Nurburgring / Nordschleife – photographers guide
Nurburgring / Nordschleife – photographers guide
Report by David Harbey
15 April 2020
Map credit Pitlane02
Regular visitors to PistonClick will know that we have published event reports from both the Nurburgring 24 (N24) and VLN (now called NLS) races. We have visited the track five times in the last few years, so it was high time to plunder the joint archives and create a stand-alone guide for spectator snappers.
We have broken down the guide into sections. Some of these align with the Shuttle Bus service at the N24 if you don’t fancy walking the entire length. Having done that walk for the last two years (c.25 km) I am not aiming to go for the hat-trick this year !
The Shuttle Bus Stops are shown as an orange X on the map below which is from the 2019 N24 or a white B in a purple box on the detailed maps. Check the programme for the routes they are running.
The detailed maps are from a now out of print map (Borch Maps) which was lent to me before our first visit along with some useful hints and tips - I must return the map sometime !
It is well worth getting hold of a detailed map of the area, especially if you are planning to drive from location to location. On the detailed maps, you will see references to parking areas, corner names and footpaths.
Links to the Circuit Guide sections -
Start / Finish, Mercedes Arena, Grand Prix circuit
Back to the Circuit Guide sections
For the NLS / VLN races you can either park at the north end of the GP circuit in car parks A2 / A3 or the south end in B3 / B4. Specific car parks for general spectators will depend on the event and which ones are reserved.
For the N24, on this side of the circuit you will probably be in A1 or D9 which is at the far end of Nurburg village off the top of the map. Parking is charged separately by the day or three days but does cover all car parks around the whole track.
The N24 and NLS races allow spectators on the grid although in the case of the N24 it tends to be rather busy … these photos from the grid and pitlane are from an NLS race.
We were also able to get onto the pit building roof for the NLS race giving a great view of pitlane and start / finish straight.
It is also generally possible to access the grandstands on the outside of the track – BMW Tribune is by start / finish. Down at the Castrol S are the Bilstein and Mercedes Tribunes.
These all give a superb view of the start and provide some shelter if raining. For one of the NLS races last year, the Mercedes Tribune was closed for a private party.
The Mercedes Tribune also gives a decent shot as the cars race through the Mercedes Arena and then head through the Bit-Kurve towards the end of the grand prix section. For the NLS the cars take the shortcut on the GP circuit at T10b.
For the N24, the cars use all the grand prix track down to the Dunlop-Kehre. We haven’t watched racing there – well, we’ve got the whole of the Nordschleife to focus on - but we did go down there for Top 30 Qualifying at last year’s N24. There’s good shots above the fence, but it’s not so inspiring.
We are told that there’s a great late evening shot of cars in the Dunlop-Kehre with the sun illuminating the driver’s faces, but a rather large Hyundai hospitality area would have put paid to that in 2019.
There is also a Drift Show after qualifying on the Friday of the N24. You will also appreciate the elevation change back up to the start – however, that is as nothing compared to the full track !
Nord-Kurve, Hatzenbach, Hocheichen
This section is the Nordschleife at its best with the track snaking down the hill after turning left in front of the T13 Tribune (not normally open) into the Nord-Kurve. There is camping all the way down here and whilst there are fences, there are windows and spots that you can shoot over the top of the fence – a step can be useful.
There’s a range of shots – front, side, rear, but as ever think about where the sun will be - if it is shining !
Nord-Kurve as the cars crest the rise (A)
Hatzenbach – N24 at night is good with the spectators’ illuminations
Hocheichen – with a rear view as the cars head to Quiddelbacher Hohe and Flugplatz. There is some parking at Quiddelbacher Hohe and it is an N24 Shuttle Bus Stop (B)
Flugplatz, Aremberg, Fuchsrohre, Adenauer Forst
The path for this section runs away from the track until you get to Schwedenkreuz apart from a view back to Flugplatz. A superzoom on a monopod, or even tripod, is really needed here as you are a long way back, but it’s a neat shot. (C)
There’s a view of the cars through the trees or even, if your timing is good, of the cars heading into Aremberg with the sunset in the background.
Aremberg is a fast right where you are close to the track with the usual windows in the fence. Beyond the corner there is some fence free viewing.
We have been on the inside of the track for some while now, but should now take the bridge to the outside of the track just past Aremberg (D). I was able to grab one shot of the cars from the bridge before spectator control indicated this was not desirable …
You can walk on the track with thick forest between you and the racetrack or walk close to the less intrusive fence past Fuchsrohre (E).
Adenauer Forst is a quick sequence of bends with viewing from the bank above and with windows in the fence.
Wehrseifen, Breidscheid
After Adenauer Forst, it is only possible to walk alongside the track for a short distance before needing to head away to pick up the track that leads down to Adenau (F) This is also a significant camping area for the N24.
This is steep downhill (it is steeper walking back up it – or at least seems to be !). Following the minor roads across the back of Adenau village the next track access is at Wehrseifen (G). It’s actually worth heading up to there as there are great views of the cars coming down the hill into a tight left. It’s also accessible walking up the hill from Breidscheid.
Heading down the hill and on the inside of the track, this is the run down to the bridge at Breidscheid (H) and the tourist lap exit there (Einfahrt Breidscheid).
A step is useful to clear the fence, but it can provide really good photos – overtaking or great photos in the rain (it was worth the effort !).
Bergwerk, Kesselchen, Klostertal
There’s a walk away from the track for a couple of kms now (I) – taking the mountain bike route (initially on the L10) before heading up the valley (J) across from Bergwerk (infamous as the scene of Lauda’s accident).
There are glimpses of the cars in between the greenery (you will by now have worked out why it is called the Green Hell, I hope !).
