Attention! Currently the bridge between the city park and the Vitelliusbad is closed. We recommend using the short footpath below the bridge up to the city park. The detour is not signposted.
The "50th parallel hike" around Wittlich initially leads along the Lieser river into the remarkable vineyards of the Säubrenner town. The first documented mention of viticulture in the Wittlich valley dates back to 1065. However, tool finds from Roman times suggest that wine was cultivated here much earlier. Wittlich wine is an extraordinary specialty among the well-known Mosel wines, documented by numerous historical records: in 1857, the Berlin court marshal office ordered a barrel of Pichter wine; in Trier in 1922 a barrel of the 1921 Wittlicher Portnersberg Auslese was auctioned for 189,000 DM, while standard wines generally reached prices below 100,000 DM. Even Federal President Walter Scheel served Wittlich wine to his guests at a large New Year's reception, and during the visit of King Juan Carlos of Spain in Germany, he was also served the delicious wine juice from the Säubrenner town.
The starting point for the approximately 7 km long, continuously marked circular hike is the Tourist Information at the historic market square in the heart of Wittlich. From here, it initially goes to Oberstraße. Following the markers, it goes over Feldstraße to the footpath towards Schaffbrücke. The small bridge takes hikers to the other side of the Lieser before the route continues along the right hand side of the Lieser with Bürger- and Felsenwehr to Bastenmühle. At the former mill, walk left slightly uphill on the agricultural path to the next intersection. You pass apple orchards and sheep pastures. Soon the 50th parallel is crossed for the first time before heading straight into the forest. At the fork in the forest path, the route goes left, uphill over a wide, unpaved forest track. Two paths branch left from the forest track. For the 50th parallel hike, take the second left, which leads directly to the upper vineyard path. Soon the shelter hut with a beautiful view over the town is reached. A bench invites you to take a short break after the climb before continuing along the edge of the forest over the Wittlich vineyards. After just a few meters, the 50th parallel is crossed for the second time. An information board explains the use of the latitude grid as an orientation aid. Deckchairs invite you to relax and enjoy the panoramic view of Wittlich. The paved service road goes down through the vineyards, past the former Portnersberg winery, alongside horse pastures and apple orchards to the sports centre with Vitelliusbad. Continue past the small wayside chapel and the mini golf course, over the suspension bridge into the large city park with plenty of space and opportunities for sports, relaxation and socialising. At the end of the suspension bridge, go straight ahead, down a small slope. The 50th parallel hike follows the gravel path and finally turns left, leading back to the path along the Lieser river. On the right, cross the flower-decorated bridge and return over the square on the Lieser to the starting point at the historic market square.
On SWR television at "Kaffee oder Tee", a beautiful film about the 50th parallel hike was filmed on October 19, 2024.
Here is the link:
The view over the Wittlich valley is best enjoyed in the evening hours. Resting benches and the shelter hut on the upper vineyard hill invite you to linger.
