Saarschleife (Saar loop) nature highlight – 9 tips to make your weekend trip unforgettable

📝 About the Author: Matthias

Matthias is the founder of travel-du.de and a native German, who travels a lot through his own country. He shares the best Germany tipps with you here. Explore all the picturesque landscapes, idyllic towns and hidden treasures that Germany has to offer. All texts, pictures and videos are authentic and based on personal experience and thorough research.

In contrast to many other river loops in the region, what I find particularly cool about the Saar Loop is that there are no cars driving along it. So you can hike or cycle here in the peace and quiet of nature. This is because a large part of the Saarschleife lies in a nature reserve. In general, the whole region seemed a bit sleepy to me, which I think has its own special charm.

Especially in the early morning or on slightly rainier days, when there are few people around, the mist hangs in the treetops of the forests and slowly drifts through the river valley like a veil, this is the best time to soak up the special, almost mystical atmosphere.

All tips can also be found here on the map:

1.Saarschleife hike: Circumnavigate the Saarschleife by bike or on foot

One of the most beautiful routes here – and in my opinion the absolute must-do on the Saar Loop – is the largely flat path along both banks of the river between Mettlach and Merzig. The Saar cycle path runs along the outer bank and then a normal hiking trail on the inside, which you can also cycle along without any problems.

You don’t have to drive or walk all the way to Merzig. There is a bridge over the Saar near Besseringen. At Mettlach, you can cross the Saar either over the wall of the lock or over the bridge in Mettlach, which is just a few meters further into the town.

To take a shortcut, you can also take the Welles ferry across the Saar for €1.5 per person (€0.5 per bike). That alone might be an experience. At the ferry house, you can also make yourself comfortable in the restaurant with coffee and cake or a warm meal. The well-known hiking route of the Saarschleifen Tafeltour also takes you along here.

2. Visit Montclair Castle

Montclair Castle sits enthroned in the middle of the Saar Loop, somewhat hidden in the green forests. The Celts were here as early as 500 BC and left their mark. You can read all about it in the castle’s small museum.

For €2 you get admission to the castle and the museum. The entrance fee also gives you access to the top towers of the castle, from where you can enjoy a panoramic view. There is also a bistro and toilets inside the castle.

Here is more information about the castle.

3. Climb the Saarschleife treetop walk

The tree top walk near Orscholz is probably the main attraction in the area. You pay an entrance fee of €11 to walk through the treetops of the forest along a wooden walkway. At the end is a viewing tower from which you get the best view of the Saar Loop.

Along the trail you will also find many information boards and climbing facilities, which are particularly exciting for children. If you are traveling with children, you will probably have a hard time convincing them not to go to the Abenteuerwald Saarschleife playground adjacent to the treetop walk.

At the entrance to the treetop walk, you can then store for souvenirs in the atrium or visit an exhibition and treat yourself to a tarte flambée in the adjoining restaurant, for example.

4. Climb the path to the Saarschleife viewpoint “Cloef”

You don’t necessarily have to climb the observation tower to enjoy a beautiful view of the Saar Loop. A few storeys lower, but still 180 meters above the Saar, there is also a free viewing point at the top of the rock.

You can walk down (or up) a hiking trail from here to the Saar. However, the path is only suitable for experienced hikers and not for bicycles and takes around 30-40 minutes.

5. Explore the Saar by canoe or stand-up paddle

You can hire rowing boats, canoes and SUPs in Dreisbach directly on the Saarschleife. The rental belongs to the Bootshaus and is not directly marked on Google Maps, but it is right on the way and you can’t really miss it.

However, there are other providers who are not based directly on site but offer Saarschleifen tours, e.g. Kanu Saarfari.

The flow speed along the Saarschleife is quite low. You should only watch out for the few boats that pass by from time to time.

6. Take a boat trip on the Saar

If you are less active, then a boat tour along the Saar loop is a good option for you. The boats leave from Mettlach and you’ll also get some interesting information on the tours. What is also great and certainly not everyone has experienced: To get from Mettlach to the Saar Loop, the boats have to pass through the lock in Mettlach.

There are several providers for the Saarschleifen boat tour:

• Maria Croon
• Saar Personenschifffahrt

7. Buy porcelain at the Villeroy & Boch factory outlet

Fans of porcelain may not be completely unfamiliar with the town of Mettlach. This is because the world-famous ceramics manufacturer Villeroy & Boch has its headquarters here. There is a large outlet store right in the center of Mettlach where you can buy all kinds of porcelain from the famous traditional brand.

There is also a Villeroy & Boch experience center, right next to the 1000-year-old tower on the factory premises. Here you can marvel at various works in an exhibition and learn about the history of the company, which was founded in 1748.

Combine this with a stroll through the pedestrian zone of Mettlach, where there are plenty of restaurants and cafés.

8. Drink wine from the region

Saarland wines are grown on the Mosel River and not the Saar, but that shouldn’t stop you from trying them while you’re here.

In the Cloef-Atrium in Orscholz, you can try and buy wines from the region, France and Luxembourg in the vinotheque as well as fine spirits. Saarland wine is also on the menu in many restaurants.

9. Visit the Klause national monument near Kasteel-Stadt

Not directly at the Saarschleife, but only 20 minutes away by car, you can visit the Klause near Kasteel-Stadt

A hermitage is a kind of secluded dwelling for a hermit. And this one was built in the 13th century on a rocky outcrop high above the Saar. You have a really great view over the vast landscape from here.

Note that the hermitage costs €3.50 to enter and is only open from 10 am to 4 pm (until 5 pm in July and August). It is even completely closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Last admission is 1 hour before closing time. If you arrive late, you will most likely find yourself standing in front of a locked entrance door.

Accommodation and hotels at the Saarschleife

There are not many accommodation options on the loop itself. One fairly new option is the Saarschleifenlodge. It is particularly special because of its location directly on the Saar. You can sleep here in double rooms, but also in modern tree houses with the whole family. Some rooms also offer a direct view of the Saar. There is also a restaurant and breakfast is available.

Also popular is the Landhotel Saarschleife in the spa town of Orscholz, where the treetop path is located and from where you can also start many hikes down to the Saarschleife. The hotel has a wellness area with pool and sauna.

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Have you ever been to the Saarschleife yourself? What did you particularly like about it? I look forward to your comment :)