This scenically beautiful route offers pure relaxation. Partly on narrow paths, the hike leads for long stretches through forest and along the four streams Salm, Gladbach, Ginchenbach (called Holischbach locally), and Schorbach. Idyllic valleys with the babbling of their streams and impressive sandstone cliffs guarantee a great nature experience.
Named after the smallest of the four gently babbling streams along the route, the Holischbach, this route promises forest experiences and pure relaxation.
Via the L43 or L50 to Dreis into Talstraße to the Dreyshalle.
By train to Wittlich main station, then continue by bus towards Wittlich ZOB,
from Wittlich ZOB by bus line 320
More information at www.vrt-info.de
Free parking spaces are available directly at the start point by the Dreyshalle.
From the Dreyshalle, the path initially leads west, passes the Schorbach, and then follows straight along Römerstraße heading north. At the end of Römerstraße, turn left onto the street "Im Gartenfeld." At the next intersection, continue straight. Along the Salm, the "Salmstraße" leads to "Brückenstraße." Turn left there and follow the L43 to the town exit. Shortly after the town sign, turn right, after 120 m keep left and hike uphill past the shooting house. At a sandstone cross from 1746, continue straight and soon reach a power line clearing, from where you have a beautiful view towards Salmtal and the Mosel hills. After 500 m you reach a junction. Here continue straight for about another 60 m.
Attention, now be sure to watch the signage.
The hiking trail now sharply turns left onto an inconspicuous forest path leading to a former sandstone quarry. The path, along which the broken stones were once transported, leads uphill through the forest along red sandstone cliffs rising several meters high. At the end of the quarry, a narrow path leads partly steeply down through beech forest to the forest path below. Upon arrival, turn right and walk south to a large hunting stand. Now turn left downhill, follow the dirt road to the L43 and cross it. At the junction on the other side of the street, continue straight and follow the forest path for about 1 km. Then a path branches off to the right and leads through the forest down into the "Dörbacher Hexengraben." According to legend, witches were once burned in Hexengraben.
At the bottom, turn right and walk along the wide forest path beside the Bennersbach (not to be confused with Bendersbach), steadily slightly ascending westward. After passing a small shelter, you soon reach the "Quelle im Hexengraben" (spring in Hexengraben). The slightly sour-tasting water of the stone-encased mineral spring invites you to refresh yourself.
After 200 m, you cross the Bennersbach on a left curve and hike downstream on the other side of the stream until shortly before the K40. Via the path branching off to the left, you return through meadows to the Bennersbach, cross it again, and follow the asphalted road left to the forest edge. At the junction with a bench and a wooden cross, turn right onto the gravel path and walk uphill in curves through orchards into the forest.
It's always worth stopping now and then to enjoy the wide views.
After the ascent, keep right and follow the path about 800 m northeast. At the next intersection, turn right onto the asphalted path. At the following fork, turn left and at the forest edge, you reach a meadow with a small Schönstatt community pilgrimage chapel.
From the eastern edge of the meadow, you have a wonderful view over Salmtal. Past the chapel, a narrow path leads downhill to the sports field of Dörbach, a district of Salmtal. Below the sports field, turn right and then veer half-left onto the street "Am Waldrand." Above a riding stable, a forest path branches off left, which you now follow steeply uphill to a fork. At this point, keep left. After another 450 m, two paths branch off to the left. According to the signage, switch to the upper of the two paths. The incline gradually lessens later. Shortly after, the path flows into a paved forest road.
Here, turn right and hike for one kilometer through a beautiful mixed forest heading southwest. At the next intersection, turn right and descend about 350 m. Keeping right, you meet the L43 again, from which the return route to Dreis follows the same way as the outward journey.
If you want to avoid the steep climb to the old quarry, continue straight about 400 m at the junction and rejoin the marked route there.
Upon reaching the street "Im Gartenfeld," the hiking trail branches off right at a green power distributor box onto a gravel path. This turns into a meadow path further along and leads the hiker through the beautiful "Salmpark" back to the parking lot. Several seating areas invite you to linger in the "Salmpark."
The route is adequately signed with the logo "Dr2" and can be walked in both directions.
On the first 400 meters of the "Brucher Piedchen" (narrow path, partly steep slope down to the Salm), special caution is required in rain, snowfall, or icy conditions.
If this section of the path is temporarily closed for safety reasons, it can be bypassed as follows: Walk along Brückenstraße towards the town and then turn left into Mühlenstraße towards Bruch. At the former mill, cross the Mühlengraben stream on the left and follow the gravel path along the Mühlengraben to a wooden bridge. Cross the Salm over the bridge and return to the marked path.
Sturdy footwear and weatherproof clothing.
More information, including hikes in the region: www.wittlicherland.de
