Natur- und Kulturschätze der Bollendorfer Felsenwelt entdecken

The name gives it away - this time there's something for the ears - "cinema for the ears", so to speak. We have opted for one of the "eavesdropping tours" in the Felsenland Südeifel. On these audio hiking guides, experts from the region tell their very personal stories and amaze us with exciting background knowledge. There are several eavesdropping tours in Bollendorf and Ernzen; we set off with hiking guide Manfred Schmitt on his rock tour around Bollendorf - one of the lesser-known audio tours, yet full of variety with lots of nature, culture, rocks, forest and great views.

We start at the tourist information office in Bollendorf to first download the free audio tour app and then the "Bollendorf Rock Tour with Manfred" from Google Play or the AppStore. The tourist information assistant advises us to hike with the GPS switched on, as recommended by the app. This way, the audio clips start automatically at the right place. The tour can be interrupted and restarted at any time - very convenient and child's play!

We don't need a map either, because Manfred not only provides interesting information about the sights and curiosities along the way, but also guides us safely through the rocky world at crossroads and forks in the road.

From the tourist information office in the "Abteihof", the former main building of a large estate that belonged to Echternach Abbey in the 18th century, we walk towards the border bridge and a little way along the beautiful Sûre, where we briefly watch the canoeists paddling.

Just a short distance further on, we reach Bollendorf Castle, which was the seat of the abbots of Echternach and is now used as a hotel and restaurant. At the Roman villa, Manfred introduces us to the special features of Roman bathing culture and technology.

Numerous interesting and sometimes curious stops await us during this tour. There is, for example, the "Bauchbütt", a hewn boulder that was originally intended as a cattle trough, but is said to have never made it down into the valley due to its weight. A little later, we are impressed by one of the absolute highlights of the tour - the Fraubillenkreuz, a mighty, archaic-looking stone monument, and learn from Manfred that, according to legend, this once prehistoric menhir was carved into a cross by St. Willibrord 1300 years ago. Many mystical legends still surround the cross today.

We won't get bored, this listening tour is so varied and informative. We get to know impressive rock formations and a bunker from the Second World War, enjoy great views and listen enthusiastically to Manfred's smuggling stories.

The last stop comes just at the right time. We can refresh our feet and legs at the water treading pool before walking the last stretch back to Bollendorf.

Now it's time to stop off at one of Bollendorf's restaurants. If we still have time and feel like it after our meal, we could play a game of mini golf on the Bollendorf course, which is run by volunteers (tip: check opening times beforehand)

We let the afternoon draw to a leisurely close and are delighted with everything we have experienced and learned in the few hours.