© Klaus-Peter Kappest, Wanderbüro Saar-Hunsrück

Geierlayschleife (Geierlayloop)

  • start: Besucherzentrum Geierlay, Kastellauner Straße 23, 56290 Mörsdorf (338 m)
  • destination: Besucherzentrum Geierlay, Kastellauner Straße 23, 56290 Mörsdorf
  • medium
  • 6,64 km
  • 2 hours 30 minutes
  • 252 m
  • 339 m
  • 210 m
  • 40 / 100
  • 40 / 100

The Geierlayloop is a 6.4 km long premium circular hiking trail that includes crossing Germany's most beautiful suspension rope bridge, the Geierlay.

The highlight of the tour is Germany's most beautiful suspension rope bridge, the Geierlay.

General information

Directions

We hike from the Geierlay Visitor Centre along Kastellauner street first through the small, tranquil village of Mörsdorf with its 600 inhabitants. In the village centre, we turn left into Pohlstraße and follow it to the street "Auf der Lex". Here we turn right and walk towards the valley. We change from the tarmac path to the narrow forest path at the sewage treatment plant, which leads us slightly uphill and through a small wood towards the Mörsdorfer bridgehead.

Arriving at the bridgehead, we get a first impression of the unique bridge structure. The Geierlay suspension rope bridge was opened in October 2015 after only 6 months of construction. It connected the communities of Mörsdorf and Sosberg. The bridge is 360m long and swings 100m above the Mörsdorf stream valley. Now that we have admired the structure from close up, we summon up all our courage and head for the bridge.

It is still quite wide at the head of the bridge at 1.40 m, but this changes the closer we get to the middle of the bridge, where it is only 85 cm. Accepting the bridge's slight fluctuations, we hike slightly uphill again from the middle of the bridge to the Sosberg bridgehead, where we take another look back, happy that we have made the crossing. Leaving the Geierlay behind us, we turn left and follow the forest path that winds slowly along the slope, with only a small uphill passage, then into the Mörsdorfer steam valley.

Once in the valley, we meet the Saar-Hunsrück-Climb premium long-distance hiking trail, which runs along the same path as the Geierlayloop down here in the valley. Enjoying the valley's peace and idyll, we hike along the Mörsdorfer stream, which ripples comfortably beside us. The path from the bridgehead into the valley was still a wide forest path, but down here in the stream valley, it has the character of a climb. Near the 5-way place, it is worth taking a look upwards because you will see that we are right under the bridge if you look closely. Before, we had a great view from the bridge into the stream valley, but now we can see the Geierlay visitors walking across the bridge. After a short rest, we tackle the last part of the Geierlayloop. The ascent is steep and strenuous, but when we walk out of the forest back towards the village's centre, the conclusion is that the tour was worth it.

Safety Guidelines

Crossing the bridge is at your own risk. Surefootedness and a head for heights are important.

Equipment

Suitable footwear is required. Otherwise, no special equipment is necessary.

Tip

Do not forget your camera!

Hold on to your mobile phone while crossing the Geierlay, as the gaps between the wooden planks are exactly the size of a mobile phone.

Getting there

Coming from Hahn via the B327 to Kastellaun, exit Kastellaun at the elevated roundabout, third exit L204 to Mörsdorf,

Car park P1 at the Geierlay Visitor Centre (Kastellauner Straße 23).

Destination for navigation system:

Kastellauner Straße 23, 56290 Mörsdorf

Parking

There are four car parks in Mörsdorf. All car parks are signposted and subject to charges. 
Car park P1 at the visitor centre is for short-stay parkers, as parking fees are highest there.

At the car parks P2-4, the fees are somewhat lower.

The route from the car parks to the Visitor Centre (tour start) is signposted. However, coming from P2-4, you can also join the hiking trail in the village's centre (Pohlstraße).

Public transit

www.vrminfo.de

Line 630,631 and 632 from Kastellaun - stop in Mörsdorf Geierlay Visitor Centre

Additional Information

www.geierlay.de and www.kastellaun.de

Tourist-Information Kastellaun, Marktstr. 16, 56288 Kastellaun
Phone: +49 6762 - 401698 or 401873, E-Mail: touristinfo@kastellaun.de

 

Pavings

  • Street (7%)
  • Asphalt Coating (2%)
  • Path (51%)
  • Unknown (29%)
  • Crushed Rock (1%)
  • Hiking Trail (10%)

Weather

This tour is presented by: Hunsrück-Touristik GmbH, Author: Iris Müller

Next steps
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