Saarland: Radial tour from Saarbrücken

Look forward to Saarbrücken with its Franco-German charm, the popular St. Johanner Markt district with its pubs, bistros and restaurants and historical treasures such as Saarbrücken castle and Ludwigs church. Arrival by car or train is possible. Regardless of how you arrive, the rental bike you booked will be ready for you at the hotel just waiting to show you around the beautiful Saarland.

You can start your journey of discovery comfortably because you take the train to Blieskastel (approx. 30 minutes) and into the heart of the Bliesgau biosphere reserve. You continue per bike on signposted cycle paths through the slightly hilly landscape. Enjoy lovely meadows, orchards with gnarled apple- and plum trees and wide beech forests. The small river Blies is winding its way through this unique nature and brings you to the European cultural park Bliesbruck- Reinheim. Since 1987 the remains of a villa from Roman times are being excavated here, which with its 70,000 m² is one of the largest of its kind in the Saar-Mosel region. The archeology park lies on the border between France and Germany. On the German side you can discover the remains of the Roman villa, the more than 2000-year-old grave of a princess from the Celtic era and the Schaub Museum with finds from the surrounding area. The French side presents a Gallo-Roman small town, which at that time offered space for approx. 2000 people, a thermal bath and the exhibition center. Treat yourself to a snack at the Roman tavern before you continue on the cycle paths along the Blies to stop shortly before Sarreguemines (France). Here you will meet the still small Saar, which will take you back to Saarbrücken on the beautiful Saar cycle path. If you want, you can also take the train from Sarreguemines (40 km) or take a short bike ride through the city center in Saarbrücken (61 km).

Today you can expect a completely different experience. You cycle up and down along the Bur stream and its forest pond through vast forests right into the former coal mining area of the Saar. In many small towns you can still find witnesses to this past. Look forward to the highlight of the day in Völklingen. Here a visit to the UNESCO world cultural heritage Völklinger Hütte is a must-do (included)! A visit to the Völklinger Hütte is like an adventure: you go deep into the dark corridors of the Möllerhalle and climb high up to the observation deck at the blast furnace. You can plan a lot of time for this visit, because afterwards you follow the flat Saar cycle path back to Saarbrücken (12 km) or you can take a train back from Völklingen (direct journey, 15 minutes).

A slight ascent on a beautiful forest path brings you to the German- French border. Today you cycle in France, sometimes in Germany and you will notice the differences in many little things. Make a stop at the Parc Explor Wendel. The Wendel colliery on the French side was built in 1862 and is now closed. Visit the imposing colliery individually or join a guided tour. If you choose to do so, you’ll drive more than 1200 meters down in an old mine cage like the miners used to do and discover the coal mining sites with their amazing angles of inclination. Then you continue your journey through the old miners' settlement of Petite Rosselle. A winding cycle path along the Rossel river brings you back to the Saar near Völklingen. From now on you will stay in Germany. Follow the Saar cycle path to Saarlouis and admire the historic ramparts of the former fortress town. In 1680, Saarlouis was founded by King Louis XIV and further developed by its builder Vauban as the foremost northern defensive bastion of the Kingdom of France. Today the remains are cleverly integrated into the cityscape. In the casemates you will find modern cafés and restaurants. Then enjoy another 12 km on the flat Saar cycle path before you take the train back to Saarbrücken in Beckingen (direct journey, 30 minutes).

Today you take a train to Mettlach in just 35 minutes, where the Villeroy & Boch adventure center beckons. But the impressive Saarschleife (Saar River bend) is even more attractive. The bike path runs very close to the river. Swap your bike for hiking boots and walk up to the 'Cloef' viewpoint. Only 30 minutes and the view of the Saar River bend is simply breathtaking! The treetop path, from which you can enjoy spectacular views, is also worthwhile. Then continue the Saar cycle path via Merzig to Saarfels, where the small stream Nied flows into the Saar. From here you can go on a wonderful round trip through the Nied valley. You cycle on small paths through wide orchards, sometimes very close, sometimes winding along the course of the Nied stream to the Wackenmühle, an old mill which invites you to dream in an idyllic forest location. Stop and enjoy the Wackenmühle's sun terrace and beer garden before you cycle back to the Saar cycle path on the other side of the Nied. Now it is only 3 km to the train station in Beckingen, where you can return to Saarbrücken by train.

Take the train to Homburg (25 minutes), where your Roman and nature discovery tour starts. You cycle on beautiful, well-paved bike paths along the Erbach stream to Schwarzenacker. Visit the interesting Roman Museum, an archaeological open-air museum with a beautifully landscaped baroque garden. Wander through excavated floor plans of ancient Roman buildings, streets and canals. Marvel at the rebuilt Roman buildings with wall paintings and underfloor heating, a temple replica and many replicas of columns and statues. Then you will meet “an old friend” by bike, the Blies, which you follow for 7 km before the cycle paths along the Würzbach show you the way. Take a break at the Würzbach pond, where the café and beer garden beckon. The Frohnsbachtal, Geißbachtal and Glashüttental with their ponds lead you to St. Ingbert, the fifth largest city in Saarland with around 37,000 inhabitants. Then you continue back to Saarbrücken on the best paved bike paths through the Gumbach Valley. Take a well-deserved break at the idyllic market square of St. Arnual, the oldest part of Saarbrücken. Marvel at the collegiate church of St. Arnual, a Gothic three-aisled basilica that was built around 1390, before cycling the last few kilometers along the tobacco mill and through the Franco-German Garden back to the hotel.

After breakfast, your eventful bike tour ends in the hotel. If you want, you can stay longer to discover even more of the Saarland.