With around 3.3 km² and a depth of 53 m, Laacher See is the largest lake in Rhineland-Palatinate. The area around the lake has been a nature reserve for almost 80 years. The last eruption of the former “Laacher volcano” occurred around 10,930 BC. B.C., about 13,000 years ago. Traces of volcanic activity can still be found in the form of volcanic outgassing, the so-called mofettes, on the eastern shore of the lake. The total ejection quantity of the outbreak at that time was about 16 km³. The eruption was one and a half times as strong as that of Pinatubo in 1991, or 6 times as strong as the eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980. Although Laacher See is widely regarded as the largest maar in the Vulkaneifel, it is scientifically not a maar and also not a real crater lake, but a water-filled caldera - a burglary crater that resulted from a collapse after the magma chamber was emptied below the volcanic cone. The volcanic mountain collapses and only the ring bead on the outer edge remains. Over time, the remaining boiler fills up with water. The Laacher See is in the Eifel, next to the neighboring Wehrer Kessel, the largest caldera and the only water-filled one in Central Europe.

Travel sustainably! Use public transport! The stop "Maria Laach Parkplatz" (Maria Laach, 56653 Glees) is located in the immediate vicinity of Maria Laach Abbey Church. You can find more information about the connections at the bus stop at https://www.haltestellen-suche.de and at https://www.vrminfo.de.

Consideration and correct behavior in the nature reserve:

Natural landscapes such as Lake Laach offer a very special experience. Whether on foot or by bike - on beautiful days, nature seekers flock to wonderful places like Lake Laach. Unfortunately, this is often not without consequences. Sports and recreational use can affect sensitive habitats and can also be a disturbance factor for many animal species. Consideration for nature is therefore becoming increasingly important - not least in order to preserve the experience value of the landscape for everyone. In order to counteract unnecessary noise and protect hikers and walkers, recreationists are asked to use only the designated parking spaces.