Schaumberg Tour

Since Tholey Abbey reopened in October 2020, visitors have been able to admire 37 newly designed church windows there. Three of the chancel windows were designed by Gerhard Richter, the most significant living artist of our time.

Places to stop for refreshments on the tour:

Schaumberg Alm

To the Schaumberg Tower 2

66636 Tholey

Tel: 06853 – 9618333

www.schaumbergalm.de

Hubertus Hotel

Metzer Str. 1

66636 Tholey

www.hotellerie-hubertus

This tour starts at the Schaumberg plateau in Tholey. The striking tower is a well-known landmark, visible from afar, on the ‘local mountain of the Saarlanders’. Owing to its height, the Schaumberg served as a refuge even in Celtic times, and was further developed as a fortification during the Roman period. Even today, ramparts some four metres high can be seen below the summit. Around 1200, the Counts of Bliesgau built the ‘Schauenburg’, which was conquered by Franz von Sickingen in 1522 and completely destroyed during the Thirty Years’ War. Today, the mountain and its tower stand as a symbol of Franco-German friendship.

From the summit plateau, the route now continues over the ridge, down along the edge of the woodland onto a forest track. Here, we follow the ‘Herzweg’ for a short stretch – a popular walking trail that circles the summit of the Schaumberg. At the Schaumberger Hof, we leave the Herzweg and keep to the left, continuing our walk along the flank of the Schaumberg with beautiful views. We now head towards the small hamlet of Blasiusberg with its chapel, which is well worth a visit.

The Blasius Chapel traces its origins back to a hermitage inhabited by two Benedictine monks in the 18th century. However, the chapel’s origins probably date back to the 13th century.

The route now leads downhill along the tarmacked road and soon turns right off it onto a forest path. Here, a path leads steeply downhill into the valley of the Theel and, near the bridge, turns right into the small valley of the Hosch-Bach. The path follows the course of the stream, which is crossed several times. At a ford, you eventually head uphill to the left and soon cross a farm track, continuing uphill along the edge of the woodland. You then turn right into the woodland and eventually reach the road again. At a junction, we turn right and head towards the Schaumberg again. There we reach the impressive Africa Chapel, which houses a Pietà carved by German prisoners of war from the Second World War at the ‘Ram-Ram’ camp near Marrakesh.

Here we follow another section of the ‘Herzweg’ and walk along a level stretch, curving round the summit of the Schaumberg whilst enjoying numerous spectacular views. From the large car park by the main road, it is only a short detour to the Schaumbergbad with its adjoining adventure park.

From the car park, we initially continue along the Herzweg. Just before we emerge from the forest into a large clearing, the route leaves the circular path by turning left downhill and winds its way back down through the forest. Through the forest, the path first turns left and then right, before climbing steeply up to the Schaumberg summit at an altitude of 596 metres.

Report the condition of a path

Have you been out and about on our walking trails and spotted a fault or damage? If so, please do let us know by filling in our fault reporting form. Thank you very much for your help.

Fault Reporting Form

Please note:

As a general rule, you enter the forest and use the hiking trails at your own risk!

Depending on the season and weather conditions, extra care is required on certain sections of the trails. You should therefore wear clothing suitable for the season and weather, as well as walking boots with appropriate tread. Please be mindful of breaking branches and damaged trees. In strong winds, and in winter due to snow and ice, there is an increased risk of falling trees and falling branches.

Tholey Local Authority website – www.tholey.de

Saarland Tourist Board www.urlaub.saarland