Then there is a tunnel under the track (K) to provide a view back as the cars come through Kesselchen.
You will need the step here to get a clean shot above the fence and the cars are coming through here at a fair lick as they accelerate all the up the hill to Steilstrecke.
Returning under the race track – head right and continue to follow the track (L). The race track rises and moves away from your route giving intermittent glimpse of the cars as they head up from Kesselchen to Klostertal.
This is a long climb up through the tress. Eventually, the trees clear as you get closer to Steilstrecke.
Steilstrecke, Karussell, Hohe Acht, Eschbach, Brunnchen
Steilstrecke is a popular area with a variety of shots available – but there are fences.
This is one of the areas where fans are allowed on the track for the N24 parade lap (M). The fans are well marshalled and well behaved, especially given the number of empty beer bottles.
Note however, that all campsites are cleared of rubbish after the weekend in exemplary fashion. Not sure that would happen in some other countries.
The Caracciola Karussell is probably the best known corner on the track with steep concrete banking. There are windows in the fence although as with most around the track they are set just that bit too low for a 5’ 10” male. Do your back exercises before you go !
After the VERY steep climb up to Hohe Acht from the Karussell, there is then a path alongside the outside of the track all the way to Brunnchen. It is fenced but has regular windows.
Hohe Acht is a 90 degree right at the top of the climb before the track plunges downhill with sweeping left and right turns.
Wippermann has a good background, especially for the N24.
Eschbach is the last left before the run through Brunnchen.
Brunnchen is a fast downhill right, straight across the valley and then a fast uphill right into the left at Eiskurve. There is catering, camping and a large car park here.
At the exit of Brunnchen, there is a tunnel under the track (restricted access only) and a very steep path down and back up the other side. This can be slippery when it is raining.
It is though worth it – at the very right hand of the fence overlooking the corner, there’s a very small gap to get a clean shot of the cars coming towards you (N). Add in some “tree” and Manthey and Falken Porsches; that, for me, is the Nordschleife in a photo !
Eiskurve, Pflanzgarten, Stefan Bellof S, Schwalbenschwantz, Galgenkopf
You can now follow the racetrack all the way to Schwalbenschwantz. At times, you may need to walk through the undergrowth to get to the fence as the path diverges.
At the exit of the Eiskurve, with a step you can get a nice clean shot of the cars as they head down towards Pflanzgarten (O)
Pflantzgarten is well known for the jump that sees the cars briefly in the air. Accredited snappers can access the inside here for a much better shot from a lower angle, whereas as a spectator, you will always be shooting from slightly above and the outside of the track.
This then leads into the fast Stefan Bellof S (P) and what is sometimes known as Pflanzgarten 2.
Schwalbenschwantz is one of the more unusual places on the track where it is possible to spectate on both sides of the track. Sticking to the outside there’s a great view back up the track towards Stefan Bellof S or towards Galgenkopf (Q).
Taking the tunnel under the track (R), you can climb up to the outside of the track just by the armco. It’s steep and slippery if wet but you can get a glimpse of the cars heading to the Kleine Karussell. In this case in the rain just before the red flag was deployed in the 2018 N24.
Climbing up to the bank above the Kleine Karussell (S) gives a great shot back. Again, it is fence with viewing windows.
There is one final spot on this guide and it is arguably one of the best on the track. There is minimal fence on the inside of Galgenkopf as the cars come out of the corner at speed to head on to the long Dottinger Hohe straight.
Oh, and its only about 3km to walk back to the Start !
Photographic Post Script Hints and Tips
• You should assume you will get all kinds of weather – on the same day
• It can be low cloud, mizzle and cold through to really hot – on the same day
• Around the Nordschleife, as opposed to the GP circuit, you will need what your parents would describe as “sensible shoes”
• There’s a lot of elevation change – it’s about 300m from the highest point of the track to the lowest
• The complex behind the BMW and Bilstein Tribunes has various manufacturer areas, shops, a Subway, display areas and a couple of hotels. It is also under cover if it is raining …
• The major camping areas at Hatzenbach, Adenauer Forst, Breidscheid, Karussell / Wippermann, Brunnchen and Schwalbenschwantz all have catering (beer, currywurst, etc), fresh drinking water and portaloos for the N24. For the VLN that will probably only be Brunnchen, Pflanzgarten
• Nurburg has a range of eateries along with other local villages
• The fuel station on the Dottinger Hohe has a huge range of Spark and Minichamps replicas of road and race cars in 1/43 and 1/18 scales
• There is a Centerparc (Parc Eifel) about twenty minutes away. Whilst more functional than a UK Centrepark, they do have what you need if some of your party are not into motorsport including a pool complex, restaurant, shop
• Postage for tickets tends to be expensive to the UK; we buy when you get there – there’s a ticket booth near the Dorint Hotel
• In the current “lockdown” there are regular virtual NLS races with full commentary in English or German. If you are not an online gamer, these are quite useful in helping you understand where the track goes
The photos in this guide were taken between 2016 and 2019 by Andrew, David and Madeline Harbey on a variety of cameras – Nikon D850, D610, D3300 and Olympus E500. Typical lenses used were Nikkor 70-200mm zoom, 70-300mm zoom, 200-500mm zoom.
Resources
N24 website - https://www.24h-rennen.de/en/
NLS / VLN website - https://www.vln.de/en/startseite-en/
YouTube – Nurburgring – live (and more recently) virtual racing archive including English commentary - https://www.youtube.com/user/DerNuerburgring
Radio Show Limited – streamed video and audio from N24 and VLN races in English. Can be used for audio commentary / viewing action at the track – but check your overseas data limits http://www.radiolemans.co
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