Discover Sulzbach/Saar

Sulzbach/Saar combines a long mining history with hiking trails, an unusual coal seam and a varied cultural programme. Families planning a visit can choose from themed trails, nature experiences and events.

Mining as a long chapter in the town’s history

Mining shaped Sulzbach’s history for more than 400 years. The Sulzbach stream itself was also part of the town’s history for a long time: for more than two centuries, the stream was used to produce salt. The written record of the existing village begins in 1346. These different historical perspectives stand side by side: the long-standing importance of mining, the use of water for salt production and the beginning of written records.

Hiking trails with different themes

The Karl May Trail connects the Ruhbachtal and Brennender Berg hiking areas. It can be explored as two loops dedicated to Karl May’s life and work. In 2023, the trail was named Germany’s most beautiful hiking trail. This gives you a clear theme to focus on when choosing an outing: the literary world of Karl May.

The Industrial Heritage Adventure Trail offers a different focus. It passes through the Goetheschlucht gorge and follows historic miners’ paths. Along the way are former hard coal mining sites, old workers’ houses and a traditional miners’ festival ground. When choosing a route, you can therefore decide whether you are more interested in Karl May’s life and work or in the built and historical traces of mining.

Nature and mining at Brennender Berg

Brennender Berg is a smouldering coal seam that has been burning since the 17th century. Sulphurous-smelling fumes continue to rise from the rock; visible emissions vary depending on conditions. This phenomenon brings nature and industrial history together in a striking way. Sulzbach is also connected to the Saarkohlenwald forest. The Ruhbachtal and Brennender Berg recreation areas offer opportunities for walks and longer hikes, so you can plan your time outdoors in different ways.

Route lengths also make it easier to compare: the Sulzbach-Friedrichsthal Loop is listed as 13.7 kilometres; the Dudweiler Loop is 8 kilometres long and runs mostly along narrow paths. This gives you a choice of different distances and a specific route profile to help you decide.

Culture and practical information

The AULA adds culture to the trails and landscape, hosting cultural events, concerts, theatre performances and exhibitions. The programme may change, so check the dates for your travel period. There are 60 parking spaces at the AULA; it is close to the railway station, motorway and airport. If you are planning your visit around an event, you can take the parking and location details into account when arranging your journey.

Choose accommodation to suit your travel interests

For an active stay, the hiking trails offer different themes, while the routes’ listed distances make it easy to compare them directly. If you would like to include culture in your plans, you can take the AULA and its programme into account. This lets you focus your accommodation search on the experiences you actually plan to enjoy, rather than searching based only on a general idea of a holiday. If you are travelling with several generations or people with different interests, you can consider the trails and cultural programme described here as separate parts of your stay, then decide which plans matter to your group.

Discover more destinations: Saarbrücken, Kleinblittersdorf, Püttlingen, Völklingen

Return to the regional travel overview: Saarbrücken Regional Association.