🇩🇪 Schleiden, Germany
Haus Erika
📍 23, Erzgarten, Schleiden, 53937
Your stay — Haus Erika
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The Property — Haus Erika
Haus Erika is a straightforward, family-run guesthouse in the sleepy village of Gemünd, part of Schleiden. It feels like a proper basecamp: clean, simple rooms with pine furniture, a small spa area with a sauna, and a breakfast buffet that leans on local bread and cheese. Best for hikers or couples who want the Eifel National Park on their doorstep, not hotel fuss.
Chronicles of Schleiden
Schleiden grew around a medieval castle first mentioned in the 12th century, serving as a seat for the counts of Schleiden. The historic Altstadt and 19th-century town hall reflect its centuries as a market and administrative centre. Today it’s the gateway to the Eifel National Park, a protected area established in 2004. The town leans heavily on slow tourism: walking, cycling, and exploring the dense forest and reservoir landscapes.
Best Time to Visit
Full Schleiden guide →Best months
May through September for reliable warmth and open park trails; July and August are hottest but busiest. June edges it for wildflowers and daylight.
Peak / festival surge
July–August, when school holidays fill the national park. Prices at Haus Erika can rise 20–30% over low season. The annual Nationalparkfest in August in nearby Vogelsang draws extra crowds.
Budget shoulder season
Late May or early October offer decent weather, park trails open, and hotel rates drop 15–25%. Crowds thin noticeably after September.
Weather & packing
The Eifel region gets sudden rain even in high summer — an afternoon shower is normal. Pack a waterproof jacket and sturdy, broken-in walking shoes, not city trainers.
Live City Briefing — Schleiden
- The K21 bus from Kall train station to Gemünd runs hourly until late evening; a new stop at the park visitor centre opened in late 2025.
- The Oleftalsperre reservoir trail remains fully open after 2024 storm repairs; swimming is still prohibited except at designated points.
- A new farm shop in Gemünd, Hof Bourscheid, opened this spring selling local cheese and cold cuts — open Wed–Sat.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Haus Erika, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on the first floor (ground level) facing the rear garden, away from Erzgarten street. These are quieter and likely have a small balcony or terrace.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the second floor (top floor) without lift access, as steep stairs are common in older Alpine properties — also skip rooms facing Erzgarten due to street noise.
Best views
Rear garden view — address 23 Erzgarten suggests a residential street, so the back offers the Eifel countryside or forest edge, typical for Schleiden.
Quietest floors
First floor (ground level) at the back of the building.
🔊 Noise notes
Erzgarten is a local road carrying village traffic and tractors; expect some noise from 6-8 AM on weekdays.
Insider tips
Park for free on Erzgarten or quiet side streets, not in the hotel's small lot. Request a room number ending in 5 or 7 (often rear-facing) if the reception offers choices.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Haus Erika
Free basic Wi-Fi (10 Mbps) for up to 4 devices; premium tier (50 Mbps) available at EUR 5 per day; no login constraints
Lift serves ground and first floor only; second-floor rooms accessible via stairs only
No printed papers; free access to PressReader via hotel tablet at reception. Building is a converted 19th-century forester’s lodge with exposed timber beams and a original fireplace in the lounge
Check-in 14:00–22:00 (Fri–Sat until 23:00); early bag-drop allowed from 10:00; late check-out until 12:00 for EUR 20 (subject to availability)
Complimentary secure storage for same-day arrivals/departures
No step-free entrance (one step at main door); no wheelchair-accessible rooms or lifts to upper floors; ground-floor rooms available on request
Free on-site parking (unreserved, 14 spaces) on a first-come basis; nearest public car park 'Parkhaus Eifelstrasse' (EUR 8 per night, 400 m away); EV charging: one Type 2 socket (11 kW) free of charge
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: EUR 3.00 per person per night (mandatory tourist tax)
Deposit & card hold: EUR 50 advance deposit required by bank transfer or card; EUR 100 incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Filialkirche St. Josef Oberhausen (451 m · ~6 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Blumenthal (Eifel) — 2.0 km · ~25 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
ATMs (Geldautomaten) at banks in Schleiden give the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at Cologne Bonn Airport or tourist offices which add fees.
Visa/Mastercard accepted at supermarkets and chain restaurants; small shops and cafes often require cash.
Round up the bill or leave 5-10% in restaurants; taxis get a small tip (round up); hotel staff not expected but a euro or two for luggage help.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee at a bakery or cafe — about €2.80.
Bratwurst or currywurst with fries from a Imbiss (snack stand) — around €6-8.
Main course at a traditional Gaststätte — €12-15, like Schnitzel or Sauerbraten with potato salad.
No dedicated street food area in Schleiden itself; check bakery or Imbiss near the market square for savoury pastries.
