Country:
City:
Start: The tour starts at the paid-for main car park of the Teufelsschlucht/Dinopark on the outskirts of Ernzen.
(S/E) From here, we walk slightly downhill towards the meadows at the far end of the car park.
(1) Then we turn right, passing the two large stacked stone sculptures by the information board, and head into the woods. A zigzagging path leads us to a wider track, where we keep to the right.
(2) On the right-hand side, at the entrance to the Dinosaur Park, stand two large dinosaurs, which we pass straight ahead on the main path. Just a short distance further on, on the left, is the Honey Shop, where all manner of honey and bee-related products are sold.
(3) Next, we come across the Teufelsschlucht Nature Park Centre – also on the left-hand side. On the opposite side, a wide forest track branches off to the right, which we follow for about 400 m. From here, we are on the ‘Großer Rundweg Teufelsschlucht’ trail (red T with horns on a white background)
(4) A signpost points to the left towards a slope between two rocks that appears unremarkable at first. At the foot of the signpost is a metal plaque featuring two footprints, along with a brief description and a sketch of the route through the gorge. This is the entrance to Teufelsschlucht, into which we descend via a few uneven steps. (Caution: slippery in wet weather! Handrail provided)
To the right, left and ahead of us rise the narrow, steep walls of the sandstone gorge, some of which are covered in moss. From here, the path continues diagonally to the left. We follow the path through the rock faces, which now seem to touch above our heads. Behind a passageway barely waist-high, the path leads us across a wooden footbridge and down further steps.
From here, the gorge opens out, with bizarre rock faces towering up on the left. We pass an information board about the Devil’s Gorge and follow the path further and further through the unspoilt rocky landscape. The route is not difficult to find; it is simply this well-trodden path leading past the rocks.
The gorge stretches seemingly endlessly through the forest; everywhere, new breathtaking rock formations appear, sometimes steep and smooth, sometimes deeply fissured.
(5) After about 700 m, a short side path branches off to the right, leading to a wonderful view over the village of Irrel. About 150 m further on, we come to a wide forest track, where we turn right.
(6) From here, we follow the ‘Teuflische 8’ markings (a white figure of eight with horns on a yellow background). This leads us along a wide path through the forest. After about 200 m, we leave this path to the right and follow a stream on the right-hand side.
After about 300 m, the path makes a wide left-hand bend and then joins a forest track, where we turn right. (If you wish to shorten the route, you can turn left here). The route continues through the forest without any inclines. At the fork about 150 m further on, we take the left-hand branch, which leads us along winding paths back to a forest track, where we turn left.
(7) Another 150 m further on, we leave the path to the right. We go straight on at the next junction.
(8) At the next junction, we take a short detour.
The actual circular route continues to the left. To reach the suspension bridge and the waterfalls, a short detour is necessary. To do this, we go straight ahead at the junction. At the Prüm, the path turns slightly to the right and leads above the riverbank to a junction.
(9) Here, we turn left and cross the suspension bridge. After crossing it, we turn left again.
After about 100 m, there is a small wooden hut offering a good view of the rapids on the Prüm. If you like, you can walk a little further down the bank of the Prüm; here there are large, smooth rocks in the river, perfect for a quick dip or a picnic.
We head back along the same path, crossing the suspension bridge to the other side of the river.
(8) At the junction from earlier, we turn right. The path continues high above the riverbank through the forest.
(10) After just under 1 km, we turn left onto a narrow footpath. From here, the route climbs relatively steeply up the hill over rough and uneven ground. At the fork behind the Waldhofbach, we take the right-hand branch and walk steadily up the slope.
At the T-junction, we keep to the right and leave the relatively flat path after about 50 metres, turning left again. At the next fork, we go left and continue hiking steeply uphill. After about 200 metres, we turn sharply right and cross the Waldhofbach again. Behind the stream, the path turns left, then immediately takes a right-hand bend, followed by a wide left-hand bend.
After the bend, we turn left and have now completed the steepest section of the climb. From here, the route continues through the forest along the rough footpath at roughly the same altitude.
(11) On the right-hand side, the first rock formations soon appear, stretching across the entire slope; one of these is the so-called Keltenhöhle(Celtic Cave), the entrance to which lies by the side of the path. Beyond the Keltenhöhle, the route continues over rough and rugged terrain, including the odd step or two. After a total of about 1.2 km along the slope, the natural path reaches a T-junction.
(12) We have completed the upper circular loop of the 8. We continue to the right and then turn left at the next T-junction.
From here, we follow the path straight ahead. After about 1 km, we arrive back at the Teufelsschlucht Nature Park Centre.
(3) We continue straight on past the honey shop and turn left behind the entrance to Dinopark (2).
(S/E) After a few metres, we reach the large car park again, where we started.
Visorando Member
Difficult 
