Ostertal Heights Cycle Path

The entire circular route is consistently well marked with directional signs and its own route logo. It starts at the community center/local history museum in Dörrenbach.

The old village with its attractively renovated farmhouses, old trees, and above all its village church built of red sandstone over 500 years ago with a Romanesque defensive tower is one of the most beautiful places in Saarland. But we head straight on and face the first steep climb.

About 100 meters of elevation take us up to the ridge between the Oster and Bliestal valleys. The first of many magnificent panoramic views opens up. On a varied route, we stay on the ridge heading toward Wendelinushof and can relax on comfortable sensory benches while taking in the wide views deep into the St. Wendel region. It’s worthwhile stopping at Wendelinushof with its gastronomy and local market, where you can stock up on fresh regional products.

After tackling the ascent to Bosenberg (485 m), we remain on the ridge and cycle following the signs to Hinkelsberger Hof, a pony farm. Our route leads directly over a forest descent past the Betzelbacher Mill to Hoof. Between Hoof and Haupersweiler we cycle through a lovely side valley up to the stone hill (444 m). Once again, the panoramic view delights us — then the long-awaited descent down into the Ostertal. We pass the halt of the Ostertal Railway. On certain days in the summer half-year (the timetable is posted locally), you can take the museum railway back from here to Dörrenbach. www.ostertalbahn.de

We accompany the Saarland Cycle Path, which we follow through the beautiful Ostertal to Osterbrücken. At the edge of Osterbrücken, we find a special covered picnic station built especially for cyclists. And if you like, you can continue this pleasurable ride along the Oster on the Saarland Cycle Path from the village square in Osterbrücken all the way back to Dörrenbach, our starting point. There is a free e-bike charging station at the village square in Osterbrücken.

The Ostertal Heights Cycle Path takes us further to Marth and up to Buberg (465 m). Once again, we enjoy fantastic panoramic views, then cycle steeply downhill into the Heidenbösch, where we turn right toward Dörrenbach at the highest point (439 m). After about 1 km of forest passage, we pass a transformer station, stay at this elevation, and cycle along the ridge of Lauberberg (440.3 m).

Now we enjoy the most beautiful and majestic panoramic view on this route. On one side, we overlook the entire middle Ostertal and on the other side deep into the "Palatinate land." Following the signs, a very long descent ensues, then through the small village of Saal, past Niederkirchen alongside a beautiful biotope to Werschweiler directly to the church. We turn left onto the L131, after 50 m turn right past the stork place and then through the Oster meadows back to Dörrenbach to the cyclists' rest oasis at the start point near the community center/local history museum Dörrenbach.

Tip: The beautifully situated restaurant "Waldhaus Hollinger" at the Labach pit is a great place to stop after the tour (3 km from Dörrenbach). Here you can pleasantly review the eventful day.

The Labach pit reminds of coal mining, which took place here from 1738 to 1953.

Trail condition and bike recommendation

The route mostly runs on gravel and natural paths, partly also on asphalt. Some sections are less well developed and only passable with mountain bikes or touring bikes with sufficiently wide tires. It is not recommended for trekking bikes with narrow, smooth tires. Due to the total of 595 meters of elevation distributed over several climbs, an e-bike or at least a good multi-gear shifting system is advantageous. After the halfway point from Osterbrücken, the return ride through the Ostertal via the Saarland Cycle Path offers an alternative shortcut option.

The Ostertal Heights Cycle Path is signed in both directions.

Current notes:

Since a route change in June 2021, the Ostertal Heights Cycle Path no longer runs over the L352 state road, but via Heidenbösch and Lauberberg through Saal and Werschweiler back to Dörrenbach.