Masdascher Burgherrenweg dream loop

A trail to enjoy solitude and silence in unspoiled nature. Along the way, you will discover secluded valleys, deep tunnels, rugged slate cliffs and ancient walls from the Celtic, Roman and knightly eras. Wonderful distant views and fantastic panoramic views on the heights, stories of mills in the valleys and an extraordinary castle ruin with defiant walls.

L 203, K 69 or K 64 to 56869 Mastershausen

Navigation: Johann-Steffen-Straße, 56869 Mastershausen

From the center of Mastershausen, distinctive orange and white access signs point the way through the village and to the start of the Traumschleife not far from the barbecue hut. Here we change from the access path to the dream loop, leaving the barbecue hut and the Hallgarten leisure facility on the right. After a gentle ascent with wonderful views, the path leads into the forest for the first time. We take a deep breath of the spicy air of the conifers and reach the first of 8 information boards at the edge of a windthrow (1).

With a clear view of the deep valley of the Mastershausen stream, the route bends downhill and passes a sensory bench halfway up. In the valley, we cross two murmuring streams via a footbridge and arrive at "Am Katzenloch", where there is a cozy rest area and an old tunnel mouth bears witness to slate mining. After the next bend, however, the water comes into focus. The path changes to the west bank and leads to long-decayed relics of ancient mills. First we pass the Buch mill (information board 2), before the ruins of the Mohre mill (information board 3) remind us of the once busy millers in the quiet valley.

After crossing the stream again, we follow an enjoyable hiking passage through almost untouched nature, in which rugged slate cliffs and the quietly trickling stream compete for the hiker's attention under the shady canopy of forest leaves. But all of a sudden, this competition is forgotten as the defiant walls of Balduinseck Castle suddenly rise up!

The recently restored 14th century castle was once the bulwark of the Archbishop of Trier against the Sponheimers who lived in Kastellaun. The short detour to the castle does not require much imagination to bring the Middle Ages to life. Back on the Traumschleife, the trail briefly goes underground as it crosses under the L 203 together with the stream. On the other side, a riverside forest enchants us before a footbridge helps us cross the stream. The following ascent through the rough rocks requires good surefootedness, but the next rest area rewards you for your efforts. Past Kaspers Mühle (information board 4), the path swings uphill, offering great views over the valleys and heading purposefully towards the next cultural highlight: the Burgberg (information board 5)!

This striking rocky outcrop was already used by the Celts. We can relax and enjoy the unique atmosphere at an original refuge. And again we hike downhill. Passing the "Roman Fountain" (information board 6), we reach the valley floor in serpentines, where more rock holes bear witness to mining. At the Herzenauer Hannes rest area (information board 7), the ascent to the Apollo mine (information board 8) begins, where ores rather than slate were mined. The following zig-zag path is strenuous, but finally we have conquered the Hunsrück plateau and the fantastic panoramic view of the Galgenberg from the tower compensates us for all our efforts. Just a few steps later, it gets spooky, but no one has been hanging from the "Eich" (information board 9) for a long time.

The path descends in a relaxed manner and reaches the barbecue hut at the leisure facility. From here, we return to Mastershausen via the access path.

Some of the dream loops have steep, difficult and slippery passages in rainy or winter weather. For this reason, surefootedness and a good level of fitness are essential for hiking these premium circular hiking trails.

Sturdy shoes are required, a walking stick is helpful.

Balduinseck ruins: The castle ruins were built by Archbishop Balduin of Luxembourg of Trier between 1325 and 1330. It was a massive and imposing building for its time. The square, four-storey building measures an impressive 22.70 m x 14.50 m. A spiral staircase, luxurious for the time, leads through all four floors in the north-eastern corner of the building, all of which were equipped with large fireplaces. A well with a shaft diameter of 1.50 m was built into the first floor, which proves that the building was equipped for prolonged defense. Balduinseck was leased out in 1675 and was reported as neglected as early as 1711. The ruins fell into disrepair in 1780. In 2007, preparations began to secure the castle ruins, with the state and municipality working hard to preserve them. Today it has been restored as far as is possible in accordance with monument protection regulations.

Tourist Information Kastellaun, Marktstraße 16, 56288 Kastellaun
Tel. +49 6762 401873, www.kastellaun.de

Hunsrück-Nahe Tourismus GmbH, Bahnhofstr. 37, 55606 Kirn

Phone +49 6752 137610 www.hunsruecknahe.de

Mastershausen, bus stop town center