Over the ridge, which is surrounded by the Saar, the path leads through the forest to the mountain spur and Montclair Castle. Montclair Castle, first mentioned in a document in 1168, was one of the most imposing castles in Germany and was considered impregnable. In 1351, after a lengthy siege, it was taken and subsequently razed to the ground.
The banks of the Saar below the castle are part of the Saarschleife Landscape Park.
The "Welles" ferry can be rung with a bell. The only ferry in Saarland takes hikers and cyclists safely to the other side of the Saar.
In the Steinbachtal nature reserve, the route crosses a number of wooden bridges and many steps. It climbs steadily upwards. The foliage of the trees barely lets any sunlight into the narrow valley. Thick mosses grow on mighty rock formations and the surrounding deadwood. The valley is breathtakingly quiet.
The view of Germany's most beautiful river bend from the Cloef viewpoint is particularly impressive from the platform of the treetop walk.
The path back to Mettlach leads over rocky terrain to several vantage points with picturesque views of the Saar valley and the wooded ridge with Montclair Castle.
The trail has been awarded 95 experience points by the German Hiking Institute.
Ferry times:
April to October: daily from 10.00 am - 5.45 pm
Monday day off
If Monday is a public holiday, the day of rest shifts to Tuesday.
November and March: Ferry runs at weekends,
December to February: closed.
Please note: At the enjoyment stations, you must identify yourself with your ID card or driving licence via so-called "age check readers". You can then purchase drinks from the "Ebbes von Hei!" partners. Don't forget to bring small change, as payment for all drinks is based on trust.
Autorentipp
Do you like this tour? Then help us maintain the trail with your hiking cent!
Send an SMS with "TRAUM" to 81190 to donate €2 - Thank you!
Wegbeschreibung
From the starting point, the parish church of St Lutwinus in Mettlach, the trail leads past the church along Gangolfer Straße and Prälat-Koll-Weg and uphill past the cemetery on the left until we reach a well-maintained forest path. Follow this path first uphill and then along the ridge to Montclair Castle, which offers the opportunity to visit and stop for refreshments. Follow the markings downhill in serpentines to the Saar bend - here the Saar has carved an impressive bend into the river bed.
A ferry takes us to the other bank. You have to ring a bell to attract the ferryman's attention. Please note that the ferry is not in operation from December to February, in November and March only at weekends, and there is no ferry service on Mondays all year round!
Wooden bridges and steps make the following path through the nature-protected Steinbach valley a real hiking experience and we continue uphill on partly steep paths to the Cloef viewpoint and enjoy an overwhelming view of the Saar Loop from the top.
Here on the steep side of the bend in the river, our route follows a variety of paths and takes us past a refuge, across the Weselbach stream and through the Wellesbach valley. The paths remain narrow and steep, with rocky balcony after rocky balcony on the way back to Mettlach. There you first cross the bridge and then walk through the pedestrian zone back to our starting point at the church.
Ausrüstung
Sturdy footwear is required, hiking poles recommended.
Sicherheitshinweise
Report road conditions
We welcome feedback on the condition of your route.
To do this, click on the compass symbol in the top left-hand corner of the app's map view.
Simply send your current location coordinates to wegezustand@tz-s.de using the "Share" button
Please include a photo and description.
Thank you for your support!
Attention:
Entering the forest and walking on the hiking trails is always at your own risk!
Depending on the season and the weather, you may need to be more sure-footed on certain sections of the trail. Therefore, wear clothing appropriate to the season and the weather and hiking boots with an appropriate tread. Be careful of breaking branches and damaged trees. In stronger winds and in winter due to snow and ice, the dangers of falling trees and crown pieces increase.
Weitere Informationen
Our arrangements for the tour:
Saarschleife Table Tour Special
Our Tafeltour partner business:
Landhotel Saarschleife
Cloefstr. 44
66693 Mettlach
Tel. +49 (0)6865 / 179-0
Further refreshment stops:
Cloef Atrium - Bistro Mirabell
66693 Mettlach
Phone: +49 (0)6865 / 91 15-200
Bistro in Montclair Castle
Phone: +49 (0)6861 - 80 235
Mettlach Abbey Brewery
Bahnhofstraße 32
66693 Mettlach
Phone: +49 (0)6864 / 932 32
Catering in Mettlach
Website of the municipality of Mettlach - www.mettlach.de
Tourist information Mettlach
Phone: +49 (0) 68 65 / 91 15 0
Fax: +49 (0) 68 65 / 91 15 120
Web: www.touristinfo-mettlach.de
Email: info@touristinfo-mettlach.de
Tourist Information Orscholz
Conference and visitor centre
Cloef Atrium
Phone: +49 (0) 68 65 / 91 15 0
Fax: +49 (0) 68 65 / 91 15 120
Web: www.touristinfo-mettlach.de
Email: info@touristinfo-mettlach.de
Saarland Tourist Information Centre
Tel: 0681 - 9 27 20 - 0
www.urlaub.saarland
