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A very varied circular route in terms of landscape and culture with several opportunities to stop for refreshments. Great panoramic views and refreshing forests offer an exciting hiking experience. The gem Gräfinthal, the lookout tower on the Heidenkopf, and the cultural landscape center Haus Lochfeld – experiences and endless views are guaranteed here!
A very varied and scenic circular hiking route on a plateau of the Bliesgau. Hikers can enjoy great views as far as the Vosges from the Heidenkopf tower. The cultural landscape center Haus Lochfeld allows visitors to see a garden with plants typical of the Bliesgau. A bench or a wall invites you to pause. Above Wittersheim and Bebelsheim, there is a wonderful view of the typical scattered orchards of the Bliesgau. At Brudermannsfeld, a board presents stories about this cultural-historical point before the path returns through the forest past the old vineyard walls back to Gräfinthal.
Author’s recommendation
The nature stage of the Bliesmengen-Bolchen cultural association, idyllically located close to the path, attracts 15,000 visitors every year during the performance season from June to August. The program features one popular children's play and usually a humorous adult play. Additionally, there are guest performances by a friendly theater group. In the arena-shaped, elevated audience area, 1,500 seats offer a perfect view of the stage. Performances and prices in each season's program can be found on the nature stage's website.
Read the boards placed on site about what makes the region so special and feel free to take a seat on benches or in the local gastronomy. Take the opportunity to climb the Heidenkopf tower. From here you will have an incredible view and the perfect backdrop for unforgettable holiday photos!
Places to eat:
Restaurant Lavelle
Gräfinthal 3, 66399 Mandelbachtal
Phone: 0 68 04 / 99 40 14 4
https://restaurant-lavelle.de/
Gräfinthaler Hof
Gräfinthal 6, 66399 Mandelbachtal
Phone: 0 68 04 / 9 11 00
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Rest stops
Gräfinthaler HofSafety information
Attention:
Basically, entering the forest and walking on the hiking trails is at your own risk.
Depending on the season and weather, increased surefootedness is required on some sections of the trails.
Please wear clothing suitable for the season and weather as well as hiking boots with appropriate soles.
TOGETHER WITH RESPECT
Friendliness, understanding, and consideration for each other are fundamental principles for the cooperative use of our natural area. The code is:
Use existing paths, follow signage, and respect trail closures
Do not leave traces such as litter or dog waste and treat the paths carefully
Respect other users of forest and fields
Be considerate of animals and plants
Plan ahead and make use of daylight
DISCLAIMER:
Despite repeated checks and careful preparation of the trail descriptions, the publisher assumes no liability for the accuracy and completeness of the information in this description.
USAGE NOTE:
Dear hikers, the hiking trails also lead along natural paths through untouched nature reserves and forests. Preserving and protecting nature is an important concern for 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 outcrops for safety reasons. Furthermore, natural forest hazards may be present. Due to weather, some places on the path may be soft and slippery and must therefore be walked on with particular caution. Sturdy footwear is therefore recommended on all routes, surefootedness is essential.
The use of hiking and premium trails is at your own risk.
MARKING AND SIGNAGE:
All quality paths are circular trails that can be walked in both directions. Therefore, signs are posted in both directions. Try walking the round 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 start of the route is the car park in Gräfinthal. At the beginning, it’s worth first taking a look at the village including the monastery ruin and pigeon houses. According to tradition, Countess Elisabeth of Blieskastel founded the Wilhelmiten monastery near Bliesmengen in 1243. Throughout its history, the monastery was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt. Gräfinthal was the last Wilhelmiten monastery on German soil and was dissolved in 1785 at the initiative of Countess Marianne von der Leyen of Blieskastel by Pope Clement XIV. Since 1999, the monastery has been resettled and renovated by the Benedictine order.
The monastery path continues through a beautiful tree avenue towards Bliesmengen-Bolchen. At Sonnenhof, the hiking path climbs the hill, continues through the Schorrenwald, and crosses L 238 (caution, car traffic). The path passes the wooden lookout tower on Heidenkopf – it was built in 1973 by the THW St. Ingbert. The total height is 12 meters, with the viewing platform at 9.50 meters, at 398.5 meters above sea level. On clear days, you can enjoy a great panoramic view as far as the Vosges and the Palatinate Forest.
Further through the forest, the path leads to the cultural landscape center Haus Lochfeld. It offers visitors various opportunities to better understand relationships in nature, environment, and landscape of the Bliesgau. The center features the following model installations: ecological vineyard, scattered orchards, herb, farmer’s, rose, berry gardens, and a beehive. The cultural landscape center hosts changing exhibitions. The outdoor area can be visited anytime. The beautiful terrace with large lime trees invites you to rest.
The route continues through Buchholzwald, past "Brudermannsfeld" back to the pilgrimage site Gräfinthal. Those who want can then stop in the village and relax to conclude the day.
Lavelle Restaurant
Gräfinthal Abbey
Stellplätze & Camping Gut Neuhof
Lochfeld House Cultural Landscape Centre
Heidenkopf Tower
Gräfinthaler Hof
Public transport
The monastery path can also be reached by public transport. The bus stop "Wingert, Bliesmengen-Bolchen" is only about 600 meters from the route and is served daily at least hourly by lines 501, R14, and 507. This provides regular connections to Homburg, Blieskastel, Gersheim, and Kleinblittersdorf.
To get from the bus stop to the trailhead, walk from the main street along a small footpath into "Wingertstraße," follow it a few meters east until you meet "Eschringer Straße." Following this northwards leads you to the "Sonnenhof" and you will find the waymarking here.
Detailed information about timetables and departure times at: www.saarfahrplan.de
Parking
Hiking car park Gräfinthal, 66399 Mandelbachtal
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