The German-French Hammelsberg nature reserve is the highlight of this entertaining hike above the Saarland wine-growing community of Perl. On the sun-drenched limestone soils on the south slope, seventeen different wild orchid species thrive in the more than 30 ha large nature park. Fantastic panoramic views towards Luxembourg, France, and the Moselle valley complete this impressive hike in the border area between Germany and France.
Behind Oberperl, the primeval forest seems to begin. Climbing plants, ivy, and vines hang from the trees, the path winds along the slope, revealing unexpected views into the thicket at every bend.
Follow dreamlike views into the Moselle valley far into the Lorraine basin.
To the left, the Lorraine community of Sierck-les-Bains. The former castle from the 11th century was converted by Vauban into a fortress. On the opposite side of the Moselle, the border between France and Luxembourg runs on the Stromberg. Directly on the Moselle bank is Schengen, the community in Luxembourg where European history was made.
On the Moselle slopes in France, Luxembourg, and Germany, vine stocks grow. Only on a few kilometers on the right Moselle bank is wine grown in Saarland, and only Perl can call itself a "wine-growing community."
On the sun-drenched limestone soils on the south slope of Hammelsberg, seventeen different wild orchid species and about a dozen fragrant orchids thrive in the more than 30 ha large nature park. The biotope of maple-ash forest combined with extensive areas of calcareous semi-dry grassland has become home to many warmth-loving animal and plant species. If you are lucky, you can observe a praying mantis on warm and dry spring days.
The path was rated by the German Hiking Institute with 84 experience points.
Author’s recommendation
Complete your hike with a visit to a wine cellar in Perl.
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Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Rest stops
Hotel Hammes***SCentral-Hotel Greiveldinger
Safety information
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Attention:
Entering the forest and walking the hiking trails is fundamentally at your own risk!
Seasonal and weather-related conditions require increased surefootedness on some trail sections. Therefore, wear clothing and hiking shoes appropriate for the season and weather with adequate tread.
Be cautious of breaking branches and damaged trees. In strong wind as well as in winter due to snow and ice, the danger from falling trees and falling crown parts increases.
Tips and suggestions
Places to eat
Central-Hotel Greiveldinger GmbH
Bergstraße 1
66702 Perl
Tel.: +49 (0)6867 / 271
Gasthof Ernst Hammes
Hubertus-von-Nell-Str. 15
66706 Perl
Tel.: +49 (0)6867 / 910 3-0
Hotel Restaurant Alte Maimühle
Bahnhofstraße 100
66706 Perl
Tel.: +49 (0)6867 /9113170
Weingut Herber
Apacher Str. 15
66706 Perl
Tel.: +49 (0)6867 / 854
Website of the community Perl - www.perl-mosel.de
Tourism Center Saarland
Tel.: 0681 - 9 27 20 - 0
Roadbook
Shortly afterward, we follow a narrow path to the left. This first leads us between houses, then through meadows and shrubs above Oberperl. A bench with a beautiful view of the village invites you to take a short break.
The path ends at a wide paved road. We follow it downhill and then turn left. Those seeking refreshment continue about 50 m straight ahead to the Naubour Kneipp facility. Otherwise, continue hiking to the forest edge. There our route turns right onto a forest path. After about 20 m, it finally goes left on a steep forest trail uphill. The path is partially covered with vines and leads up to the Hammelsberg shelter. At this beautiful spot, we should treat ourselves to a break and above all enjoy the magnificent panoramic view of the French and German-Luxembourg Moselle valley.
Behind the shelter, a narrow path branches off to the right, initially running on the ridge – and thus on the German-French border – of the hill ridge. Here, wonderful views open up towards the Three-Country Corner. The path now leads downhill again to a trail junction with three information boards. There, you turn onto the left-running path. The hike now leads us through the German-French Hammelsberg nature reserve. It goes right through semi-dry grassland areas where from mid-May to mid-June a variety of partly rare orchid species bloom. For orchid lovers, a detour to the nearby abandoned dolomite quarry, which can be reached by a path diverging left from the hiking trail, is a must. Our route then describes a left curve at three more information boards and leads uphill via stairs. At the top, a bench invites you to rest. Now we are back on the German-French state border. At the bench, we continue left. The path gradually becomes a bit wider again.
At a tree group, we reach another fork and walk right into the forest and then turn right onto a forest road. A forest educational trail now accompanies us to the TV transmitter. There we reach an asphalt road and follow it downhill on the left. 200 m further, you turn right at a bench and shortly after reach an asphalt road. It goes briefly right before we leave the road to the left. The path first ascends steeply and then, becoming flatter, leads to a paved farm road. We follow this road out of the forest and go left along a forest edge to a rest area. Further along the field edge, you reach a wider forest path and a bit downhill, again a path leading back to the starting point.
Hotel Hammes***S
Hotel Hammes***S
Residence Hotel
Central-Hotel Greiveldinger
Hotel Perler Hof
Baroque Garden Perl
Winery Ökonomierat Herber
Schutzhütte Hammelsberg
Rastplatz Am Hammelsberg
Parkplatz Dreiländereck
Wein Erlebnis Hotel Maimühle - Genuss Gastwirt Silber 2020/21
Perl
Wine experience Hotel Maimühle
Aussicht Dreiländereck
Schengen Museum
Tourist Info Schengen
Naturschutzgebiet Hammelsberg
Aussichtspunkt Dreiländereck
Rastplatz Dreiländer-Eck
Baumelstation 3 Panoramaweg Perl
Baumelstation 2 Panoramaweg Perl
Baumelstation 1 Panoramaweg Perl
Hotel Struppshof
Aussichtspunkt Sehndorf
Haus & Hof
Champagne house Gerd Petgen
Reisemobilplatz Perlbad
Wanderparkplatz "Rabüschheck"
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
By bus 260 from Merzig station to Rabüscheck stop, Oberperl, about 55 meters on foot.
Or to Sehndorf village center, about 250 m on foot.
Get Timetable to destination
Directions
A8 to the Perl-Borg exit, then continue on B407 to Perl
Parking
Hiking car park "Rabüscheck" near Perl
Coordinates
Book recommendations for this region:
Recommended maps for this region:
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

User Questions