Saar-Hunsrück Climb - 21st Leg: Kastellaun - Mannebach – Schmausemühle

As a result of the demanding climbing sections at Baybachklamm, the leg is graded as difficult and demands an absolutely secure footing and no tendency to get dizzy. The gorge is impassable if there is ice and snow. It starts in the heart of Kastellaun. Through the attractive old town, the route ascends to the castle ruin where you can take a look across the town. Then the route goes to Kastellaun Lake where adventure playgrounds and benches invite you to take a rest. Shortly after this we follow Trimmbach, then hike over open ground to Uhler Kopf, which reveals fantastic open views. Shortly after we reach Deimerbachtal, passing Junkersmühle and enjoy the exciting switch from idyllic valley meadow to wood for a short time. As this passes, we arrive at Mannebach where we experience an unusual change. We then walk though pretty Mannebach where the Witch’s House invites you to take a delicious break. Over open country with great views to the Eifel volcano, we arrive at Mannebacher Zwillingsbaum, where an info board tells us that 2 scenes from the “Heimat” film epic by Edgar Reitz were filmed. There is a short section, sometimes over fields, sometimes through woods that guides us with great open views to the border of Heyweiler. At the edge of the wood, the most spectacular section of today’s leg starts: linking with the Baybachklamm Dream Loop, the path goes through quaint woods to the edge of the cliff. From the Barreterlei outcrop, we can see the day’s destination deep below in the gorge. The demanding descent to Baybach is an adventure and our adrenaline level is sure to rise again thanks to some climbing sections secured by rope. In the middle of the wild romantic gorge, we finally reach the Schmausemühle, our destination for the day.