Around 180 metres above the Saar, Cloef lies at the apex of the Saarschleife, near Orscholz, a district of Mettlach. Different themes come together in Orscholz: views of the river loop, trails with different focuses and traces of history. The Cloef-Atrium is a useful place to start when planning activities.
Saarschleife, Cloef and Orkelsfels
Cloef is a rocky viewpoint at the apex of the Saarschleife. The Saarschleife and Cloef have been among Germany’s National Geotopes since 2006. The landscape and its geological classification are therefore equally distinctive features of the area.
Another scenic spot in Orscholz is Orkelsfels, a rugged, deeply fissured rock formation high above the town. On a clear day, it offers views across large parts of Saarland. The two places have different highlights: at Cloef, the key feature is its position at the apex of the Saarschleife; at Orkelsfels, it is the rock formation and the potential for far-reaching views across Saarland.
Getting your bearings and setting out from the Cloef-Atrium
The Cloef-Atrium is an official information point for the nature park. There, you can find information about hiking trails, places to visit and events in the Saar-HunsrĂĽck Nature Park. The Denkspur in Orscholz starts at the Cloef-Atrium, next to the entrance to the Saarschleife Treetop Walk. It is an interactive walking trail with a total of nine stations, each offering different tasks and challenges.
The Cloef-Runde also starts at the Cloef-Atrium, but it is a cycling route: its stated length is 25.25 kilometres. This makes it easy to distinguish between a walking trail with nine stations and a cycling route with a specified total length. If you choose the route, check the current distance before setting off, as route measurements may be updated.
Play and learning stations in the Abenteuerwald
The Saarschleife Abenteuerwald in Mettlach-Orscholz has 25 play and learning stations and covers more than 7,000 square metres. Its entrance is directly opposite the exit of the Saarschleife Treetop Walk, next to the shop. Entry information may change, so check it before your visit. Compared with the Denkspur, the focus here is on play and learning stations, while the Denkspur is designed as an interactive walking trail with tasks and challenges.
Höckerlinie and historical themes
The Höckerlinie in Orscholz was part of the West Wall, serving as a concrete anti-tank barrier. A particularly well-preserved section, more than one kilometre long, was uncovered and made accessible by a path. The Höckerlinienpfad Orscholz project explores the themes of war and peace, and borders and Europe in greater depth. Here, a specific historic structure sits alongside a broader thematic exploration: the Höckerlinie can be understood through its former function, while the project focuses on wider historical and European contexts.
Getting to the Cloef-Atrium
If you are travelling by car or bus, paid parking is available at the Cloef-Atrium in Orscholz in car parks P1 and P2. P2 has four charging stations for electric vehicles. If you are driving, you can budget for the parking fee; if you are travelling in an electric vehicle, you will find the charging stations mentioned at P2. The Cloef-Atrium is also the starting point for the Denkspur and the Cloef-Runde, making it a clearly identified landmark for these two different activities.
Discover more destinations: Perl, Mettlach, Beckingen, Wadern, Merzig, Weiskirchen, Losheim Am See, Nohn
For the broader travel overview: Merzig-Wadern.
