Franzosensteig - a historic hiking and climbing trail from the banks of the Moselle to the Hunsrückhöhe
- start: Traben-Trarbach bridge gate
- destination: Traben-Trarbach bridge gate
- medium
- 1,90 km
- 1 hour 15 minutes
- 156 m
- 260 m
- 104 m
- 80 / 100
- 60 / 100
A small but fine circular route that is really something! The ascent is rewarded with breathtaking views of the magnificent Moselle landscape!
The hike starts at the bridge gate and follows the historic fire trail through the vineyards to the war memorial. From there the so-called lower French staircase with its 100 steps leads steeply up to the Grevenburg. The newly developed spiral staircase in the so-called "Hollow Barrel" allows you to exit to the viewing platform and continue your ascent via the upper French Staircase to the Gate to Heaven. Here you can enjoy a magnificent view over the Grevenburg, Traben-Trarbach and the Moselle loop to Mont-Royal.
Impressions
General information
Directions
We start the hike at the historic landmark of the town of Traben-Trarbach, the bridge gate. From there we follow the traffic-calmed area of the bridge road to the Indian restaurant "Namaste Shiva" on the left side. There we reach the Brandweg on the left hand side between the houses via stairs. We follow the fire way, an escape route during flood times, until we reach the sign "Aufgang Grevenburg/Kriegerdenkmal". Now we follow a path along vineyard walls until we reach the stairs leading up through the vineyards. At the top we keep left and reach the war memorial. From here we continue on the 100 steps of the lower French staircase, always following the signs for Grevenburg. When you arrive at Grevenburg we cross the outer area of the castle towards the car park. From there you can see the steel constructions of the spiral staircase and the viewing platform right in the mountain. Through the "hollow barrel" you reach the viewing platform and there is already a great view of the surroundings. Continuing along the path, you climb the upper French staircase up to the Gate to Heaven - the climb is rewarded with a magnificent view! If you wish, you can also continue the hike here via Moselsteig stage 13 towards Starkenburg/Enkirch/Burg/Reil (see Moselsteig stage 13). The descent then follows the serpentine path from the Grevenburg car park down into the valley. At the bottom, the starting point of our hike, the bridge gate, is on the left-hand side.
Safety Guidelines
The following applies to the area of the spiral staircase, viewing platform and climb via the upper French staircase to the Gates of Heaven:
- only for experienced hikers
- A head for heights required
- Surefootedness required
Equipment
sturdy shoes, binoculars and camera recommended
Tip
Plan a little more time and strengthen yourself in the castle tavern of the Grevenburg!
Getting there
by car to Enkircher Straße in the Trarbach district
Parking
Parking Enkircher Straße. The starting point (bridge gate) can be reached from there via the bridge entrance.
Public transit
Train: with the Moselle wine train every hour, stop Traben-Trarbach (www.moselwein-bahn.de)
Bus: with line 360 and line 720, stop Enkircher Straße
Additional Information
Tourist-Information Traben-Trarbach
Am Bahnhof 5
56841 Traben-Trarbach
+49 - (0) 6541 /8398 0
www.traben-trarbach.de
Pavings
- Street (5%)
- Asphalt Coating (8%)
- Path (87%)
Weather
This tour is presented by: Moselregion Traben-Trarbach Kröv, Author: Kirsten Haag