Orscholz: The Saarschleife, Rocks and Adventure Trails

Orscholz appeals to travelers with a wide range of interests: views of the Saarschleife, striking rocks, interactive trails and traces of European history. Depending on what you want to experience, the focus may be on scenery and views, playful exploration, cycling or the history of the West Wall.

The Saarschleife and Rocky Vistas

At the bend of the Saarschleife near Orscholz, a district of Mettlach, lies the Cloef, a rocky viewpoint around 180 meters above the Saar. The Saarschleife and the Cloef have been listed as National Geotopes since 2006. This means the landscape is not only eye-catching but is also recognized as a geological natural heritage site.

Another distinctive rocky spot is the Orkelsfels in Orscholz: the rugged, deeply fissured formation lies high above the town and offers a unique view across much of the Saarland in clear weather. The two viewpoints each have a different emphasis: the Cloef is associated with the course of the Saar and the Saarschleife, while the Orkelsfels stands out for its panorama across the Saarland.

Trails and Playful Exploration

The Saarschleife Adventure Forest in Mettlach-Orscholz covers more than 7,000 square meters and has 25 play and learning stations. The entrance is directly opposite the exit of the Saarschleife treetop walk, next to the shop. As the entrance layout may change, check the latest directions before your visit.

The Denkspur in Orscholz is an interactive walking trail with nine stations and a range of tasks and challenges. It starts at the Cloef-Atrium, next to the entrance to the treetop walk. If you would rather plan a bike ride, the Cloef-Runde is a 25.25-kilometer route that also starts at the Cloef-Atrium. Both options therefore share the same starting point but offer different activities.

Traces of the West Wall

The Höckerlinie in Orscholz was part of the West Wall, serving as a concrete anti-tank obstacle. A section more than one kilometer long and particularly well preserved was uncovered and made accessible by a trail. The Höckerlinienpfad Orscholz project explores the themes of “war and peace” and “borders and Europe” in greater depth. So this is not only about the physical remains, but also about broader historical and social contexts.

Getting Around and Choosing Where to Stay

The Cloef-Atrium is an official nature park information center, offering information about hiking trails, places to visit and events in Saar-Hunsrück Nature Park. Paid parking is available there in lots P1 and P2 for visitors arriving by car or bus. P2 also has four charging stations for electric vehicles.

When looking for accommodation in Orscholz, it helps to decide first: do you want your trip to focus on views and scenery, activities at the stations, cycling or the history of the West Wall? This will help you tailor your search to the experience you actually have in mind.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Mettlach, Nohn, Beckingen, Losheim Am See, Wadern, Merzig, Perl, Weiskirchen.

Back to the main travel overview: Merzig-Wadern.