Dream loops in the Hunsrück

Diese wildromantische Landschaft in Rhineland-Palatinate sieht ein bisschen so aus, als sei sie von Feen, Trollen und Zauberern erschaffen worden. Doch es waren Bäche, die sich seit Jahrmillionen in den Schiefer des Hunsrücks gruben und spektakuläre Schluchten und Klammen formten. 111 Traumschleifen führen durch die einzigartige Natur. Fünf schöne Wandertouren stellen wir euch hier vor.

Table of Contents:
1. Baybachklamm
2. Ehrbachklamm
3. Murscher Eselche
4. Masdasch castle road
5. Hunolstein Gorge Tour

Steep descents, breathtaking ascents, rugged rock formations and expansive views: the Baybachklamm is also called the Grand Canyon of the Hunsrück because of its spectacular scenery. The Baybach rises at an altitude of 450 meters and has dug itself so deeply into the Hunsrück slate rock that the gorge-like valley narrows into a gorge near Waldeck Castle. The eleven-kilometer hiking tour leads from the flattened Hunsrück heights down to the Baybach and over narrow rocky paths, oak and hornbeam forests, and moss-covered slopes to the ascent again. In total, there are 400 meters of ascent and descent. In some places there are rope belays to make it easier for you to master the trail with its often angular rock steps and large tree roots. 

At the halfway point, where only the gurgling of the brook and the chirping of birds can be heard, the Schmausemühle invites you to have a snack. A little further on, in the middle of the forest, stands the abandoned Heyweiler Bauernmühle. From here, the trail climbs back up to the Hunsrück plateau, where you can enjoy wonderful panoramic views, for example of Waldeck Castle. But there is still another highlight waiting for you: The rocky cliff Barreterlei, from which it goes down 70 meters vertically. It is guaranteed to become your favorite spot, because from here you can look down into the valley and into the distance to forested Hunsrück hills. All info about the tour

Quietly creaking wooden bridges, Enchanted forest, Schäferbrünnchen and Teufelskanzel (Devil's Pulpit): The dream loop through the Ehrbachklamm gorge is a varied, almost nine-kilometer-long hike with 390 meters of ascent and descent. The trail leads across fields and meadows on the Hunsrück plateau to the first vantage point, Beulslay. The view from there extends over the typical notch valleys of the low mountain range to the Brandengraben mill from the 18th century. A gravel path leads down into the gorge, where the Ehrbach has dug itself deeper and deeper into the hard rock with perseverance. Its water ripples between the rocks. Well-secured bridges and footbridges lead across the stream, which meanders through an enchantingly green forest. The scent of the forest floor, damp and earthy, rises to your nose. Your eyes wander among the crevices in the mossy slate rock, the ferns, and the gnarled tree trunks. What has just moved there, perhaps a fairy or a forest gnome? The only steep ascent of the tour leads in serpentines up the wall of the Ehrbachklamm. At the top, a resting place with a devilishly good view awaits you at the Teufelskanzel (Devil's Pulpit Rock) and the Schäferbrünnchen (Shepherd's Fountain) at Winkelholz. Its water is said to strengthen love ... All info about the tour

Historic colliery trail, beautiful Baybach Valley, Local poets, half-timbered houses and rocky spurs with a dream view: this circular route is so varied and unusual that it was nominated by Wandermagazin a few years ago as Germany's most beautiful hiking trail. It leads from Morshausen, the birthplace of the Hunsrück writer Jakob Kneip, in the direction of Baybachtal. If you want to enjoy a bit of culture before diving into nature, check out the lovingly restored half-timbered houses of the village of 350 inhabitants, the Jakob Kneip Museum in the old bakehouse, and the Schwengelbrunnen fountain. 

The historic colliery road, der mit kreativen Skulpturen an den hiesigen Bergbau erinnert, führt abwärts in Richtung unteres Baybachtal bis zur Erzgrube Theresia. Hier wurden einst Blei, Zink und Silber abgebaut. Eine Brücke über den Baybach markiert den anspruchsvolleren Teil der elf Kilometer langen Strecke. Über eine Steigung kommt ihr zu „Hampit, dem Jäger“, einer Romanfigur von Jakob Kneip. Auf einer Sinnenbank könnt ihr rasten, den Augenblick genießen und das Eselche entdecken, einen Felssporn, der dem Wanderweg seinen Namen gab. Er ist über einen seilgesicherten Abstieg in den Talgrund und einen Serpentinenpfad aufwärts zu erreichen. Die Anstrengung lohnt sich, denn der Blick aufs Tal und in die Eifel ist grandios. Murscher ist im Hunsrücker Dialekt übrigens das Wort für Morshausen – und dort ist dann auch wieder der Endpunkt der Wanderstrecke. All info about the tour

Wild streams, a defiant castle ruin, a gallows tower, old mills and lots of forest: the almost 14-kilometer hiking trail around the Balduinseck castle ruins leads through solitude and silence, partly open fields and dense forests. The trail starts along the Masterhausener Bach stream over small bridges and footbridges to a clearing. Here you will see for the first time the remains of the mighty castle, which the Trier Archbishop Balduin of Luxembourg had built between 1325 and 1330. 

Rugged slate cliffs and many old mills säumen fortan den Weg, der sich durch verwunschene Täler schlängelt – mit insgesamt 300 Höhenmetern Auf- und Abstieg. Das leise Murmeln des Baches sowie das Licht- und Schattenspiel der Bäume versetzen euch mit etwas Glück in eine Art meditative Kontemplation, bis am Rastplatz Katzenloch plötzlich die riesige Burgruine vor euch aufragt. Sie thront auf einem markanten Felsvorsprung. Der Anstieg auf den Burgberg ist steil, doch das viereckige und viergeschossige Bauwerk ist es wert. Es wurde vor einigen Jahren nach Denkmalschutzkriterien restauriert. Lust auf Nervenkitzel? Dann zweigt ein Stück weiter zur Hängeseilbrücke Geierlay ab. Die 360 Meter lange Fußgänger-Seilbrücke in 100 Metern Höhe über dem Mörsdorfer Bachtal gilt als die längste Hängeseilbrücke Deutschlands. Über die ehemalige Erzgrube Apollo und den 2008 erbauten Galgenturm, der an einen römischen Wachturm erinnert, weisen euch die lila-weißen Traumschleifen-Schilder den Weg zurück. All info about the tour

Quiet valleys, the bubbling Dhron and a spectacular gorge trail: The eleven-kilometer-long dream loop begins in Morbach at the foot of the Hunolstein ruins. The castle was owned by the bailiffs of Hunolstein for 300 years. Unfortunately, only a few remaining walls of the imposing appearance are preserved today. The first highlight of the hike is the quartzite rock above the castle walls, on which 60 steps lead. The view into the valley and to the wooded Hunsrück heights is a dream! A shady forest path leads you down into the valley of the Dhron, which winds its way between small and large boulders. The next highlight of the round tour is coming up: the 800 meter long path through the Hölzbachklamm gorge. Here you can feel and hear the power of the elements! 

A wide forest path After leaving the gorge, the trail takes you down the valley to the Herrenwiesen meadows and the lowest point of the tour. At the Schafpuhl bridge you cross the Dhron. In former times the farmers dammed up the brook here to drive the sheep into it and to clean the fur before shearing. Now the path winds uphill through an oak grove to a long straight with fantastic views back to the starting point, where you will have mastered 300 meters of ascent and 270 meters of descent. All info about the tour

Cover photo: One of the most interesting sights on the Masdasch Castle Trail is Balduinseck Castle, which is threatened by collapse © Rheinland-Pfalz Tourismus GmbH / Dominik Ketz