Ant Loop around Osburg & Riveristalsperre (OS2)
- start: Hiking Parking Lot at the Osburg Sports Field
- destination: Hiking Parking Lot at the Osburg Sports Field
- medium
- 10,96 km
- 3 hours 15 minutes
- 191 m
- 495 m
- 326 m
- 80 / 100
- 40 / 100
A loop trail featuring informative signs about the Osburg Forest, its history, and its role as a habitat—including for a large population of forest ants.
The 11-kilometer, signposted loop trail leads from the hiking parking lot at the Osburg sports field down into the valley, where the Misselbach and Eschbach rivers meet and flow together as the Riveris into the reservoir. Information panels along the trail share anecdotes from the history of the forest around Osburg and provide details about its role as a habitat for the forest ant. With this background information, you might perceive some aspects of the forest differently on your next walk!
Along the Riveris Reservoir—Trier’s drinking water reservoir and a popular recreational destination for many hikers, joggers, and cyclists—information panels provided by Stadtwerke Trier also offer interesting insights into how a reservoir works.
Impressions
General information
Directions
We leave the hiking parking lot in Osburg and follow the OS2 signs. The trail is marked in both directions. If we choose the route through the Misselbach Valley, we head southeast through the Osburg Forest and reach the “Gemeindewald Osburg” information point. From here, the trail continues to the next information stop at the former nursery and on to the intersection, where we turn toward the Misselbach Valley. Heading down the valley, the trail continues to the “Millionenkehr,” where a table and benches invite us to take a break. After about 3.4 km, we reach the Misselbach Valley, and the trail now takes us along the Riveris to the dam. Along this stretch, we pass large colonies of forest ants. Many ant nests can be spotted along the trail, and an information board provides interesting insights into this topic.
We continue along the dam to the Thielenbach tributary. Here, we turn off again toward Osburg and follow the Thielenbach steadily uphill until we rejoin the access path to the hiking parking lot below the sports field in Osburg.
Safety Guidelines
As a general rule, entering the forest and walking on the trails is at your own risk.
Depending on the season and weather conditions, some sections of the trails may require extra caution to maintain a secure footing. Therefore, please wear clothing appropriate for the season and weather, as well as hiking boots with adequate traction.
Equipment
Sturdy shoes, comfortable clothing suitable for the weather, and a snack are recommended.
Tip
Relax along the Riveris and take a break with a view of the reservoir
Getting there
Coming from Trier, exit the highway at Trier-Ehrang and follow the B52/L151 toward Hermeskeil. At Neuhaus, turn toward Osburg. At the roundabout at the entrance to town, take the second exit. Follow the road to the town center, then turn onto Bergstraße and continue to the end of the street. The parking lot is signposted there.
Parking
Parking at the hiking parking lot is free.
Public transit
There are regular bus services from Trier and Hermeskeil. Please check the current schedules at www.vrt-info.de
Pavings
- Crushed Rock (37%)
- Hiking Trail (63%)
Weather
This tour is presented by: Tourist-Information Ruwer, Author: Touristinformation Ruwer