50th parallel hike around Wittlich

Attention! Currently the bridge between the city park and the Vitelliusbad is closed. We recommend using the short footpath below the bridge up to the city park. The detour is not signposted.

The starting point for the approximately 7 km long, continuously marked circular hike is the Tourist Information at the historic market square in the heart of Wittlich. From here, it initially goes to Oberstraße. Following the markers, it goes over Feldstraße to the footpath towards Schaffbrücke. The small bridge takes hikers to the other side of the Lieser before the route continues along the right hand side of the Lieser with Bürger- and Felsenwehr to Bastenmühle. At the former mill, walk left slightly uphill on the agricultural path to the next intersection. You pass apple orchards and sheep pastures. Soon the 50th parallel is crossed for the first time before heading straight into the forest. At the fork in the forest path, the route goes left, uphill over a wide, unpaved forest track. Two paths branch left from the forest track. For the 50th parallel hike, take the second left, which leads directly to the upper vineyard path. Soon the shelter hut with a beautiful view over the town is reached. A bench invites you to take a short break after the climb before continuing along the edge of the forest over the Wittlich vineyards. After just a few meters, the 50th parallel is crossed for the second time. An information board explains the use of the latitude grid as an orientation aid. Deckchairs invite you to relax and enjoy the panoramic view of Wittlich. The paved service road goes down through the vineyards, past the former Portnersberg winery, alongside horse pastures and apple orchards to the sports centre with Vitelliusbad. Continue past the small wayside chapel and the mini golf course, over the suspension bridge into the large city park with plenty of space and opportunities for sports, relaxation and socialising. At the end of the suspension bridge, go straight ahead, down a small slope. The 50th parallel hike follows the gravel path and finally turns left, leading back to the path along the Lieser river. On the right, cross the flower-decorated bridge and return over the square on the Lieser to the starting point at the historic market square.

The 50th parallel hike around Wittlich mainly follows paved service roads. Only the short section through the forest to the upper vineyard path runs on a wide, unpaved forest track. Here we recommend using Nordic walking poles for support. The route is also suitable for families with strollers, but a terrain-capable stroller should definitely be used.

There are no refreshment facilities along the 50th parallel hike. We recommend bringing provisions in a backpack, which should definitely include a bottle of Wittlich wine.

On SWR television at "Kaffee oder Tee", a beautiful film about the 50th parallel hike was filmed on October 19, 2024.
Here is the link:

https://www.swrfernsehen.de/kaffee-oder-tee/wir-im-suedwesten/auf-dem-50-breitengrad-in-wittlich-100.html

The view over the Wittlich valley is best enjoyed in the evening hours. Resting benches and the shelter hut on the upper vineyard hill invite you to linger.

Wittlich has two motorway connections: Wittlich West A 60, Wittlich Mitte A 1 / A 48.

We recommend using the free parking lot Zentrum am Stadtpark.

Current travel times and prices can be found on the website of the Trier transport region: www.vrt-info.de. From the central bus station ZOB in Wittlich to the starting point at the historic market square, it is about a 5-minute walk.

Wittlich city map

Hiking map "Gateway to Eifel and Mosel / Wittlicher Land", No. 24 of the Eifelverein, scale 1:25,000, ISBN No. 978-3-921805-83-1, edition 2012, price €5.50

Our three Wittlich winemakers are passionate about wine. From visiting the wineries with fine wine tastings, guided vineyard hikes, to helping with the grape harvest in autumn in the Wittlich valley, you are warmly invited to experience wine in all its facets.