Forest Thistle Trail in Farschweiler

start: Parking lot at the barbecue hut, B 52 turnoff at Farschweiler (512 m), 49.711491, 6.824829
destination: Parking lot at the barbecue hut, B 52 turnoff at Farschweiler (512 m), 49.711491, 6.824829

easy
3,47 km
2 hours
92 m
593 m
502 m
80 / 100
20 / 100

Here, visitors can admire a large, contiguous stand of wood thistles. At the various stations, visitors are introduced to a wide range of topics related to forests and nature conservation.

The holly (Ilex aquifolium) has one of its largest contiguous populations in Rhineland-Palatinate in Farschweiler. Along Rascheider Weg, there is a total area of 2.5 hectares covered with holly.

In 2009, a 3.4-kilometer-long nature trail was established to highlight the holly as well as the forest, nature, and their conservation, with significant support from the Saar-Hunsrück Nature Park and the state. In 2021, on the initiative and under the leadership of the Farschweiler Local History and Tourism Association (Heimat- und Verkehrsverein Farschweiler e.V.), in collaboration with the Ruwer Municipal Association’s Tourist Information Office and with financial support from the state of Rhineland-Palatinate and the Saar-Hunsrück Nature Park, the redesign of the Forest Thistle Trail was completed.

The nature trail is very popular with children and is frequently visited by school and kindergarten groups. At the individual stations, visitors can explore a wide variety of topics, some of which are interactive. For example, visitors can learn about wood as a raw material and energy source, test in a jumping pit whether they can leap as far as a hare or a lynx, or count the rings on a tree trunk to determine its age. At a former charcoal kiln site, you can still find remnants of the charcoal that was once processed here, hidden beneath the leaves. Forest detectives can go on a hunt for various objects, and information boards about the wildcat and the wolf provide interesting facts about these forest dwellers.

A new addition is the digital scavenger hunt offered along the trail. You can easily answer the tricky questions if you explore the stations along the way with a keen eye. You’ll find the QR code with the link to the digital scavenger hunt right on site. For more information, visit the Ruwer Tourist Information website at https://www.ruwer-hochwald.de/aktiverlebnisse/wandern/themenwege-lehrpfade/walddistelpfad/

Impressions

Autumn Atmosphere on the Walddistelpfad Trail

Back to the star field near Farschweiler

General information

Directions

From the parking lot, we follow the forest trail for about 200 meters to the entrance to the Walddistelpfad. The nature trail is signposted throughout with a symbol in the shape of a thistle leaf and is marked for one-way travel. Right from the first few meters, we learn about different tree species and discover a lot about the importance of the forest for people and animals. Passing by the jumping pit (it’s truly impressive how far a deer can jump!), we head to the “Wood as an Energy Source” station. A short while later, we reach the area with the forest thistles and can marvel at their dense growth. Further up the trail, there’s information about the age of a tree, and we reach the charcoal kiln site, where we can take a break. Once at the top, we reach the former Roman road, and the trail leads us past additional stations back to our starting point.

Safety Guidelines

Especially in the fall, be aware that fallen leaves on the ground can hide uneven surfaces, roots, rocks, or holes in the path. Even after storms have passed, trees may still fall or branches may still drop. Especially in adverse weather conditions, natural trails can become muddy and slippery in some sections. You should expect trail conditions like these when you go hiking.

Equipment

Sturdy footwear is recommended.

Tip

Admire their size amid the wood thistles, which can grow up to ten meters tall under favorable growing conditions. "

Getting there

Directions from Koblenz: Take the A1, exit at Trier-Ruwer toward Hermeskeil, then take the B52/L151. Exit at Farschweiler; the parking lot is immediately on the right

A1, take the Reinsfeld exit, head toward Trier on the L151, take the Farschweiler exit; the parking lot is immediately on the right

Parking

Free parking in the parking lot in front of the Sternfeld barbecue hut

Public transit

Line R 200 between Trier and Hermeskeil / Türkismühle

Maps

Hiking Map of the Hochwald Recreation Area