The opening Saarland stage of the long-distance Saar-Hunsrück-Steig, climbing from the Mettlach abbey town along forested ridges to the Cloef viewpoint above the Saarschleife before continuing toward Rhineland-Palatinate.
This stage forms the Saarland gateway section of the long-distance Saar-Hunsrück-Steig, starting at Mettlach Abbey, reached by train to Mettlach station on the Saar valley line. Parking is available near the abbey for those arriving by car, and a regional bus runs back from Orscholz to Mettlach at the end of the stage for those not retracing their steps.
The stage covers 14 kilometres of the trail's full 411-kilometre length, with about 480 metres of cumulative elevation gain, climbing from the abbey town through forested ridges above the Saar valley. The surface is mostly packed dirt and root-crossed forest track, with some short rocky sections on the steeper climbs; there is limited exposure except at the Cloef viewpoint near the stage's end, where the path runs close to the plateau edge above the Saarschleife.
Key landmarks include Mettlach Abbey at the start, several ridge-top viewpoints over the Saar valley partway along, and the Cloef viewpoint above the Saarschleife near the stage's end, from which hikers can continue on toward Orscholz and the Baumwipfelpfad or the onward Saar-Hunsrück-Steig into Rhineland-Palatinate. Hikers seeking a shorter day can turn back at the ridge-top viewpoints roughly two-thirds of the way along, avoiding the final descent and the return bus connection. There are no refuge huts on this stage; a few forest clearings offer informal rest spots, and water should be carried from Mettlach, as there are no reliable refill points until Orscholz.
Given the distance and elevation gain, this stage suits hikers with hill-walking experience and reasonable fitness, though it requires no technical climbing skills.
| Distance | 14km stage (full trail is 411km) |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4.5-5 hours for this stage |
| Difficulty | moderate |
| Trailhead | Train to Mettlach station at the start; bus back from Orscholz |
| Best season | April to October |
| Address | Trailhead at Mettlach Abbey, Freiherr-vom-Stein-Strasse, 66693 Mettlach, Germany |
Trail facts
- Trail area
- Mettlach to Orscholz, Saarland
What to bring
- Hiking boots with ankle support
- 2 litres of water
- Trail food
- Map or GPS track of the Saar-Hunsrück-Steig
Weather through the year in Germany
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Germany.
Location
Trailhead at Mettlach Abbey, Freiherr-vom-Stein-Strasse, 66693 Mettlach, Germany
49.4959, 6.5936 View on map
Highlights
- Mettlach Abbey trailhead on the Saar valley line
- Forested ridge climbs above the Saar valley
- Cloef viewpoint over the Saarschleife near the stage's end
- Gateway stage of the 411-kilometre Saar-Hunsrück-Steig long-distance trail
Tips for visiting
- Carry at least 2 litres of water, since there are no refill points between Mettlach and Orscholz
- Wear hiking boots with ankle support for the root-crossed and occasionally rocky climbs
- Check the return bus timetable from Orscholz before setting out, as services are infrequent
- Carry a map or GPS track of the Saar-Hunsrück-Steig, since this is a single stage of a much longer waymarked trail
- Allow extra time in the final section near the Cloef viewpoint, which draws crowds in peak season
When to visit
April through October offers the most reliable trail conditions; forest sections can be slippery after autumn or winter rain, and the exposed Cloef viewpoint section is best avoided in high wind.
Accessibility
This stage is not wheelchair- or stroller-accessible; it involves sustained unpaved forest climbs, root-crossed track, and an exposed viewpoint section near a plateau edge.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the full Saar-Hunsrück-Steig trail?
No, this is a single 14-kilometre stage of the 411-kilometre long-distance trail, covering its Saarland starting section between Mettlach and Orscholz.
How do hikers get back to the start?
A regional bus runs from Orscholz back to Mettlach, or hikers can arrange a car shuttle in advance.
What is the terrain like on this stage?
The stage climbs forested ridges on packed dirt and occasionally rocky track, with about 480 metres of elevation gain and one exposed viewpoint section near the end.
Can this stage be combined with the Cloef-Panoramaweg?
Yes, the stage finishes at the Cloef viewpoint, from which hikers can join the shorter Cloef-Panoramaweg loop or visit the Baumwipfelpfad treetop walkway.