Theme Route RuT5 Sternfeld in the Osburger Hochwald - To the nursery of dragonflies
- start: Farschweiler, hiking car park at Sternfeld GPS: N 49° 42.707' E 6° 49.263'
- destination: Farschweiler, hiking car park at Sternfeld GPS: N 49° 42.707' E 6° 49.263'
- medium
- 9,53 km
- 3 hours 5 minutes
- 202 m
- 586 m
- 393 m
- 80 / 100
- 40 / 100
This theme route in the Osburger Hochwald carries the addition "To the nursery of dragonflies" and deals with the Misselbach and Eschbach valleys as habitats for numerous smaller animals.
Eschbach and Misselbach accompany this 9.5 km circular hike. These typical, year-round flowing mountain streams provide habitat for numerous small animals. On the fast-flowing Misselbach, one can observe a rare species of dragonfly, the scarce blue-tailed damselfly, from about June to August. It requires oxygen-rich, clean streams that also have calm bays with sand and fine gravel – and exactly this can be found in the idyllic Misselbach valley. In the past, the meadows in the remote valley were farmed because there was a farmstead. Today, they are only mowed about every two years, thus creating habitat for beautiful orchids.
Up the Eschbach, the Pionierweiher is almost permanently a magnet for wildlife: in spring, grass frogs, mountain newts, and smooth newts gather here; in summer, dragonflies hunt for prey. Until autumn, water striders and whirligig beetles dart over the water surface in search of food.
General information
Directions
From the starting point, we hike into the tranquil Misselbach valley. Along the stream, from June to August, we can admire the rare dragonfly species, the scarce blue-tailed damselfly. At the confluence with the Riveris, we leave the Misselbach and hike left along the Eschbach upward. After about 3 km, we reach a first information board dealing with spring streams and their importance as habitats for animals. With its coarse substrate and strong current, the Eschbach is a typical mountain stream. The water is habitat for numerous smaller animals adapted to the strong current.
After 5.8 km, we reach the Pionierweiher and find numerous information about the water project on an information board here. We reach the highest point of the circular path after just under 7 km and continue hiking through the Osburger Hochwald to the hiking car park at the Sternfeld forester's lodge.
Since the path mostly runs on paved or gravel roads, it is considered family-friendly. Taking a stroller is possible.
Safety Guidelines
Basically, entering the forest and walking the hiking trails is at your own risk.
Due to seasonal and weather conditions, increased sure-footedness is required on certain sections of the paths. Therefore, wear clothing and hiking shoes with appropriate tread adapted to the season and weather.
Equipment
Sturdy footwear is recommended.
Tip
We take a break at the Pionierweiher and enjoy the wonderful peace in the middle of the Saar-Hunsrück Nature Park. Timber was once floated here.
Getting there
From the A1: exit Reinsfeld onto the country road towards Trier, at the Farschweiler junction turn left onto the hiking car park.
From Trier: via B52 towards Osburg until the Farschweiler junction, then turn right onto the hiking car park.
Parking
Hiking car park at the Sternfeld forester's lodge, Farschweiler
Additional Information
The theme route is funded as part of the Ruwer water project through the federal water-edge strip program with participation from the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. The goal is to preserve and develop the Ruwer and its tributaries along the approximately 186 km of water stretch as a near-natural water and floodplain landscape in the Saar-Hunsrück Nature Park.
In total, 6 themed hiking routes (Rut1-Rut6) belong to this project, bringing the Ruwer and its use very vividly and informatively close to the hiker.
Weather
This tour is presented by: Mosel. Faszination Urlaub, Author: Touristinformation Ruwer