recommended route
Traumschleife Gipfelrauschen (Wuthering Peak Dream Loop)
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Blick in den NationalparkPhoto: Daniel Thiel, Tourist-Information Thalfang
With the “Windklang” sculpture on the Erbeskopf in view, the path climbs steeply from Hunsrückhaus. After that, it leads almost without exception along nature trails through the Hunsrück-Hochwald National Park, often with only the rustling of the treetops to be heard.
This nature dream loop leads through the Hunsrück-Hochwald National Park. The view from the viewing plateau of the Windklang sculpture, even as far as the Eifel, is magnificent. Then the highest peak in Rhineland-Palatinate, the Erbeskopf, is crossed. Past the wooden lookout tower on the summit, the crossing follows a special forest.
Any sound of civilisation is far away and silence will accompany the hiker for the next few kilometres, on narrow, earthy forest paths in the forest around the Erbeskopf. In the large forest area of the Hunsrück, you learn a lot about the growth and decay of trees. Young wood with young green towers up next to dead wood, whilst fallen giant trees are covered in moss and lichen. Tree sponges grow close together on many tree stumps.
Over countless twists and turns, the path leads through the Hunsrück forest, sometimes on the hillside, sometimes over the hillside, sometimes uphill and sometimes downhill. Things become exciting when the hiking trail leads along or over the hillside moors, where the water gurgles. Before you know it, a careless step into the soft bog can lead to very wet feet.
The trail was rated 75 experience points by the German Hiking Institute.
Author’s recommendation
At the Erbeskopf, the highest mountain in Rhineland-Palatinate at 816 metres, everything revolves around a relaxing and active leisure experience. With the “Windklang” viewing platform, the adventure area with forest playground and sensory experience trail, the Erbeskopf summer toboggan run, the Highlive forest ropes course and the Erbeskopf National Park Gate with the interactive exhibition “Welcome to the primeval forest of tomorrow”, there is plenty of variety on offer.
Track types
Show elevation profileSafety information
Some of the dream loops are steep, difficult and, in rainy or winter weather, slippery. Therefore, surefootedness and good physical condition are essential prerequisites for hiking these premium circular trails.
Tips and hints
Urlaubsregion Thalfang am Erbeskopf, Saarstr. 3, 54424 Thalfang, Phone +49 6504 914050, www.erbeskopf.de
Hunsrück-Touristik GmbH, Gebäude 663, 55483 Hahn-Flughafen, Phone +49 6543 507700, www.hunsruecktouristik.de
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
Our hike starts opposite the Erbeskopf National Park Gate (formerly Hunsrückhaus), at the foot of the Erbeskopf, at around 650 metres altitude.
Directly from the car park, the summit welcomes us with the impressive “Windklang” viewing platform. The trail takes you uphill to start. Parallel to the ski slope, a path leads us through the spruce forest and then a steep “zig-zag” leads up to the summit. At the same time, sensory benches and resting benches offer the opportunity to rest a little while enjoying the magnificent view. After 500 metres of trail and 100 metres of altitude, we reach the summit. Once at the top, the viewing platform offers us a magnificent panoramic view over the Hunsrück landscape far into the Eifel. After a short walk across the summit plateau, the hiking trail now leads us over soft forest soil and through the idyllic, rustic natural landscape of the Hunsrück-Hochwald National Park. The nature path is only briefly interrupted by forest paths for a few metres. Our constant companions are dead tree stumps, mossy branches and trees, patches of grass, ferns and moss, and the rustling and voices of the forest. We enjoy this mysterious atmosphere in the many rest areas. Furthermore, there are always views into and over quiet valleys and wooded heights.
In the last third of the hiking route, a narrow path leads us past the edge of the “Ehlesbruch”. In the middle of the moorland, a bench invites you to enjoy the silence of nature. Afterwards, a path leads us through a dense fir forest. At the end of the forest tunnel, a winding path goes to the left. From there we hike along forest paths and across the adventure area at Hunsrückhaus back to the starting point.
Note
Getting there
On the L164 from Thalfang in the direction of Birkenfeld/Idar Oberstein. On the B268 from Birkenfeld towards Morbach, exit towards Thalfang.
Car park Hunsrückhaus. Tour start directly from the car park.
Parking
Car park at Hunsrückhaus/ Erbeskopf National Park GateCoordinates
Book recommendation by the author
Free of charge:
Brochure "Erlebnis Traumschleifen" with route sketches, altitude profiles, short descriptions and tips for stopping off at all 111 dream loops
and Traumschleifen overview map - light folding map with a rough overview of all 111 Traumschleifen.
Information and request at www.saar-hunsrueck-steig.de/prospekte
Travel guides and books available for a fee in the shop at www.saar-hunsrueck-steig.de
Equipment
Sturdy footwear (hiking boots) is strongly recommended. Walking sticks prove to be very helpful.
Statistics
- 6 Waypoints
- 6 Waypoints
Questions and answers
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Rating
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