{"id":37500,"date":"2025-06-11T16:51:57","date_gmt":"2025-06-11T14:51:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/niet-gecategoriseerd\/packrafting-adventure-on-land-and-water-in-the-eifel\/"},"modified":"2026-06-25T16:36:16","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T14:36:16","slug":"packrafting-adventure-on-land-and-water-in-the-eifel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/germany\/eifel\/packrafting-adventure-on-land-and-water-in-the-eifel\/","title":{"rendered":"Packrafting: Adventure on Land and Water in the Eifel"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Packrafting in the Eifel: A Microadventure in Nature<\/h1>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Eifel National Park, just across the border<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Just a few hours\u2019 drive away lies Germany\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalpark-eifel.de\/nl\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.nationalpark-eifel.de\/nl\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Eifel National Park<\/a>: a rolling landscape of deep forests, tranquil rivers, and challenging hills. Here, we\u2019ll experience the ultimate micro-adventure: packrafting! This sustainable form of Slow travel combines hiking, biking, and paddling. With a lightweight inflatable raft (everything fits in the special backpack) and a food pack for the journey, we\u2019re setting off on a three-day packrafting adventure.     <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Packraften Eifel - Naturetravellab #eifel #packrafting\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ZfjrR2uZLs8?feature=oembed\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Luxury glamping tent  <\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Upon arrival at the campground, the Packrafting signs lead us to \u201cbase camp\u201d; a section of the campground is reserved for packrafters. A charming \u201cvillage\u201d of dome tents, glamping tents, and a large \u201cliving room tent\u201d form a cohesive whole. The glamping tent we rented is more spacious than expected, tastefully decorated, and equipped with everything you need\u2014except for a toilet and shower, but the restroom building is nearby. That way, it still feels like real camping.    <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"21956\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0645-e1749651260761-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Packraft camping - glamping tent, beds, and bench\" class=\"wp-image-21956\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"21955\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/20250512_213601-1-e1749651231279-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Packrafting Camping - Campfire\" class=\"wp-image-21955\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"21957\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0648-e1749651290356-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Packraft camping - glamping tent - lantern\" class=\"wp-image-21957\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"background-color:#eeeee8\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is packrafting?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Packrafting is a form of microadventure in which you travel on foot, by bike, and on the water using an ultralight inflatable raft. You carry your gear, including the boat and accessories, in a specially designed backpack. It allows for active travel through areas where trails and rivers alternate. Sustainable, adventurous, and surprisingly versatile.     <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div style=\"height:28px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hike-rafting: walking and floating<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first day of packrafting begins with a hike of about 16 kilometers through the southern part of the Eifel. Right after breakfast, there\u2019s a short briefing on the equipment, and then the real adventure begins. A challenging climb follows shortly after, but the reward is well worth it: panoramic views, tranquil forests, and unexpected encounters\u2014including a (harmless) snake on the trail.    <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"789\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"21961\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0667-1-1-789x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Packrafting - Hiking in the Eifel - View of the Valley\" class=\"wp-image-21961\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"21960\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/20250513_110408-1-e1749651652636-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Packrafting - Burg Hengebach Castle - Eifel\" class=\"wp-image-21960\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"21959\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0692-1-e1749651521339-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Packrafting - Hiking\" class=\"wp-image-21959\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Along the way is a well-preserved castle, Burg Hengebach, a lovely spot for a break. Around noon, we reach the river, where we inflate the raft with its lightweight air bladder. It takes a while, but then the raft is all set in the water. With no significant current and a light headwind, the paddling is intense, but the silence on the water and the birdsong more than make up for it. After bobbing along among the greenery for about four kilometers, a well-deserved terrace awaits for an ice-cold drink.    <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then comes the final leg: a five-kilometer walk back to the campground. After a refreshing shower, we wrap up the day in good company around a crackling campfire with fellow packrafters.   <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"21966\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/20250514_115257-e1749652562239-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Packrafting - Mountain Bikes by the River\" class=\"wp-image-21966\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"21965\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/20250514_112357-e1749652536532-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Packrafting - Mountain Bike Trail\" class=\"wp-image-21965\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Bike-rafting: pedaling and floating<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The next day\u2019s packrafting trip starts early. On our rugged mountain bikes, the route takes us uphill again. The first ten kilometers are the toughest, with steep sections that really put our legs to work. Every now and then we walk uphill for a bit to slow down the muscle soreness, but once again, the panoramic views and the feeling of freedom more than make up for it. After the climb, we\u2019re rewarded with the best part: the descent. Winding trails, speed, and the wind in your face.       <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Eventually, we reach the boarding point for the bike-rafting trip again. Now the bike is going on the raft, too. It\u2019s a logistical challenge, but thanks to the thorough briefing this morning, the bike is securely fastened. Unfortunately, there\u2019s quite a bit of headwind on the river, so it\u2019s tough going; stopping means drifting backward, and there\u2019s no chance to give our arms a rest. The trip does, however, provide stunning views of an intensely green riverside landscape.    <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"21968\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/20250514_150041-e1749652610473-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Packrafting - rafting with your bike on the boat\" class=\"wp-image-21968\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"21964\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/20250513_163219-e1749652637786-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Packrafting - Eifel River Views\" class=\"wp-image-21964\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"21967\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/20250514_145622-e1749652587805-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Packrafting - Cycling on a Raft\" class=\"wp-image-21967\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After the boat ride, we pack everything up again and cycle the last stretch back to the campground. Tired but satisfied, it\u2019s all over. What a fun little adventure this was. Two days of completely immersing ourselves in the nature of the Eifel, cycling uphill while sweating and paddling silently through a green valley. We felt almost every muscle in our bodies, but every kilometer was worth it. We had fantastic weather, great people around us, and the feeling that we\u2019d truly gotten away from it all for a while.       <\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"background-color:#eeeee8\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Practical Tips for Packrafting in the Eifel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You can stay overnight in a basic tent or a glamping tent. Of course, you can also bring your own tent. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You can park at the organization&#8217;s base camp.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There are 2- or 3-day trails starting at \u20ac129 per person.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You can go packrafting in <a href=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/category\/germany\/\" data-type=\"category\" data-id=\"39\">Germany<\/a>, Luxembourg, or Austria.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For more information, visit <a href=\"https:\/\/packrafttravel.nl\/packrafting-eifel-duitsland\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/packrafttravel.nl\/packrafting-eifel-duitsland\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Packraft Travel<\/a>.  <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Packrafting in the Eifel: A Microadventure in Nature Eifel National Park, just across the border Just a few hours\u2019 drive away lies Germany\u2019s Eifel National Park: a rolling landscape of deep forests, tranquil rivers, and challenging hills. Here, we\u2019ll experience the ultimate micro-adventure: packrafting! This sustainable form of Slow travel combines hiking, biking, and paddling. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":37502,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[319,213,215,197,191],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-37500","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-eifel","category-green-travel-tips","category-cycling-tours","category-germany","category-hiking-tours"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37500","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/27"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37500"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37500\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/37502"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37500"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37500"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37500"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}