Oh là là – the Saar loop

The Saar bike trail.

You can be looking forward to a very well indicated/ signposted bike trail along the beautiful Saar. Even trails and comfortable daily stages take you from Saarbrücken to the mouthing of the Saar into the Moselle. Your trip starts with French flair in Saarbrücken. The traces left by the changing affiliation of the town to either Germany or France can still be witnessed today, also in the local cuisine. For the local population serving escargots, shrimps, or paté and kir or pastis for appetizers is nothing extraordinary. Try it, you will love it. Further highlights of this trip will be the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site Völklinger Hütte, the vestiges of former fortification constructions in Saarlouis and the fantastic view offered at the Saar loop. In Mettlach, the factory outlet and discovery centre of Villeroy & Boch invite for a worthwhile break just like the Old Town of Saarburg with its impressive waterfall: In a unique natural spectacle in the middle of the town, the water clashes down from a height of 20 metres.

1. day  Saarbrücken Arriving

Make sure to arrive in Saarbrücken early to have time to visit the heart piece of the town, the famous St. Johanner market with its bars, restaurants and bistros. Parking facilities and your rental bikes will be provided by our partner hotel.

2. day  Saarbrücken - Saarlouis 28 km

In the morning you will follow the even Saar bike trail through the former coal mining area to Völklingen. Here, a stop is a must-do. The Völklinger Hütte is one of 33 UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites in Germany and in its importance equal to the Egyptian pyramids, the Chinese Wall, the cathedral of Cologne or the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Visiting the Völklinger Hütte is a real adventure. You will have the chance to walk deep into the dark corridors of the chargers’ hall as well as to climb high up to the viewing platform by the blast furnace. Afterwards, you will follow the splendidly constructed bike trail along the Saar to Saarlouis, where the ancient fortification walls protect the beautiful town.

3. day  Saarlouis - Mettlach 37 km

Use the morning to discover Saarlouis. The former fortification still determines the hexangular ground plan of the town centre. Discover the constructions by Vauban and the fortifications dating from the 19th century, constructed by the Prussians after the withdrawal of the French troops. The old walls and moats still build a harmony with the town panorama today and are occupied by the gastronomy under the name “Kasematten”. The moats filled with water have been integrated into the municipal green space. Back on your bikes the route leads through the beautiful Merzig lands with their typical apple trees to the impressive Saar loop. Here, you should exchange your bikes for walking shoes and walk up to the vantage point ‚Cloef’. After only 30 minutes you will enjoy a spectacular view over the Saar loop and the surrounding landscape! Back on your bikes, you will reach Mettlach in no time to stop at the visitor’s centre at ‚Villeroy & Boch’. 1000 years of cultural history, centuries of ceramics and pottery tradition along with futuristic concepts to the subject „Life and Living“ – all of this can be discovered in a great atmosphere.

4. day  Mettlach - Treves/ Trier 42 km

Following the Saar bike trail, you will find your way to Saarburg through wooded regions in the morning. There, the majestic castle lies enthroned over the narrow lanes of the town. The sights of this federal recreation resort do not only attract cyclists. The main highlight is the waterfall, a unique natural spectacle. In the middle of the town, the water falls down from 20 metres of height to bring the mill wheels in the valley into action. A coffee break in the picturesque Old Town supplies you with new energy for the next stage. Led by Roman vestiges, you will reach Treves via Konz. Visit the historical Old Town on your own and do not miss out on the Roman thermal baths or the Porta Nigra.

5. day  Departing from Treves

Your bike trip ends in the heart of Treves today. Anyone who wishes to travel back to Saarbrücken should book our shuttle transfer. It will transport any luggage and the bikes as well. Departure will be at 11:30a.m., arrival in Saarbrücken around 1.30p.m. If you wish to cycle even longer along the Moselle, you can prolong your trip to Koblenz.