chance you have is around the dam). Besides the great views from the Urfttalsperre, and the Vogelsang area, on the northern side of the lake there is also a viewing platform where spotting scopes are installed.
Details
Access
From Cologne via the B553 and A1 in the direction of Euskirchen via the B266 via Mechernich, Kall and Schleiden-Gemünd in the direction of Einruhr. Vogelsang IP is located directly on the B266 on the Dreiborn plateau. From Aachen via the B258 to behind Roetgen, then turn left onto the B266 via Lammersdorf, Kesternich and Einruhr. I have marked two parking places. The closest is the paid parking at Vogelsang IP, the other one is located a bit to the south and is free (Wanderparkplatz Walberhof). Click on a P in the map for directions.
Public transport: From Cologne, take the train to Kall Bf and from there take the SB82 bus to Vogelsang IP. From Aachen, take the SB63 bus to Simmerath Bushof and then change to bus 63 to Vogelsang IP.
At the starting point of this 12 km hike, you can visit the Eifel National Park Centre or explore the Vogelsang IP, the former Nazi Ordensburg (see for more info the link below).
Terrain and Habitat
LakeConditions
HillyCircular trail
YesIs a telescope useful?
NoGood birding season
Spring , Autumn , SummerBest time to visit
SpringRoute
Paved road , Wide path , Unpaved roadDifficulty walking trail
EasyAccessible by
Foot , BicycleBirdwatching hide / platform
YesExtra info
Photo Urftalsperre by OhneSinn, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0