Hunsrück cycle path

1st stage: Saarburg - Kell am See
After a short warm-up along the Saar and a slight climb through the vineyards, the steeper ascent on an asphalt road through the quiet nature begins from the small village of Irsch. At the chapel "Speiner Bildchen" most of the altitude meters are achieved, and from the Kalfertshaus at the highest point the cycle path goes down into the idyllic Ruwer valley. From Zerf, the route runs parallel with the Ruwer-Hochwald cycle path on a section of the developed, former railway track of the Hochwaldbahn to Kell am See.

2nd stage: Kell am See - Morbach
Between Kell am See and Hermeskeil, the former Hochwaldbahn has further ceded its track to the cycle paths. Then the long ascent towards Erbeskopf, the highest peak of Rhineland-Palatinate at 816 m, begins. On this section, the cycle path also leads through the Hunsrück-Hochwald National Park. This last, steep stretch counts as the "highlight" of the cycling route! In a long and winding descent on well-developed forest roads, it finally leads down to Morbach, a center of traditional wood industry and modern energy business.

3rd stage: Morbach - Simmern
Past the Baldenau water castle ruins, the Hunsrück cycle path skirts the Idar forest and runs between Büchenbeuren and Sohren at Hahn airport on its own paths. Through Kirchberg, the oldest town in the Hunsrück, the cycle path follows the same route as the Ausonius Way, the Roman road from Bingen to Trier.

4th stage: Simmern - Bacharach
From Simmern, the Hunsrück cycle path offers wonderful views over the region. Through Argenthal and Ellern, the route stays away from the highways and reaches Rheinböllen, the start of the Guldenbach valley, from where there is a final effort climbing clearly up the heights of the Bingerwald forest above the Rhine. The cycling route then races downhill through some sharp corners, crosses Niederheimbach, and vineyards greet on both sides - as already at the beginning at the Saar - and accompany the route to the Rhine. After a few kilometers on the parallel-running Rhine cycle path, Bacharach is reached as the finish.

Observe traffic rules, pay attention to other road users, and ride at an appropriate speed, especially on descents. Show consideration for other cyclists and pedestrians.

• Helmet
• Mobile phone with full battery
• Cash, ID
• Navigation device, maps
• Air pump / compressed air cartridge
• Spare tube
• Sufficient drinks
• Energy bars / gels
• Wind / rain jacket

Be sure to plan a detour to the highest elevation in Rhineland-Palatinate, the 816-meter-high Erbeskopf with its wind chime sculpture.

Via the B 51 or B 419 from Trier or Saarbrücken.

Parking is located in Brückenstraße opposite the post office. Multi-day tickets can be purchased here.

Saarburg station is on the Trier-Saarbrücken line. Bacharach and Niederheimbach are on the Middle Rhine line. Return by German Rail (Deutsche Bahn) is possible.

www.bike-region-hunsrueck-nahe.de

www.ebbes-von-hei.de

www.soonahe.de