The hike starts in the historic town centre and leads into the varied landscape of the gemstone region around Herrstein. Gentle ascents and descents, dreamy paths and stream valleys as well as spectacular views over the Hunsrück. The natural monuments "Jammereiche" and "Rabenkanzel" as well as benches for the senses, which invite you to linger, round off this hike. 2010 the medieval path was voted Germany's most beautiful hiking trail.
moderate
Distance 8.4 km
Duration3:30 h
Ascent289 m
Descent289 m
Highest point455 m
Lowest point308 m
The medieval trail begins in the historic centre of Herrstein. The richly decorated half-timbered houses from the 15th to 18th centuries bear witness to the architecture of the late Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque periods. An ensemble of around 60 town houses below the castle and church is grouped around the town hall square. A staircase leads the hiker to the castle church, the Schinderhannesturm and then to the nearby beech forest. Soon the undulating hills of the Hunsrück with their fields, meadows and forest become visible. Here you have a fantastic view over the patchwork of a wonderful meadow and field landscape, and the path crosses the Hosenbach over a wooden bridge. A plaque informs that in the nearby village of Niederhosenbach probably St. Hildegard von Bingen was born. At the natural monument "Rabenkanzel", a grey boulder of Taunus quartzite, a narrow path winds its way along the natural monument. After a short walk through the woods, you will find yourself back on a soft meadow path with fantastic views of the Hunsrück region. TIP: a guided tour through the historic centre of Herrstein (e.g. as a torchlight tour with a torch in your hand).
Author’s recommendation
Guided walks along the medieval trail are offered regularly. Refreshment stops can be found in the historic centre of Herrstein.
Author
Naheland-Touristik GmbH, www.naheland.net
Update: June 28, 2022
Premium route awarded the "Deutsches Wandersiegel"
Difficulty
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
455 m
Lowest point
308 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
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May
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Dec
Track types
Show elevation profile
Safety information
Paths close to nature, some ascents and descents (please note suitable footwear and weather conditions).
55756 Herrstein, Hauptstraße, Wooden entrance portal opposite the Bachweg car park
Turn-by-turn directions
The starting point of the hike is the historic Herrstein. We start in the main street opposite the Bachweg car park at the wooden entrance gate to the medieval path. The path leads us through the medieval village centre with its restored half-timbered houses. Passing the "Oberwörresbacher Kirchenpförtchen" and the "Hankelbrunnen" we reach the Clock Tower, Herrstein's landmark, through a battlement. We follow the path to the left into Uhrturmgasse, turn right into Schlossweg and reach the Rathausplatz, above whose half-timbered facades the Schinderhannesturm rises. Finally we pass the pillory and climb the steps to the castle church. Here you can enjoy a picturesque view of the town before leaving the historic Herrstein behind through a stone gate.The path now leads through the forest until we meet the open landscape and can enjoy the wide view of the surrounding fields, woods and villages. We follow the path across the fields, along the edge of the forest and finally cross the Hosenbach on a small wooden bridge. At the fork in the path, an information board points to the nearby village of Niederhosenbach, the probable birthplace of the famous Hildegard von Bingen.We keep left and finally turn right uphill into the forest. After a few minutes you reach the natural monument Rabenkanzel. A resting place for hikers invites you to rest there before you follow the narrow path that winds uphill between the trees. We follow the path through the forest and along the edge of the forest, past the village of Breitenthal. We continue uphill between open fields to the Jammereiche natural monument, where we can linger on a bench for our senses and enjoy the wide view. On the following route we have another opportunity to experience the impressive long-distance view, e.g. on the newly built viewing platform, which offers a view of 17 villages and the mountain ranges of the low mountain range. We then reach the Herrstein observation tower with its covered rest area.We continue on winding narrow paths down towards Herrstein. On the way, another rest area invites you to take a break and enjoy a view over the historic town. Once in Herrstein, we follow the Fischbach stream through the gardens and finally return to the starting point of our hike. A good opportunity to stroll through the historic town centre once again or to end the hike with a leisurely stop for refreshments.
Note
all notes on protected areas
Public transport
Idar-Oberstein train station, Mon-Fri continue with bus 346 or 351 to Herrstein, Post stop, (Sat+Sun continue with bus 351 (few journeys) to Mörschied and 3 km walk); timetables at www.rnn.info
Getting there
A1 exit Mehring, direction Morbach, B327 to Morbach, continue on L160 to Herrstein.
A61 exit Bad Kreuznach, direction Idar-Oberstein, B41 to exit Herrstein/Fischbach, continue on L160 to Herrstein.
Parking
Grand parking Brühlstraße (sur le terrain de sport)
Map set Saar-Hunsrück Nature Park with Saar-Hunsrück Climb, Covered hiking area: Saar-Hunsrück Nature Park, Scale 1:50,000 Saar-Hunsrück Climb Hiking Map, The complete route including many access routes as well as numerous information and tips on sights, leisure and refreshment facilities along the route, Scale 1:50,000.
Schön Wanderung durch Altstadt dann geht es über Felder und Wiesen. Man hat schöne Aussicht in die Ferne bei gutem Wetter. Im Hochsommer würde ich es glaub nicht gerne laufen da es nicht viel durch den Wald geht. Sitzgelegenheiten gibt es jede Menge. Mir hat die Tour gut gefallen sie war gut Ausgeschildert und gut zugehen.
Einfach wunderschön: Sehr abwechslungsreiche, kurzweilige Runde mit vielen Infos auf der Strecke. Sehenswerter Ort Herrstein. Wir sind am Vormittag bei kühlen 4 Grad und Schnee auf den Höhen gestartet. Nach Abschluss der Runde und schöner Einkehr in der Zehntscheune Sonne, 18 Grad.
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