One often reads and hears that the "Irrel waterfalls", the imposing rapids of the Prüm, no longer exist since the flood disaster of 2021. In fact, the flood has left more than clear traces in the narrow valley through which the river flows between Irrel and Prümzurlay: The water masses not only destroyed the covered footbridge, but also shifted entire boulders, caused enormous landslides, greatly altered the riverbed and left behind a sea of stones and sand, uprooted trees and flotsam. Yet the place has lost none of its fascination.

Since autumn 2023, it is once again possible to cross the Prüm via a new partly barrier-free suspension bridge. More information about the bridge in the attached documents for download.

An exciting history of origins

The formation of the rapids is closely related to that of the Teufelsschlucht (Devil's Gorge) - and thus to the huge rockfalls on the edge of the Ferschweiler Plateau that occurred at the end of the last Ice Age about 11,000 years ago. At that time, so many boulders of Lias sandstone broke off the edge of the plateau that they formed a natural dam in the river valley 170 metres below. A lake was formed, which can still be traced today in unusually thick floodplain sediments, the deposits of finest particles of earth and sand that extend upstream to Holsthum.

Over the millennia, the stone wall has been broken through by the force of the water and the Prüm makes its way between the boulders. And in the deep, well-moistened soil of the Prüm valley, the particularly prized Holsthum hops have been growing for decades. After the flood of the century, it is easier than ever to imagine the elemental force with which nature has shaped this special place in the course of the earth's history.

And why are they called "waterfalls"?

The rapids were given the name "waterfalls" as early as the 19th century. If you look at historical photos, you will see countless cascades and wildly splashing water. The spectacle may have become a little quieter since the construction of the Bitburg reservoir in the 1970s, but it is still impressive! The Irrel Waterfalls are a natural monument and an ecologically highly sensitive area. Please be considerate of this.

Hiking tips:

Many paths lead from the Irrel Waterfalls in all directions: The sister sculpture of Christoph Mancke's artwork, "Ein Zeichen für die Teufelsschlucht" ("A Sign for the Devil's Gorge"), which can be visited in Ernzen, points the way to the most famous gorge in the Southern Eifel. The route is designated as a feeder to the premium trail "Felsenweg 6 - Teufelsschlucht" in the NaturWanderPark delux. The "Teuflische Acht" (Devil's Eight), a beautiful route, also leads up to the edge of the Ferschweiler Plateau and the Teufelsschlucht (Devil's Gorge). Both routes can be hiked from the left bank of the Prüm. The waterfalls are also located on another premium hiking trail, the "Felsenweg 5 - Prümer Burg", named after the castle ruins located on the other side of the Prüm above the village of Prümzurlay.