In spring something special happens in the Oleftal near Hollerath. Where the valley is quiet and green during winter, it transforms between March and April into a vast landscape filled with blooming wild daffodils. Millions of flowers turn the meadows bright yellow and create one of the most remarkable natural sights in the Eifel.
For visitors this is one of those places where it feels like walking through a nature documentary. Paths wind through the valley along small streams, forest edges and open meadows that are covered with daffodils. Especially on sunny days, when the light falls across the flowers and the whole valley seems to glow, it becomes immediately clear why this area is so well known.
What makes this place even more special is that these daffodils were not planted. They are the wild species Narcissus pseudonarcissus which has been growing here naturally for centuries. These flowers are part of the traditional landscape of the Eifel. Because farmers historically used the valley meadows as hay fields and hardly fertilized them, the daffodils were able to spread slowly over time. This is how one of the largest natural daffodil landscapes in Europe developed.
During the twentieth century this unique landscape nearly disappeared. Many meadows were planted with spruce trees, leaving the flowers with less space and light. Thanks to conservation efforts and restoration projects led by organizations such as Stiftung Naturpark Nordeifel and the management of the Nationalpark Eifel large parts of the valley have been restored. As a result visitors can once again experience this impressive natural phenomenon.
That is exactly what makes a visit so special. You are not only walking through a beautiful landscape, but also through an area that has been carefully protected and restored. It is a place where you can slow down, enjoy a peaceful walk, take photos and truly experience the arrival of spring.
Anyone visiting the Eifel during this period should not miss the Oleftal. It is one of those rare places where you pause for a moment, look around and realize that such natural spectacles have become uncommon in Europe. Here you can still see them with your own eyes.
The wild daffodils in the Eifel bloom from the end of March to the beginning of May.
Dates for guided walks from March to May:
Saturday 28 March – 10:00 – 13:00
Sunday 29 March – 14:00 – 17:00
Friday 3 April (Good Friday) – 10:00 – 13:00
Saturday 4 April (Holy Saturday) – 14:00 – 17:00
Sunday 5 April (Easter Sunday) – 10:00 – 13:00 and 14:00 – 17:00
Monday 6 April (Easter Monday) – 10:00 – 13:00 and 14:00 – 17:00
Wednesday 8 April – 14:00 – 17:00
Saturday 11 April – 10:00 – 13:00 and 14:00 – 17:00
Sunday 12 April – 10:00 – 13:00
Wednesday 15 April – 14:00 – 17:00
Saturday 18 April – 14:00 – 17:00
Sunday 19 April – Daffodil Festival with storytelling stations
Wednesday 22 April – 14:00 – 17:00
Saturday 25 April – 10:00 – 13:00
Sunday 26 April – 10:00 – 13:00
Wednesday 29 April – 14:00 – 17:00
Friday 1 May – 10:00 – 13:00
Saturday 2 May – 10:00 – 13:00
Sunday 3 May – 10:00 – 13:00
Admission: Adults €5, children (10–17 years) €3, children up to 9 years free.
Parking fee Hollerather Knie parking area: €3 per day.
