Überherrn: Hiking in the Saargau

Around Überherrn, hiking trails wind through the Saargau, offering views towards France and the Saar Valley. There are more hikes in the Bisttal and Beruser Wald. The Alter Grenzweg from Berus and the Vaubansteig from Felsberg differ both in length and in their historical stops.

Hikes with different destinations

The “Alter Grenzweg” route from Berus is 7.5 km long. It leads through the Saargau, past an old limestone quarry and on to the St. Oranna Chapel, with views along the way of Berus’s historic town centre. Check the local trail markings before setting out.

At around 12.5 km, the Vaubansteig from Felsberg is longer. It leads through the Saargau and the Saar Valley, passing the Teufelsburg, an old azurite tunnel, and quarries from which sandstone blocks were extracted to build Saarlouis Fortress.

Culture and history in the wider Saarlouis travel destination

The wider Saarlouis travel destination offers a distinct focus on fortress history and urban cultural attractions. Saarlouis was built as a fortress town by Louis XIV in 1680. Part of the former fortifications has been preserved in a local recreation area; Vauban Island offers views of the old Saar river channel and the fortress complex. The Great Market Square in Saarlouis is now used as a car park and event venue.

The Saarlouis weekly market is held on Tuesdays and Fridays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the pedestrian zone in front of the Commandant’s Office and offers products from local producers, among other things. Check the market hours before your trip if you plan to visit.

The Theater am Ring reopened in 2016 following extensive renovation and refurbishment work. Saarlouis also offers open city tours; check their dates before your trip. The Ludwig Gallery Saarlouis continues the exhibition activities and concept of the former museum in new exhibition spaces.

Further perspectives can be found at the Wallerfangen Historical Museum and the Bettinger Mill in Schmelz. The Historical Museum has a permanent exhibition on the history of the municipality, from settlement in the Stone Age to the present day, and is housed in the listed Adolphshöhe complex. The Bettinger Mill includes an exhibition on the history of the Mennonites in the Schmelz area.

The Emilianusstollen in St. Barbara, a district of Wallerfangen, was created by the Romans in the first centuries AD. The copper mine at the tunnel has remained almost unchanged to this day. Wallerfangen Blue, extracted from the rock, was traded as far as Italy. A section of the mine tunnel around 20 metres long is accessible and features a unique inscription.

The Saarpolygon in Ensdorf is an accessible, 30-metre-high steel structure on the high plateau of the Ensdorf spoil heap.

Discover more destinations: Schwalbach, Saarlouis, Dillingen/Saar, Wadgassen, Wallerfangen, Schmelz, Nalbach, Rehlingen-Siersburg.

Back to the wider travel overview: Saarlouis.