recommended route
Dream Loop "Path of the Middle Ages"
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HerrsteinPhoto: Best of Wandern/Geli Scholtes, Edelsteinland
From the historic village centre, the hike sets off into the varied landscape of the gemstone region around Herrstein. Gentle ascents and descents, sleepy paths and stream valleys as well as spectacular views over the Hunsrück. The natural monuments “Jammereiche” and “Rabenkanzel” as well as sensory benches, which invite you to rest, round off this hike. The Medieval Trail was voted Germany’s most beautiful hiking trail in 2010.
The Medieval Trail starts in the historic village 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. In addition, there are picturesque alleys and Herrstein’s landmark, the old clock tower. A flight of steps takes the hiker to the castle church, the Schinderhannes Tower and then to the nearby beech forest. Soon the undulating hills of the Hunsrück with fields, meadows and forest become visible. Here you have fantastic views over the patchwork of a wonderful meadow and field landscape. The path leads over the Hosenbach stream over a wooden bridge. A plaque informs that Saint Hildegard of Bingen was probably born in the nearby village of Niederhosenbach. A narrow path winds along the natural monument "Rabenkanzel", a grey boulder made of Taunus quartzite. On a hill with a view over the various field formations stands the mighty Jammer Oak, an impressive natural monument with an eventful past.
After a short forest section, you are back on a soft meadow path with dream views of the Hunsrück countryside.
On the way back to Herrstein, a climb up the Herrstein lookout tower is not to be missed.
TIP: A guided tour through the historic centre of Herrstein (such as a torchlight tour holding a torch in your hand).
Author’s recommendation
Guided walks over the Medieval Path are frequently on offer. More Information www.edelsteinland.de/en/sightseeing
Places to stop for refreshments are available in the historic village centre of Herrstein.
Track types
Show elevation profileSafety information
Natural paths, some sections with ascents and descents (pay attention to suitable fotwear and weather conditions).
Tips and hints
Tourist information in EdelSteinLand:
Office Herrstein
Brühlstrasse 16
55756 Herrstein
phone + 49 6785 - 791400
Fax +49 6785 - 7981400
info@edelsteinland.de
www.edelsteinland.de/en
Office Idar-Oberstein
Main street 419
55743 Idar-Oberstein
Fon +6781 - 64871
Fax +6781 - 64878
info@edelsteinland.de
www.edelsteinland.de/en
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
The path now leads through the forest until we meet the open countryside and can enjoy the wide view of the surrounding fields, forests and villages. We follow the trail across the fields, along the edge of the forest and finally cross the Hosenbach stream 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 of Bingen.
We keep left and finally turn right uphill into the forest. After a few minutes you reach the natural monument Rabenkanzel. A hikers’ rest area invites you to spend some time there before we follow the narrow path that winds its way uphill between the trees. We follow the trail through the forest and along the edge of the forest, past the local community of Breitenthal. We continue uphill between open fields to the natural monument Jammereiche, where we can pause on a sensory bench and enjoy the vast view. On the next section of the trail, we again have the opportunity to take in the impressive distant view, e.g. on the viewing platform, which offers a view of 17 villages and the mountain ranges of the low mountain landscape. We then come to the Herrstein outlook tower with a covered rest area.
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 site. 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 take another stroll through the historic centre of the village or to round off the hike with a cosy stop for refreshments.
Note
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
from Fischbach-Weierbach regional train station: call bus 899 to Herrsteinfrom Idar-Oberstein railway station: call bus 850 or 856 and line 855 to Herrstein
Current 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
Large car park Brühlstraße (at the sports field)
Coordinates
Author’s map recommendations
Map set Saar-Hunsrück Nature Park with the Saar-Hunsrück-Trail, hiking area covered: Saar-Hunsrück Nature Park, Scale 1:50,000 Saar-Hunsrück-Trail hiking map, The complete route including many access routes as well as plenty of information and tips on places of interest, leisure and refreshment facilities along the route, Scale 1:50,000.
Equipment
Hiking footwear essential!
Our tips for carefree hiking fun:
Hiking is the perfect sport. With the right clothes and shoes, it's twice as much fun. Functional clothing, poles and breathable backpacks are good choices when hiking. But good footwear is indispensable. Sturdy jogging or leisure shoes are at best only suitable for short distances on flat paths. For longer walks, we recommend sturdy hiking boots with non-slip soles. Also remember to take sunscreen and a drink. A litre of water is best.
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