Holzbach: Brooklandscape on the Edge of the Soonwald

Holzbach combines a rural landscape of slopes and hollows with its location on the edge of the Soonwald. Walks, longer hikes and cycling routes to neighboring villages give the place an active character. At the same time, the Höhenhof, the church dating from 1759 and a distinctive local culinary specialty shape the impressions associated with Holzbach.

The brook, the edge of the Soonwald and local trails

Holzbach lies in a rural landscape of slopes and hollows, beside the brook of the same name. Near Ohlweiler, the Holzbach flows into the Simmerbach. Its location on the edge of the Soonwald adds a connection to the forest area, while the brook gives the surrounding landscape its own distinctive line.

Holzbach and its surroundings offer opportunities for walks and longer hikes. Well-maintained cycle paths lead to neighboring villages. This means there are different ways to explore the area: on foot, you can choose a walk or a longer hike; by bike, trails lead beyond the village to nearby villages. Which option suits your stay depends on whether you prefer hiking or cycling.

Höhenhof: views, activities and accommodation

The Höhenhof is located above Holzbach, at the edge of the forest. From there, the views stretch far into the distance. Activities include carriage rides and riding holidays. Another activity is farmer's golf: the 10-hole course lies among fruit trees, meadows and hedges, and natural obstacles are part of the game. Alongside horse-related activities, you can also choose a course-based activity set in the landscape.

The Höhenhof's accommodation options include a caravan pitch, a hay hotel and holiday apartments. These offer different ways to tailor your accommodation choice to your travel plans. If you are considering one of them, check current availability before your trip.

Church, history and Beereflaare

The Evangelical Church, dating from 1759, is considered the architectural focal point of Holzbach. Finds from the area also connect the village with the Neolithic and Roman periods. Beereflaare adds a culinary specialty to the picture: this yeast cake is topped with dried pears. Architecture, early archaeological finds and a distinctive baked good give the village description a range of cultural accents.

The wider Rhein-Hunsrück region

Holzbach is part of the broader Rhein-Hunsrück destination. The Rhein-Hunsrück district includes large parts of the Hunsrück, which belongs to the Rhenish Slate Mountains, as well as the left-bank part of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley. The district also includes parts of the Hunsrück plateau and the quartzite ridges to its south, such as the Soonwald. In the Middle Rhine Valley, the Rhine forms the district's eastern boundary.

The Rhein-Hunsrück district has numerous hiking trails, including the certified premium hiking trail Soonwaldsteig. The Saar-Hunsrück-Steig crosses the Hunsrück via Kastellaun to the Rhine at Boppard. At 410 kilometers and 27 stages, it offers a larger-scale route than the trails described for walks and hikes around Holzbach. Cycling options in the district also extend beyond the village: extensive, well-maintained and signposted cycle paths run along the Rhine and through the Hunsrück.

Another destination in the Rhein-Hunsrück district is the Geierlay suspension bridge between Mörsdorf and Sosberg. It is 360 meters long and 100 meters high. Several circular trails ranging from 3 to 14 kilometers run around the bridge; they start and end at the visitor center in Mörsdorf. The Geierlay Dream Loop is 6.6 kilometers long and rated moderate. The different lengths make it easier to choose a route to suit your preferred distance. Check current trail conditions before setting out on a specific hike.

Culture and history also broaden the picture of the Rhein-Hunsrück destination: the House of Regional History in Kastellaun presents the region's development from the Middle Ages through the Cold War in thematic exhibitions, text panels and original documents. Parts of the Hunsrück-Mittelrhein collective municipality and the town of Boppard are part of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized in 2002. Boppard is home to the Electoral Castle, a medieval fortification right on the banks of the Rhine. Nature and culture thus sit side by side across the wider destination, while Holzbach retains its own character, shaped by its brook, the edge of the Soonwald and the Höhenhof.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Ober Kostenz, Woppenroth, Sohren, Mannebach, Erbach, Hahn, Alterkülz, Pfalzfeld.

Back to the main travel overview: Rhein-Hunsrück.