The circular route runs through hilly terrain in the Meulenwald with several quite challenging ascents. The route is 19.0 km long and is classified as medium-hard to difficult. With breaks, one should plan 6-7 hours, whereby the route length can be very well halved at the junction near Föhren Castle.
Opposite the tithe barn at Föhren Castle stands the column canopy made of red sandstone with Jesus on the cross. The monument is also called the "Dicker Herrgott" (Fat Lord) and one wonders why nothing appears fat here. The name refers to another cross, the remains of which are still visible in the parish church. A poem tells the story of a hunter who, hearing a wolf without cartridges, begged the Lord not to be killed by the wolf and promised to place a cross on the Burgberg and always pray there. Well, a hunter is not a stonemason, and thus a rather bulky cross resulted, the Fat Lord.
The Meulenwald circular route is particularly suitable as a forest and shade-rich alternative to the Mosel hiking trails in the Roman Wine Road collective municipality on hot summer days. At the end of the round trip, after about 19 km, feet will love a cool bath. The Heilbrunnen Schweich, simultaneously the start and end point of the route, is not only a constructed complex composed of source, wayside chapel, stations path, and wayside cross in a garden setting, but also offers a refreshing water treading pool.
The route is marked with “R 1”.
The hiking route through the forest from 2012 connects very beautiful sections of the Meulenwald with stunning views over the Mosel Valley and the Vordereifel.
DB route Trier-Koblenz up to Schweich station.
From Schweich station, follow Moselsteig signage towards Trier until the Heilbrunnen Schweich hiking car park (approx. 0.8 km).
Sturdy footwear & good fitness are required.
Info:
Tourist Information Roman Wine Road
Tel. 0049 (0)6502/ 9338-12
e-mail: info@roemische-weinstrasse.de
Internet: www.roemische-weinstrasse.de
