RuT6 near Sommerau - History of use in the Ruwer Valley

From the starting point, we walk towards Sommerau and along the waterfall. When Sommerau Castle was built in the 13th century, the Ruwer was diverted and this natural monument was created. Over time, the force of the Ruwer has reduced the height of the waterfall, but it is still a beautiful natural spectacle. Along the vineyards we continue up the steep slopes of the Ruwer valley and enjoy the beautiful view of the village of Sommerau. We continue across green fields. Levelled areas on the slopes, where the soil is thicker than on the hillsides, are suitable for agricultural use. The plots are mostly small and the fences create a network of herbaceous fringes in which many plant and animal species find a habitat.

A look at the Neuhof shows us that shallow and sufficiently large spring depressions were already preferred places for our ancestors to establish settlements. Obtaining drinking water for people and livestock was easy and the gently sloping terrain was suitable for farming. We reach the Ruwer valley again and pass the former shoe factory site of Gusterath-Tal. Here, the Reh inn offers a place to stop for refreshments. We then turn right onto the K64. Here the narrow bed of the Ruwer is too narrow and marshy to be used for agriculture. This has allowed the belly riparian forest to grow unhindered for a long time. The brook lamprey has its habitat in the quiet bays where sand and mud are deposited. The Mühlgraben (millrace) runs parallel to the road here and its water has been powering the mill in Sommerau for a long time. Back in Sommerau, we find another place to stop at Gut Sommerau, located directly on the Ruwer-Hochwald cycle path.

As a matter of principle, entering the forest and walking on the hiking trails is at your own risk. Depending on the season or weather, increased surefootedness is required on individual trail sections. Therefore, please wear clothing appropriate to the season and the weather and hiking boots with an appropriate tread.

Sturdy shoes, comfortable and weather appropriate clothing is recommended.

A detour to Sommerau Castle, which stands on an elevation in the middle of the valley! It was involved in the history of the Ruwer in many ways.

From the A1: Exit Reinsfeld B52 in the direction of Trier, after approx. 11 km turn off in the direction of Waldrach, continue in the direction of Korlingen, before Korlingen turn left in the direction of Gutweiler and Sommerau. Car park before the village on the left-hand side.

From Trier: Direction Korlingen to Gutweiler , in Gutweiler left direction Sommerau, car park in front of the village on the left side.

Free parking directly at the entrance to the village on the left-hand side.

With lines 30 or 31 from Trier, for more info see www.vrt-info.de

The theme trail is funded within the framework of the Ruwer Water Project through the federal watercourse riparian strip programme with the participation of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. The aim is to preserve and develop the Ruwer and its tributaries with the floodplains over a stretch of around 186 km as a near-natural watercourse and floodplain landscape in the Saar-Hunsrück Nature Park.

A total of 6 themed hiking trails (Rut1-Rut6) are part of this project and bring the hiker very close to the Ruwer and its use in a very vivid and informative way.