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Circular hiking trail through the charming Buntsandstein area of the Kirkeler Forest. Dreamlike paths lead you through the forest from Kirkeler Taubental into the Kirkeler core zone and back. A longer detour towards Kirkeler Castle is easily possible in this forest section.
The approximately 11 km long Butterfly Trail starts with the new routing at the hiking car park in Taubental, near Homburg-Beeden. Those who hike the path clockwise will first pass through a young pine forest in Fuchs- and Taubental and a few kilometers further on through a magnificent, more open forest section with beech and oak trees as well as along old, bizarre sandstone rock formations. The Butterfly Trail runs through many small curves, reminiscent of a butterfly's wing – hence the name of the path. The tour continues over the so-called "Hoher Kopf" in a wonderful forest area that belongs to the core zone of the Bliesgau Biosphere Reserve. Here the forest is left to itself so that the animal and plant life can recover and be preserved. On the return way, the trail passes the Gengelsberg meadow and ends again after a few hundred meters at the starting point of the official hiking trail. Along the paved path by the so-called Sandgrube, the circular tour ends again at the hiking car park Taubental.
Those who want to be on the trail for longer than 11 km can take a longer detour to Kirkeler Castle after half the circular tour. Here you can climb the castle tower and enjoy a beautiful panoramic view over Kirkel and the surroundings. Various events for big and small "knights" are offered around the castle throughout the year, such as the Kirkeler Castle Summer or the "Kirkeler Burgweynacht". Inns mainly offering Saarland cuisine invite you around the castle – another reason why Romans and knights already enjoyed staying here in the past.
Author’s recommendation
Unlike the heavily frequented rock trail, the Butterfly Trail is a secret tip for hiking enthusiasts who want to enjoy the silence in beautiful nature.
Also read on the information boards what makes the core zone and the Kirkeler Forest so special and feel free to settle down at the local gastronomy nearby:
Dining options:
Ressmann's Restaurant, Kaiserstraße 87, 66459 Kirkel, Tel.: 0 68 49 / 9 00 00, www.ressmanns-residence.de
Naturfreundehaus, Limbacher Weg 8, 66459 Kirkel, Tel.: 0 68 49 / 3 85, www.naturfreundehaus-kirkel.naturfreunde-saar.de
Burgschenke, Schlossbergstraße 8, 66459 Kirkel, Tel.: 0 68 49 / 65 88 or 0151 / 18 84 82 38, www.burgschenke-kirkel.de
In Kirkel-Neuhäusel there are several dining options.
Fischerhütte Beeden, In der Mastau 1, 66424 Homburg-Beeden, Tel.: 0 68 41 / 33 53, https://beeden.saarland/tag/fischerhuette/
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Rest stops
Fischerhütte BeedenZur Burgschenke
Ressmann's Residence
Kirkel local history and castle museum
Kirkel Nature Lovers’ Centre
Grunder Guest House – Bistro Zuse 8
Safety information
Attention:
Entering the forest and walking on the hiking trails is at your own risk.
Seasonally or weather-related, increased surefootedness is required on some trail sections.
Please wear clothing and hiking boots with appropriate tread adapted to the season and weather.
TOGETHER WITH RESPECT
Friendliness, understanding, and consideration for each other are principles for the cooperative use of our natural area. The code of conduct is:
Use existing paths, follow signs, and respect trail closures
Do not leave traces such as litter or dog waste and treat the path gently
Respect other users of forest and fields
Be considerate of animals and plants
Plan ahead and use daylight
DISCLAIMER:
Despite repeated checks and careful preparation of the route descriptions, the publisher assumes no liability for the accuracy and completeness of the information in this description.
USAGE NOTE:
Dear hiking friends, the hiking trails also lead along natural paths through untouched nature reserves and forests. Preserving and protecting nature is important to us.
We also want to point out the risks and therefore ask you to stay on the designated paths and not to enter existing rock heads for safety reasons. Furthermore, we point out the presence of natural forest hazards. Depending on the weather, some places on the path can be soft and slippery and must therefore be walked with particular caution. Solid footwear is recommended on all tours, surefootedness is essential.
Use of the hiking trails and premium hiking trails is at your own risk.
MARKING AND SIGNAGE:
All quality trails are circular routes that can be walked in both directions. Therefore, signs are shown for both directions. Try walking the route the other way around and you will discover completely new perspectives and different views.
Tips and suggestions
Have you discovered a defect on the route? Then report it using our defect reporter: https://bit.ly/MaengelmelderBliesgau
Thank you very much for your help.
Roadbook
The approximately 11 km long Butterfly Trail starts at the hiking car park in Taubental, near Homburg-Beeden. Follow the paved path straight ahead and turn right at the large intersection. Walk straight ahead for a few hundred meters and then turn left at the T-junction (this corresponds to the recommended hiking direction). Here, hike the steeper ascent for a few hundred meters upwards and keep left at the next fork. There, enter the narrow path and follow it to the rocks (built-in bat cave). At a rock, hike upwards to the right and follow the path to the wider forest road. Turn left here and follow the forest road for a few meters, then turn right and follow the so-called "Hoher Kopf" up to the Gengelsberg meadow. At the meadow, turn right at the bottom and follow the fields to the start of the route. From there, continue back along the paved path to the car park.
Storks Beeden and Beeder Brünnchen
Zur Burgschenke
Ressmann's Residence
Kirkel Castle
Kirkel local history and castle museum
Kirkel Nature Lovers’ Centre
Grunder Guest House – Bistro Zuse 8
Public transport
Kirkel can be easily reached by bus and train with the regional train or regional express from Trier/Saarbrücken/St. Ingbert or from the direction of Homburg/Kaiserslautern/Mannheim. From Kirkel station you can reach the alternative start to the route near the Naturfreundehaus in Kirkel in about 30 minutes on foot (2.5 km).
With bus line 547 you can reach Kirkel daily from St. Ingbert or Blieskastel. The Kohlroterweg stop is only about a 15-20 minute walk (1.5 km) from the closest possible entry point to the route.
Directions
At the hiking car park in Taubental
Note on the meeting point:
Coming from Beeden or Limbach towards Wörschweiler, turn right onto the paved path on the L222 in the long left curve. Follow this for 300 meters and pass under the motorway bridge. Then turn left into the car park.
Parking
Hiking car park Taubental: L222 (Limbach/Beeden towards Wörschweiler)
From Kirkel:
Hiking car park at Naturfreundehaus: Limbacher Weg 8, 66459 Kirkel
Marketplace: Wielandstraße, 66459 Kirkel - Neuhäusel
Norma car park: An den Kirschbäumen 1, 66459 Kirkel – Neuhäusel (Sundays and public holidays)
Coordinates
Book recommendations for this region:
Equipment
All important information about equipment can be found in our packing list.
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
User Questions