Moselsteig Trail Stage 01: Perl – Palzem

The first stage of the Moselsteig Trail starts at the Maimühle (May Mill), only a few steps away from the Perl railway station. On the next 6 km the Moselsteig Trail - with small interruptions - is accompanied by the Saar-Hunsrück Trail. Start off through the May Mill site, cross the Bahnhofstrasse and continue on a path to the traffic circle. You will quickly leave the hustle and bustle of the traffic behind you and hike uphill across meadows and past fruit trees to reach the outer residential areas of Perl.

The Moselsteig Trail continues uphill on quiet residential roads and reaches its first official starting point and the first highlight of this section: the exclusive three-country view (Dreiländerblick). Here, you can have a foot in two countries at the same time (Germany and France) and enjoy the view! And Luxembourg, on the opposite side of the Moselle is also within your grasp. The following section is a true border trail. The many border stones clearly show how the Moselsteig Trail meanders between Germany and France. The trail continuously offers stunning views towards France, and plant lovers can admire the orchids in summer. This quickly lets you forget the strenuous steep incline of the path. Once you’re at the top, you will arrive at the Hammelsberg mountain hut. A beautiful resting place where you can let the first impressions of the day sink in.

The next section is not as strenuous. The Moselsteig Trail now continues, either level or slightly descending, as a path through a forest of mainly pine trees. Once you reach the edge of the forest, you continue uphill. The path runs through hedges and shrubs and after a long path of steep steps, it continues along the slope. The viewing point opens up the view to the west: beyond Perl and right to Luxembourg. The hedges and shrubs have given way, and once the path reaches the top, it winds through a magical beech forest with giant trunks. You will leave the forest on a tar road and hike across a meadow and arable island, passing a row of fruit trees, to the other edge of the forest. The Moselsteig Trail now follows this and, on a meadow path, leads to a covered picnic area. A fantastic resting area in the midst of nature!

After a break, you carry on, past a row of old fruit trees, back to the forest. Soon, you will reach the B 407, which the Moselsteig Trail crosses directly. (If you want to shorten the route, you can also descend here to the Rabüschek parking area). You now hike steeply downhill to the Pfaffenbach Valley. Here, the Saar-Hunsrück Trail finally leaves the Moselsteig Trail. The Moselsteig Trail continues downhill on a forest trail to the valley. This section has a slight slope and you will quickly manage it without much strain. At the edge of the forest, the trail also crosses the motorway which runs over a bridge here. After a short distance on the road, you continue on a dirt road to the edge of the forest at the other side of the valley. The path now ascends slightly, passes orchard meadows and finally reaches the outskirts of Wochern. Follow the Nikolausstraße downhill to the town centre at the church. You can also take a short break at the pretty square away from the thoroughfare!

After a few meters you will have left the small town again and are hiking through meadows filled with fruit trees, through fields and woodland. The ruins of the Siegfried Line defence facilities are only a few hundred meters away after you cross the road to Tettingen. Are you up to a little sight-seeing? On the other side of the road you straight back to the forest. After crossing a small valley, the path arrives at the outskirts of Tettingen. You cross the road and slowly follow the up and down of the path, through the pasture grounds of the at Winterthur. A downhill tar road takes you to the edge of the forest and the Moselsteig Trail takes you back into the forest.

A board in one of the orchard meadows explains the geological features of the region. The limestone shows the typical karst phenomena. A little further in the forest, you will find a sink-hole. Rest on one of the loungers at the edge of the forest and enjoy the vista; far to the west, right up to Luxembourg. The path now continues uphill and passes the access routes to Sinz (good bus connection) and to Nennig (railway station) with its unique Roman mosaic.

Once you have arrived at the top, the Moselsteig Trail soon meets the national road, which you cross on a level section. Continue through the forest, and pass the Lonnenbach at the edge of the forest. The Moselsteig Trail now runs along the course of the river for a short distance and then ascends to the edge of the forest. After crossing a small tar road you will pass the flat ridge. Up to now the view was only open to the south. Now the path leaves the forest completely at a resting place and opens up the view to the west, and you can admire the Moselle Valley!