Blankenrath can be explored on two levels: in the village centre, with the Church of the Assumption of Mary and historic village houses, and along trails ranging from walks usually 4 to 7 kilometres long to the approximately 20-kilometre parish circular route. When choosing a focus for your stay, you can take local history or your preferred walking distance as your guide.
Walks on a variety of routes
The parish walking trail opened in 2010. The approximately 20-kilometre circular route leads from the parish church in Blankenrath to chapels in neighbouring villages. It connects the village with Reidenhausen, Haserich, Panzweiler, Walhausen, Schauren and Hesweiler. There are also twelve shorter sections, ranging from 2 to 20 kilometres in length. The figure of around 20 kilometres refers to the circular route as a whole, while the 2-to-20-kilometre range refers to the sections.
For a shorter outing, easy routes described as such start in Blankenrath and head towards the Hanosiusmühle Chapel or the Flaumbachtal pond; they are usually 4 to 7 kilometres long. These walks lead to named destinations, while the parish trail sections are parts of a route connecting several villages. Comparing the route lengths helps you distinguish the shorter paths from the longer circular route.
A variety of tours are also possible on forest and meadow trails in and around Blankenrath, ranging from leisurely outings to more physically demanding routes. Two stages of the Saar-Hunsrück-Steig run directly alongside Blankenrath. So, in addition to the parish walking trail, there are other named walking options to consider, without confusing them with its circular route.
Church, village centre and Lourdes grotto
The Church of the Assumption of Mary reflects several construction phases. Its Romanesque tower is considered the oldest surviving witness to Blankenrath’s history. It stands 33 metres tall and is topped with an octagonal pyramidal roof and a gilded weather vane. The nave was built in 1761/1762. During a renovation in 1975, the altar area was redesigned around the motif of a tree of life. The tower, nave and altar area thus represent different periods in the church’s construction history.
The village centre also offers its own glimpse into local history: it is home to half-timbered houses and villas dating from the 18th to the early 20th century. Together with the information about the Church of the Assumption of Mary, this lets you explore both the church’s architecture and the buildings in the village centre.
The Lourdes grotto was built in 1974 and serves as a place of prayer visited by people from the surrounding area. The path to the grotto includes 14 Stations of the Cross, with bronze plaques mounted on basalt columns. The place of prayer and the Stations of the Cross together contribute to the religious character of the village; their history, however, differs markedly from the church’s construction phases.
A break by the Flaumbachtal pond
The Flaumbachtal pond lies on the eastern edge of the village, fitting into the surrounding landscape. Benches provide places to rest and watch ducks and fish. Alongside the walking trails and historic buildings, it offers a place to take a break amid Blankenrath’s scenery.
The differences between the options can help you decide what to explore: the parish walking trail connects several villages and offers both a circular route and sections of varying lengths; the shorter paths head towards a chapel or pond. The church, village houses and Lourdes grotto offer different points of interest. This lets you explore Blankenrath according to the things that interest you during your stay.
Discover more destinations: Tellig, Sosberg, Alf, Briedel, Pünderich, Haserich, Peterswald-Löffelscheid, Neef.
For the broader travel overview: Zell.
