Förster-Claus-Weg

start: at the junction leading to the Osann-Monzel shooting house, the sports field or the former Osann Jewish cemetery.
destination: at the junction leading to the Osann-Monzel shooting house, the sports field or the former Osann Jewish cemetery.

easy
6,72 km
1 hour 55 minutes
136 m
327 m
191 m
40 / 100
20 / 100

The trail, which is about 7 kilometres long, passes one of the oldest oak trees in the region. You can also see St Paul's Church near Lieser, Landshut Castle near Bernkastel-Kues, the town of Wittlich and the peaks of the Hunsrück.

The "Claus" oak is a testimony to the earlier use of the forest for grazing, which was practised until the beginning of the 19th century. Single standing oaks with their expansive treetops provided shelter from rain and heat for the cattle grazing in the forest. They also contributed to the fattening of the pigs with their acorns. In former times, however, there was also a forest-field economy. Cereals were cultivated. Both uses were very intensive and led to more than 30 percent of the forest areas in this area becoming desolate during this time. In the middle of the 19th century, the wasteland was reforested with oaks. The forester "Claus" at the time rendered outstanding services to this reforestation.

The exact age of the "Claus" oak can only be estimated. It is about 350 years old and the circumference of the trunk near the ground is almost 5.50 metres, the diameter about 1.60 metres. The amount of wood is estimated at about 25 cubic metres.

Impressions

General information

Directions

The "Förster-Claus-Weg" starts at the junction of the L53 and L47 west of Osann, at a junction in the meadow, parallel to the L53 state road. At first, the path follows a long straight stretch along vineyards, fields and meadows. After about 1.2 kilometres, the trail enters the forest, always steadily uphill. After about 2 kilometres, at a junction, the path continues to climb up the "Stöppelberg" and its foothills. At a forest junction, the trail continues straight ahead for a while before a footpath leads us to "Förster-Claus-Eiche". Afterwards, we continue along a forest path that is hardly used or travelled. We finally reach the edge of the forest above a vineyard and enjoy the view. Far away, with good visibility, you can make out St. Paul's Church near Lieser, Landshut Castle near Bernkastel-Kues and the ridges of the Hunsrück. There is a short stretch on asphalt, then we turn into a forest path again and then into a path that leads down to the headwaters of a small stream. Continuing downhill, we meet the asphalt path again at a fenced fish pond. After a short ascent, there is another new view! You can now see as far as the town of Wittlich and the "Wittlicher Senke". On the tarred road we then reach a refuge that invites us to take a rest. About 250 metres further on, we leave the asphalt road and reach a farm track at the edge of the forest above vineyards. We then walk along the side of the mountain back to the starting point.

Safety Guidelines

No special safety instructions

Equipment

Sturdy shoes are recommended.

Tip

a refuge towards the end of the hike invites you to take a rest

Getting there

1. West of Osann via the "Trierer Straße": turn right directly after the overpass over the L53 and then park your car on the side of the farm tracks there;

2. coming from Klausen on the L47, turn left shortly before the junction with the L47 in the direction of Bernkastel-Kues or the L53 in the direction of Witlich. Turn left again directly before the overpass over the L53 and then park on the side of the farm track there.

Parking

Parking is available on the side of the farm road.

Public transit

www.vrt-info.de, www.bahn.de

Bernkastel-Kues: Taxi Edringer: (0049) 6531 - 8149, Taxi Priwitzer: (0049) 6531 - 96970, Taxi Reitz: (0049) 6531 - 6455

Literature

WanderGuide - the hiking guide in the holiday region of Bernkastel-Kues. With description and map.

Maps

WanderGuide - the hiking guide in the holiday region of Bernkastel-Kues. With description and map.

Additional Information

Ferienland Bernkastel-Kues

Gestade 6