In Nonnweiler, you can combine hiking trails, waterside scenery and Celtic history in different ways. The range includes longer routes and nature interpretation, as well as the archaeological ring wall and a village inspired by historical models. When planning, you can weigh up whether you mainly want to spend time outdoors or set aside time for a tour and an introduction to Celtic history. The locations and activities differ in factors such as distance, duration and content.
Hiking and enjoying nature
Nonnweiler’s hiking options include four stages of the Saar-Hunsrück-Steig, which pass through Hunsrück-Hochwald National Park. There are also local Traumschleifen circular trails ranging from 6 to 20 kilometres. Educational and discovery trails offer a different focus, sharing knowledge about nature along the way. To choose, you can first compare the route type and length—from a circular hike to a stage of a long-distance trail.
Around 985 hectares of the 10,000-hectare national park lie within Nonnweiler and Nohfelden. The park provides a habitat for black storks, black woodpeckers and wildcats, as well as other rare or disturbance-sensitive species. This gives the hiking trails a natural context that can be explored in different ways, from learning about nature on the discovery trails to taking longer hikes.
The reservoir and waterside trails
The Nonnweiler Reservoir is Saarland’s largest water reservoir. It has a capacity of around 20 million cubic metres and covers an area of about one square kilometre. A 12.8-kilometre circular route around the reservoir is designated for cycling, hiking and nature-focused recreation. The surrounding landscape also offers waterside walks and the Planet Trail.
The water itself cannot be accessed because the reservoir supplies drinking water. It is therefore important to distinguish between walking by the water and accessing the water’s surface. If you are planning a visit to the reservoir, you can follow the designated circular route or consider other nature activities, such as the Planet Trail.
Stars, the ring wall and the Celtic Park
The Star Labyrinth is an accessible circular route through the village, with 16 stations about stars and constellations. The suggested route begins next to the town hall. Audio content and illuminated information displays accompany the walk. This makes it thematically different from the nature trails and longer hiking routes: astronomy is the main focus here.
The Celtic Ring Wall at the National Park Gate Celtic Park in Nonnweiler-Otzenhausen is open to visitors all year round and free of charge. Check visitor information before travelling. The Hunnenring ring wall was founded around 400 BC as a refuge for the Treveri and later developed into a fortified central settlement. The walls once stood about 20 metres high and were 25 metres thick—dimensions that set this historic site apart from an ordinary walking tour.
The Celtic Park includes a Celtic village with ten residential, craft and storage buildings based on historical findings and architectural models. The guided tours have different focuses and durations: a 90-minute tour of the exhibition and Celtic village explains Celtic life. The 2.5-hour guided tour of the ring wall combines a nature walk with information about Celtic history and the ring wall. As tour formats can change, it is advisable to check the latest information before making plans.
A separate look at Sankt Wendel
In the wider travel destination of Sankt Wendel, the Sculpture Trail stretches for 25 kilometres and features 58 large stone blocks. This cultural route invites visitors to walk or cycle along its length. It offers a distinct cultural focus in Sankt Wendel, alongside the hiking, nature and Celtic Park activities in Nonnweiler.
Discover more destinations: Nohfelden, Bosen, Oberthal, Alsweiler, Theley, Eisen, Marpingen, Sankt Wendel.
Back to the main travel overview: Sankt Wendel.
