Trail Information

With its 255 mi (415 km) and 27 legs, the Saar-Hunsrück Climb hiking trail leads from Perl on the Moselle in the state of Saarland via Idar-Oberstein and the Hunsrück hills as far as Boppard on the Rhine, and via a detour to the Roman city of Trier.

Evaluation "German Hiking Seal"

With the "German Hiking Certificate" as a "premium trail", the Saar-Hunsrück-Steig has the highest award that a hiking trail can achieve in Europe. The certificate evaluates, among other things, the quality of experience of the trail and the quality of the signposting. Of all the hiking trails thus far certified with the German Hiking Certificate, it has achieved the highest score with 65 adventure points. The prerequisite for attaining the Hiking Certificate is consistent signposting throughout.
Additional information on the Hiking Seal: www.deutscheswanderinstitut.de

Trail Properties

The Saar-Hunsrück Climb is a nature-oriented trail, with 70 % leading over soft forest floor, on grass paths, or along brook runs. This special quality can, however, cause problem after longer periods of rain, and can make parts of the trail difficult to negotiate. Therefore, good, solid footwear is absolutely necessary.

Signposting

The signposting on the Saar-Hunsrück Climb is perfect and "unerr-able" and is checked and supplemented at least four times annually by the trail wardens. The entire Climb is marked throughout with the image of the logs (blue & green rectangle with stylized SH in white and the name Saar-Hunsrück-Steig). All distinctive trail forks are posted with signs. The pointers show both the trail direction and the point of origin. Near, middle, and finish objectives are each marked with kilometer information.

The Saar-Hunsrück Climb is laid out as a nature-oriented trail. Therefore it normally does not lead through built-up areas. That is why there are access ways leading to the next town or village. At the beginning of the access way from the Climb, the signpost shows the distance to the next town or village. Signposts and markers of the access ways have the Climb's logo in orange.

In addition, there are now uniform information boards in many places giving information on the next accommodations host (telephone number, opening hours, closing day, etc.). These boards are posted at the beginning of the access way, so that hikers can easily reach the desired accommodations host.

Closings or Detours

Should, for example, a section of the Saar-Hunsrück Climb be closed because of wood cutting in the forest, a detour will automatically be posted. In the winter, the trail may be impassable in the higher elevations because of snow and ice. Click here for information on such problems.

Philosophy

The Saar-Hunsrück Climb offers trekking at the highest level.

Special features
Landscape High Points
Rest and Taste Pleasure

The unique feature of the Climb: It is distinguished by a particularly large portion of natural paths and is the only long-distance hiking trail with more than 70 % natural paths over a distance of 254 mi/410 km, a feature unique in Europe. The well selected route offers a mix of narrow paths and wide trails. Small details constantly provide for new impressions.

The Saar-Hunsrück Climb advertizes with the challenge to "Experience the Diversity." And exactly this promise will be fulfilled on the 254 mi/410 km. The high experience value results chiefly from the diversity on nature: bizarre rocks, wonderfully winding brooks, vineyards, different forest formations, moors, magnificent valleys, and fantastic vistas make the trail enormously diverse. Several cultural high points such as Grimburg Castle, Wildenburg Castle, or the Celtic fortifications are an additional high point.

Hiking on the Saar-Hunsrück Climb also always means a bit of adventure. As far as possible, the Climb avoids built-up areas and leads almost exclusively through untouched landscape. Other passages lie remote from civilization and permit enjoyment of natural quiet. The Climb has a challenging profile with trekking character: a constant alternation of valleys and heights allows for crossing three borders.

The Climb offers hiking joined with taste pleasure of the highest quality. The numerous benches for resting are normally placed at especially lovely locations. Hikers can experience the popular "senses benches" at several lookout points. Hiking pleasure also means hiker-friendly restaurants. More than 70 "Quality Host Hikable Germany" restaurants on the Climb or in the vicinity await your visit.