Nürburgring

The Nürburgring in the Eifel region is home to the Nordschleife — 20.8 kilometres, 73 corners, and up to 300 metres of elevation change — making it the longest permanent racing circuit in the world. Inaugurated on 18 June 1927 as a mountain racing and testing road, it was conceived partly to bring economic life to the underdeveloped Eifel and partly to give Germany's nascent car industry a proving ground. Formula 1 driver Niki Lauda famously called it the 'Green Hell', and his near-fatal crash there in 1976 became a turning point in global motorsport safety standards. Today, visitors can lap the Nordschleife themselves during public tourist sessions, explore the Grand Prix circuit complex with its grandstands and museum, or race karts on the in-house track. The annual 24-hour race draws hundreds of thousands of fans to the Eifel each spring.