Around Überherrn, hiking trails lead through the Saargau and offer views towards France and the Saar Valley. Other trails run through the Bist Valley and the Berus Forest. For choosing a specific route, the Alter Grenzweg starting in Berus and the Vaubansteig starting in Felsberg offer two different points of reference. You can take their lengths and stops into account when planning your stay around the landscape and historical themes.
Hiking Trails with Different Stops
The Alter Grenzweg route is around 7.5 kilometres long. It leads from Berus through the Saargau, passes an old limestone quarry and reaches the St. Oranna Chapel. Along the way, there are views of Berus’s historic centre. The hike therefore combines a crossing of the landscape with a clearly identified destination and views of the town. If you want your hiking day to focus on chapels, old quarries and Berus, you’ll find all these features along the same route. Check the local trail markers before setting out.
The Vaubansteig leads from Felsberg through the Saargau and the Saar Valley; the route is about 12.5 kilometres long. Its stops include Teufelsburg, an old azurite tunnel and quarries. Sandstone blocks for the construction of Saarlouis Fortress were extracted from these quarries. The extraction sites thus provide a specific link between the route’s stops and the construction history of Saarlouis.
At around five kilometres longer, the Vaubansteig is considerably longer than the Alter Grenzweg. Both routes lead through the Saargau; the Vaubansteig also runs through the Saar Valley. As well as route length, you can also take the landscapes described into account when choosing a hike.
Saarlouis as a Separate Historical Theme
The wider Saarlouis destination offers further context for the connection to fortress construction. In 1680, Louis XIV had Saarlouis built as a fortified town; part of the former fortifications has been preserved in a recreational area. Vauban Island offers views of the old Saar riverbed and the fortress complex. The City Garden and old Saar riverbed form the green gateway to Saarlouis.
The Grand Market is also part of the townscape: today, it serves as a car park and event venue. The Saarlouis weekly market takes place on Tuesdays and Fridays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the pedestrian zone in front of the Kommandantur and offers products from regional producers, among other things. Check the market hours before visiting. Guided group city tours are also available in Saarlouis; check their dates before your trip.
Other cultural points of interest include the Theater am Ring and the Ludwig Gallery Saarlouis. The theatre reopened in 2016 after extensive renovation and refurbishment work. In its new exhibition spaces, the gallery continues the exhibition programme and concept of the former museum.
Discover more destinations: Wallerfangen, Nalbach, Saarwellingen, Schwalbach, Rehlingen-Siersburg, Dillingen/Saar, Saarlouis, Wadgassen
Return to the main travel overview: Saarlouis.
