Sosberg: Geierlay, Hiking Trails and Village History
Accommodation in Sosberg
Sosberg combines a striking suspension bridge experience with hiking trails that extend beyond the bridge itself. St. Matthias Church and the village coat of arms also offer insights into the history of the village. You can choose the focus of your visit: the route to the Geierlay, other hiking trails or historical traces in Sosberg.
The Geierlay and the Route There
The Geierlay suspension rope bridge spans the Mörsdorfer Bachtal between Sosberg in the district of Cochem-Zell and Mörsdorf in the Rhein-Hunsrück district. It is 360 metres long and 100 metres high. The bridge opened on 3 October 2015; Nepalese suspension bridges served as the model for its design. The name also reflects the landscape: Geierlay derives from the historic field name “Geierslay,” with “Ley” meaning rock or cliff.
In Sosberg, designated hiker parking is available at HauptstraĂźe 28. It has sanitary facilities and charging stations for electric vehicles. A footpath of approximately 1.5 kilometres leads from there to the bridge; direct access to the Geierlay by car is not possible. Along the way is the giant bench made from Douglas fir sourced locally. From there, the view extends towards the Eifel and the bridge entrance. The bench is a place to take a break, have a picnic or take photos.
The Geierlay can be crossed in both directions. Bicycles are allowed, but must be pushed across the bridge. A narrow pushchair can be taken across the bridge; dogs must be kept on a lead. Visitor regulations may change, so check them before your trip.
Hiking Trails Around Sosberg
Several nearby hiking trails can be reached from Sosberg. These include the Masdascher Burgherrenweg, a connection to the Saar-HunsrĂĽck-Steig, the Geierlay loop and the Altlayer-Schweiz and Layensteig Strimmiger Berg premium loops. The Geierlay loop and the two premium loops are designated circular routes; the connection to the Saar-HunsrĂĽck-Steig is another hiking option. In the wider HunsrĂĽck region, the Saar-HunsrĂĽck-Steig is linked to 111 Traumschleifen for full- and half-day hikes. This makes it possible to distinguish the specific destination of the bridge from choosing a hiking route as the main focus.
Insights into History and Village Life
Sosberg was first mentioned in 1330 under the name “Soysbergh” and was a “territory under three lords” until 1781. The Catholic Church of St. Matthias was built in 1769. The village coat of arms also contains historical references: the red cross on silver recalls the Electorate of Trier, and the silver hunting horn refers to the Lordship of Beilstein. A silver halberd represents St. Matthias, the church’s patron saint. The red-and-silver chequered pattern stands for the Hintere Grafschaft Sponheim; the green central field represents the municipality’s agricultural character.
The bridge can also be explored in greater context from the Mörsdorf side. The visitor centre in Mörsdorf documents the construction and planning of the Geierlay and includes a museum café. Along the footpath from Mörsdorf to the bridge, information boards cover renewable energy and climate protection. This extends the exploration of the Geierlay from the structure itself to its planning and to topics highlighted along the way.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Altlay, Reidenhausen, Haserich, Panzweiler, Tellig, PĂĽnderich, Alf, Bullay.
Return to the main travel overview: Zell.
