Moselsteig Side Trail König-Johann-Runde

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old city wall in the center, 54450 Freudenburg

The König-Johann Circular Trail starts at Weiherplatz in Freudenburg. The starting point for the hike is by the restored city walls next to a fountain and seating. After taking some steps downhill you will find yourself on a section of path surrounded by untouched nature. The slightly undulating path leads past the rock face on top of which you can see the houses of the old town centre of Freudenburg. At the Freudenburg castle ruins, the hiking trail goes through the castle moat to a bench where you can enjoy a first glimpse into the Leuktal valley. Continuing along the path to the top of the castle, then downhill, you will reach the valley of the Freudenburg stream. At the new footbridge you will see a cluster of tables and benches ideal for a well-timed rest. The next section of the trail is flat and leads through the Herrenwald forest to a barbecue hut where you can stop for a break at canopy-covered benches. After crossing Gartenstraße, the side trail leads back into the forest. After taking a sharp turn to the right, the trail leads past the Wenigbach stream, which has cut its bed deep into the rocks in this area. This beautiful section of the trail is disrupted only by the bridge at the Ewigbach stream crossing. Just beyond the bridge a panoramic view opens up across the Leuktal valley up to the peaks of the Saargau ridge. The bench here marks the beginning of a section of path which encounters a variety of different forest formations. The stream to the left forms the state border with Saarland. Initially level, then moving downhill, the side trail leads down into the Leukbachtal valley. At the edge of the wood you are met with a wonderful view of the imposing unteren Stegmühle manor building. After crossing the road, and passing the mountain hut, the trail runs through the romantic Leukbachtal valley. When you come to the stone bridge you can take a detour to witness the wild beauty of the Ewigbachtälchen valley, where the stream’s valley ends in an imposing rocky backdrop after approx. 200 m. Continuing on a gradual downhill with the floodplain of the Leuk on the left and the rock formations of the coloured sandstone on the right, a view of Kollesleuken is revealed from a mushroom-shaped rock. Through the meadow valley by the Herrenmühle mill across the Leuk you will reach the left bank of the stream. A slightly undulating section of path leads through a beech forest and past rock formations. Footbridges have been built at different locations between the mill pond of the Hackenberg mill and the rock faces. The newly redesigned Mühlenplatz in Kollesleuken is a perfect place to stop for a break. Further along, the path leads past the edge of the woods, offering beautiful views into the Leuk’s meadow valley. Now the trail starts its first climb, leading along a forest trail, then on an uphill path towards the Klingerheck wooded area. After following an even gradient through the tall beech forest, another path section begins before you emerge from the wood to see a rest stop. You will reach the L 131 below the Eiderberg. Be careful when crossing the street. After passing a hedge with wonderful panoramic view of the Saargau ridge, the trail starts to get really steep again. Now you’re in the Eiderberg nature conservation area. This section of the trail is home to rare plants that come out in the early summer. The highest point of the Eiderberg is also the highest point of the König-Johann Circular Trail hike. From up here you can enjoy a panoramic view like no other, with views to Saarland, the Saargau and across the Saar to the Osburger Hochwald (the Osburg Upland Forest). Still in the natural conservation area, the path leads past ancient stone bridges and then downhill into the district of Freudenburg. Past the Jewish cemetery and along Kelterplatz, it’s just a few metres back to the starting point at Weiherplatz.