Der Bergener

We start at the hiking parking lot at the Girtenmühle campsite. There you can already see a wooden gate marking the start of the route. We first follow an asphalt path past the riding stable. After about 100 m, we turn right onto a forest path. Soon we cross the Panzbach and come to a wide forest road. (Now Der Bergener follows the Saar-Hunsrück-Steig for 5 km.) After 5 km we turn right onto a narrow forest path that leads us along an idyllic Panzbach. After a short climb out of the valley, we cross a forest road and go straight ahead onto a path through a spruce plantation. We reach another forest road, continue right, and after a few meters turn left onto a path leading to a beautiful pond with a small rest area. We then jump across the Rotenbach and reach a wide path which we follow left, slightly uphill.
After about 150 m, we follow a path branching left. We cross the stream via stepping stones and follow a parallel path along the stream for the next 800 m. Then we cross the stream again and reach a wide forest road, which we follow to the left. After about 200 m, the path forks. We go briefly and steeply right and follow a path branching right on the ridge. We reach a small rock formation with a seating area for rest. From there, we hike for about 1.2 km through diverse forests until we reach open landscape with a beautiful view.
Behind a raised hunting platform, we go right past the forest edge. After 200 m, we turn left into a plot with sparse trees. After a few meters, we reach a magnificent viewpoint with two sensory benches. Shortly before the road, we go a bit left, cross the road, and follow a field road towards the forest. At the edge of the forest, after a few meters, turn left. We pass through two former quarries. At the edge of the second quarry, we find an idyllic rest area. We follow a path for about 400 m until, after a short descent, we cross a small bridge over a stream. We go left and after a few meters right to a viewpoint with a sensory bench. After 50 m the path forks. We follow a narrow path to the right that leads after 100 m into a wide path. We go right and after 80 m left on a slightly downhill path through a stream valley. (Here Der Bergener runs parallel to the Stausee-Tafeltour).
After about 800 m, we follow a path branching right through the densely overgrown stream meadow. After 100 m, we reach an intersection and turn left continuing towards the stream. After another 200 m, in a clearing on the left, we see a channeled spring of the Losheim Waterworks. About 200 m after reaching open fields, the path forks. The Stausee-Tafeltour goes left towards the reservoir. We go slightly uphill towards the right. At the next fork, we keep left and walk along the forest edge with a beautiful view into the Losheimer Bach valley. After about 150 m, we turn right again into the forest through a rustic stream valley. Attention: After about 400 m, we leave the wide forest path onto a narrow path through a spruce stand. We cross a stream. For the next 300 m, we walk between forest and a pasture with changing views. At a fork on the ridge, we go left through a bright oak forest. After 150 m, we reach an asphalt path.
We follow this to the right and after about 80 m turn left on a path curving left first through a hedge, then along a biotope. After 200 m the path bends right. We follow it through a meadow with old fruit trees and reach another beautiful viewpoint with two sensory benches. We come to an asphalt path, turn left past a small chapel, and after 100 m sharply left again through a meadow planted with fruit trees. We join a path, go right, and after a left turn reach Bergen. We go a few meters right and reach the main street. We turn left and are after 50 m at the village square. We cross the main street and walk straight past the Gasthaus Weins into the street "In den Gärten." After about 80 m, we follow an asphalt path to the right. At a hedge, we go left through a meadow. We join another meadow path which we follow right. Behind a property with beehives, we turn left on a narrow path. We cross a stream and immediately follow a path left parallel to the stream. After another stream crossing, we are already at the Girtenmühle campsite. We walk straight past tall hedges and reach the restaurant with beer garden after 100 m.