Aldi and Netto are the main discount supermarkets in Schleiden.
No large high-street shopping here; for affordable chain clothing visit the Eifelpassage in nearby Euskirchen (30 min by train).
Day ticket for VRS regional trains/buses (around €6-8 for Schleiden area); from Cologne Bonn Airport take the AirportBus to Cologne Hbf then regional train to Kall or Schleiden (€25-30, vs €50+ taxi).
Eat lunch from a bakery or Imbiss; buy water from Aldi (€0.19) instead of cafes; use the DB Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket (€46) for a group day trip across the region.
Good to know — Schleiden
Type C/F · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.88 · EUR
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Schleiden, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Haus Erika
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) → DJH Jugendherberge Gemünd Vogelsang
💡 Book with Taxi Niedieck (+49 2444 912800) for a fixed €130. Avoid airport taxis – they often add surcharges. Confirm the exact hotel address; drivers sometimes confuse it with the nearby Vogelsang museum.
Cologne Hbf → Kall Bf
💡 Buy a 'SchönerTagTicket NRW' for €30 if you’re travelling as a group of up to 5 – it covers all regional trains and buses in the state. From Kall, switch to bus SB82. Last train from Cologne is 22:15, so plan accordingly.
Euskirchen Bf (via RE12 from Cologne) → Gemünd (Vogelsang stop)
💡 Use the 'VRS/NVV' app to buy digital tickets – no need to print. The 231 drops you right at the hostel entrance on Vogelsang hill. On Sundays, the service is almost non-existent, so fall back on the SB82 via Kall.
Kall Bf (train station via Cologne Hbf) → Gemünd (Gemünder Str.)
💡 Check AVV website for real-time departures – the bus is punctual. From Gemünd stop, it’s a 10-minute walk uphill to the hostel. Ask the driver for a 'Vogelsang' alert as the hostel is tucked behind the forest.
About Schleiden
Wikipedia ↗
Matthias Jakob Schleiden (German: [maˈtiːas ˈjaːkɔp ˈʃlaɪdn̩]; 5 April 1804 – 23 June 1881) was a German botanist and co-founder of cell theory, along with Theodor Schwann and Rudolf Virchow. He published some poems and non-scientific work under the pseudonym Ernst.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Haus Erika?
Request rooms on the first floor (ground level) facing the rear garden, away from Erzgarten street. These are quieter and likely have a small balcony or terrace.
Which rooms should I avoid at Haus Erika?
Avoid rooms on the second floor (top floor) without lift access, as steep stairs are common in older Alpine properties — also skip rooms facing Erzgarten due to street noise.
Is Haus Erika noisy?
Erzgarten is a local road carrying village traffic and tractors; expect some noise from 6-8 AM on weekdays.
Which rooms have the best views at Haus Erika?
Rear garden view — address 23 Erzgarten suggests a residential street, so the back offers the Eifel countryside or forest edge, typical for Schleiden.
What are insider tips for staying at Haus Erika?
Park for free on Erzgarten or quiet side streets, not in the hotel's small lot. Request a room number ending in 5 or 7 (often rear-facing) if the reception offers choices.
What time is check-in at Haus Erika?
Check-in at Haus Erika is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Haus Erika have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (10 Mbps) for up to 4 devices; premium tier (50 Mbps) available at EUR 5 per day; no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Haus Erika?
EUR 3.00 per person per night (mandatory tourist tax)
Where can I eat cheaply near Haus Erika?
Bratwurst or currywurst with fries from a Imbiss (snack stand) — around €6-8.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Haus Erika?
Day ticket for VRS regional trains/buses (around €6-8 for Schleiden area); from Cologne Bonn Airport take the AirportBus to Cologne Hbf then regional train to Kall or Schleiden (€25-30, vs €50+ taxi).
When is the best time to visit Schleiden?
May through September for reliable warmth and open park trails; July and August are hottest but busiest. June edges it for wildflowers and daylight.
Top Attractions in Schleiden
💡 Walk east from the town bridge towards the weir – the path is quieter and you’ll see kingfishers early morning.
💡 Pick up a free hiking map here; the staff are knowledgeable and speak English. The short 'Barfußpfad' (barefoot path) behind the centre is free and fun in summer.
💡 Visit for Sunday mass (10:00) to hear the Gregorian chant – it’s atmospheric and free. The monastery brewery runs tours for €5.
💡 Park at the 'Kermeter' car park near the national park centre, then walk the short loop to the 'Hirschley' viewpoint for views over the Rur dam.
💡 Combine with a hike from Schleiden centre via the 'Eifelsteig' trail – 5 km each way, mostly uphill but well-marked. Bring sturdy shoes and water.