Traumschleife (Dream Loop) Heimat

From the car park at the community centre in Gemünden, we walk a short distance along a grassy path past Simmerbach stream to the nearby bridge, then turn right, cross the stream and follow the main road for a short distance. At the Hotel Restaurant Gemünden, we walk to the right across Kreuznacher Straße to the forest nature trail in Peter-Meyer-Straße. Behind a seating area, we cross a small stream over a wooden footbridge and now follow a wonderful path that leads us along a stream through a small gorge up to the sports field. Once at the top, we enjoy a first view over Gemünden with its castle.

From here, the trail goes steadily uphill, partly along narrow paths through the forest, to the Koppenstein hikers’ car park. Half way along, we cross the K 61. At the hikers' car park we meet the Soonwaldsteig. Both hiking trails now run along the same path up to the Koppenstein castle ruins. There is not much left to see of the size of the former castle. However, many stories and legends about the Counts of Sponheim, the Lords of Schmidtburg and the Koppenstein Gretchen, the last inhabitant of the castle, have survived. The castle complex dates back to the 12th century and was owned by the counts of Sponheim. After Emperor Ludwig granted the town charter in 1330, the complex wasexpanded further. Koppenstein has never achieved great importance as a town. Towards the end of the 16th century, the inhabitants gradually left the town and settled in the nearby villages. In 1592 the complex ware described as “dilapidated”. In 1812, the Baron of Schmidtburg acquired the castle complex. His heirs and descendants, the Barons of Salis-Soglio, still own the ruin today.

The inside of the 16 m high keep can be climbed via a steel staircase. Once at the top, you can enjoy a magnificent 360-degree panoramic view of the Hunsrück plateau. A steel plate with the cardinal points and place names helps with orientation.

We continue our hike to the west directly at the keep. First we pass the so-called “Wackelstein”, a huge quartzite boulder that seems to float on the angled plane of its narrow base. After these extraordinary impressions, we descend into the forest via pathways. On the way, a seating area in the shady forest invites you to take a break. We then hike a short distance uphill on a wide forest path to a slope below Henau quarry with a fantastic view of the Kellenbach valley. Not only does the most adventurous part of the entire trail begin here, but a sure foot is also required here.  A sea of small and large quartzite rocks covers the ground. Many stones and boulders are covered with a thick carpet of moss. Up here there are lilies of the valley that bloom white in spring and bear red berries in autumn. In countless twists and turns, the path leads down the slope to another vantage point above the Simmerbach stream. 

Before we turn right at the lookout pulpit and leave the Soonwaldsteig, our view goes over to the Langenstein. The large rock outcrop rises up from the slate rock as a natural monument visible from afar. We follow the course of the dream circuit downhill through the forest. A little later, the path leaves the forest and leads through open fields. Slightly downhill we reach another part of forest. The crossing takes only a few minutes. Then the forest opens up and a magnificent meadow valley lies before us. We reach Gehlweiler on a wide path with good long-distance views.

We cross Gehlweiler, past the community hall and “Simons-Schmiede” and follow an old meadow path behind the village centre, which links Gehlweiler with the Grohenmühle. At the end of the trail, our hiking path meets the geo-educational trail and a rest area surrounded by boulders. After a short picnic, we take a gravel path up the slope. At the top, we enjoy a sensory bench and one last breathtaking panoramic view of Gemünden Castle. Now we go downhill, but only for a short distance to the former Kaisergrube. Once there, a board reminds us of slate mining in Gemünden and the surrounding area. The Kaisergrube was one of the largest of a total of 18 slate mines around Gemünden and was developed in 1873. The extensive slag heap of the Kaisergrube still gives an idea of the extent of the underground mining. Until 1961, mining was carried out on three levels at depths of 10 metres, 40 metres and 60 metres. Spectacular fossil finds in the past ensured the high profile of the Kaisergrube. A meadow path behind the houses on Simmertalstraße quickly brings us to the starting point of our tour.