Ockfen: Vineyards, Trails and Panoramic Views
Accommodation in Ockfen
Ockfen combines a distinctive wine-growing landscape with viewpoints and a long history of viticulture. The Saar-Riesling Trail starts its 8.7-kilometre short tour at the Angelweiher in Ockfen and leads to Bocksteinfels, Heppenstein viewpoint, Bismarckturm and Geisberg plateau. Those looking to combine exercise with scenery and regional wine culture will find various options here.
A wine-growing landscape with changing views
The Saar-Riesling Trail connects sunny vineyards, deciduous and coniferous forests, and idyllic stream valleys. From the Geisberg high plateau, panoramic views stretch across the Saargau towards Luxembourg and Trier. From Bocksteinfels, you can see Ockfen, Irsch and the vineyards, as well as the Saar Valley towards Saarburg. The viewpoints offer different perspectives: from the rocks, the villages, vines and Saar Valley are in view, while the high plateau opens up views across the Saargau.
Ockfener Bockstein is Ockfen’s most important vineyard site and also its local landmark mountain. The 53-hectare vineyard lies directly above Ockfen, next to the Ockfener Bach. Devonian slate contributes to the conditions in the vineyard and to the wines’ mineral character. Ockfener Bockstein is also classified as a VDP Erste Lage. Viticulture and the geological subsoil are therefore as much a part of the landscape as the vines themselves.
Viticulture and traces of history
According to reports, Ockfen’s vineyards have been cultivated for around 2,000 years. A bronze-age socketed axe found in a vineyard is cited as evidence. A document from 975 also points to the town’s history: at the time, Ockfen was listed among the properties of the newly re-established St. Martin Monastery in Trier. The monastery’s former administrative building remains as evidence of this historical connection.
The two references to different periods tell different stories: the Bronze Age find is associated with the long history of viticulture; the year 975 points to Ockfen’s connection with the monastery at that time. Walking through the village and its wine-growing landscape, you encounter both the history of viticulture and a historically documented relationship.
Hiking trails and route options
Two different route lengths are useful for planning: 8.7 kilometres is the length of the Saar-Riesling Trail’s short tour. From the car park at the Angelweiher, you can reach Bocksteinfels via approximately 1.5 kilometres of this trail. This makes it possible to distinguish a direct route to the viewpoint from the full tour, without confusing the two distances.
Another option is a circular hike that starts and ends at the Weinhotel KlostermĂĽhle in Ockfen. It passes the Ockfen wine-growing estate, Schoden Bismarckturm and the Saar riverside trail. St. Valentin Church in Ockfen is also included as a stop on the local circular route. This gives you a choice of different destinations: the viewpoints along the Saar-Riesling Trail or a circular hike with stops in Ockfen and by the Saar.
Getting to Ockfen and finding accommodation
Schoden-Ockfen railway station is on the Saarbrücken–Trier DB line. Ockfen is also associated with wine tastings and wine trails; these may influence your plans if you would like to make viticulture a greater focus of your trip.
The described circular hike starts and ends at the Weinhotel KlostermĂĽhle. The hotel has step-free access and an accessible toilet; confirm these details before your trip. The restaurant serves trout from the Leukbachtal and Saar wines. Food and drink offerings may change, so we recommend checking the latest information before your visit.
Discover more destinations: Wehr, Irsch, Temmels, Schoden, Pölich, Kordel, Kenn and Kelsen.
For the overarching travel overview: Trier-Saarburg.
