Discover Baar: hiking trails, heathland and pilgrimage sites

Baar is located in the Mayen-Koblenz district of Rhineland-Palatinate, near the Nürburgring. Two hiking trails offer different perspectives on the landscape and the local districts: the Wanderath Trail leads from the church in Baar-Wanderath towards Welschenbach; the 7 Villages Trail connects Baar’s seven districts in a circular route. When planning your trip, it is worth first choosing between the landscape-focused route and the loop through Baar.

The Wanderath Trail: Heathland, valleys and pilgrimage sites

Starting at the church in Baar-Wanderath, the Wanderath Trail leads through fields, meadows and wooded ridges towards Welschenbach. Along the way are quiet valleys with bubbling streams, as well as juniper and broom heaths. Notable landscape features include the juniper heaths of Kramershardt on the southern slope of Hohe Warte. This route brings open spaces, wooded heights and stream landscapes together.

The trail also takes in spiritual sites: it follows part of the Jodokus pilgrimage route and reaches the Schwarze Madonna meditation site beside a stream. There you will find a spring and a small bridge. A detour to the St. Jost pilgrimage chapel is possible; check the current access arrangements before your visit. If you would like a hike that combines the landscape with pilgrimage traditions, this route offers both.

The 7 Villages Trail: A loop with the option to hike in stages

The 7 Villages Trail starts and ends in Baar-Wanderath, connecting Baar’s seven districts in a circular route. The full route is approximately 13 kilometres, with a walking time of around three and a half hours as a guide. These approximate figures apply to the complete loop. You can also start at other points and divide the trail into several stages.

Signposting may be incomplete on some sections. So download the GPX track and map before setting out, so you can follow the route while hiking. Unlike the Wanderath Trail, which heads towards Welschenbach through varied landscapes and to pilgrimage sites, the 7 Villages Trail is a loop with flexible starting points and stages. This distinction can help you plan your hike around the type of route you prefer.

Culture in the wider Mayen-Koblenz destination

The wider Mayen-Koblenz destination adds history and industrial heritage to its hiking landscapes. Genoveva Castle in Mayen was built in 1280 by Heinrich von Finstingen, Archbishop of Trier, and is one of the city’s landmarks. In Bendorf, Sayn Ironworks is an anchor point on the European Route of Industrial Heritage and the only monument in Rhineland-Palatinate to receive this distinction. Following restoration, its modern exhibitions and multimedia presentations invite visitors to explore; guided tours and creative workshops are also offered.

The history of Sayn Abbey can also be traced through specific dates: it was founded around 1200, and its abbey church was consecrated in 1202. The exterior paintings dating from around 1255 are considered the best-preserved examples from the High Middle Ages in Germany. The Lava Dome in Mendig, the German Volcano Museum, explores a different subject. The wider destination therefore offers a range of cultural attractions, from medieval architectural history to industrial heritage and volcanology.

Choose a base for your trip

When choosing accommodation in Baar, your planned activities may be the deciding factor: would you mainly like to combine landscapes and pilgrimage sites on the Wanderath Trail, or does the loop through Baar’s districts, with the option of hiking it in stages, appeal more? If you are also interested in historical and technical subjects, include the wider Mayen-Koblenz destination in your travel plans.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Spay, Kobern-Gondorf, Nachtsheim, Einig, Volkesfeld, Mertloch, Lasserg, Kirchwald

Back to the main travel guide: Mayen-Koblenz.