Traumpfad Wanderather

start: 56729 Baar-Wanderath Church former restaurant Waldesruh (Birkenweg 1)
destination: 56729 Baar-Wanderath Church former restaurant Waldesruh (Birkenweg 1)

medium
12,01 km
4 hours
304 m
539 m
362 m
100 / 100
40 / 100

The Wanderather is pure enjoyment of nature! The trail – a day trip with an impressing altitude gain of 304 m– goes through wide open meadows with spectacular views, tranquil valleys with bubbling brooks and even juniper and gorse heaths. Part of the trail follows the St. Josse pilgrimage route, and can be combined with a detour to the artistically decorated pilgrimage chapel of St. Jost.

Highlights at Traumpfad

Panoramic paths Wanderath-Welschenbach
Hohe Warte - Wanderath and Welschenbach - Acht
Achterbach valley with the Black Madonna and St. Josse springs
Pilgrimage chapel St. Jost
Kramershardt juniper heath on the south slope of the Hohe Warte

Impressions

General information

Directions

This Traumpfad leads from the church in Baar-Wanderath through fields, meadows and forested hill tops with a beautiful panoramic view towards Welschenbach. An easy ascent follows through the forest and then it is open field, meadows and great natural paths again. Gently downwards through the heath landscape and along forest and field paths into the Achterbach valley. The trail runs along the lively rippling brook to the place of worship or meditation, “Schwarze Madonna” (Black Madonna), with a spring and a small bridge. Together with the St. Josse pilgrimage route the trail follows the Achterbach brook (detour to the pilgrimage chapel of St. Jost, which is well worth seeing, is also possible).

Back to the fork the trail continues upards in the Nitzbach valley, along lovely slate cliffs. At Welschenbach it goes into forest that gets more and more dense and past an old quarry. After crossing the brook and the climb, at the edge of the forest there is a marvellous view of Virne Castle. The path continues uphill through meadows, then on to the juniper heath at Hohe Warte. The Wanderather trail goes around the Hohe Warte and then, at its west side, descends to the valley. Here it soon becomes a natural footpath leading uphill, back to Wanderath.

Safety Guidelines

Safety guidance – stay safe whilst hiking on the Traumpfade/Traumpfädchen

Hikers like narrow pathways, unspoilt natural trails (leading over the forest floor, across the grass or alongside streams) and rocky climbs which lead to spectacular views. It goes without saying that particular care should be exercised when taking such routes.

Things to bear in mind when preparing for your hike

Wear proper clothing that is appropriate to the weather conditions and that will protect you against the cold and the wet or the heat and the sun.
Schedule suitable breaks during your hike and make sure that you conserve energy.
Take sufficient liquids with you. Establishments selling refreshments are not available everywhere.
When hiking on the Traumpfade, please wear appropriate hiking boots which provide a sufficient foothold on slippery, steep, rocky and uneven paths.
If you do not feel that you are able to negotiate certain parts of the route, then you should avoid such sections or else turn back. Natural pathways may become muddy and treacherous, especially in unfavourable weather.
In autumn in particular, please remember that leaves lying on the ground may be concealing bumps, routes, stones or holes in the path.
You will need to expect route impairments of this kind if you are intending to undertake a hike.
Before setting out, visit https://www.traumpfade.info/traumpfade/wege-status/ in order to find out whether the route you intend to hike is closed or whether diversions are in place. Construction works, timber felling or other disruptions may also be planned.
Recommended hiking season: April to October.

Difficulty rating:

Easy tours

...have only slight differences in altitude and can usually be completed in half a day in terms of distance. They are not particularly demanding in terms of fitness and surefootedness. There are no sections of the trail that require a head for heights. Short, steeper sections are possible. Depending on the trail format, some sections may be difficult to walk in wet weather.

Medium tours

...are easy to manage with a normal level of fitness. Path sections may require good sure-footedness, so sturdy footwear is important, hiking poles may be useful. Some longer and steeper ascents and descents are possible. Difficult (partly secured) passages are the absolute exception and can usually be avoided by taking a detour. Natural sections can be difficult in wet weather.

Difficult tours

...require very good stamina and endurance due to the length and/or the meters of altitude to be covered. You also need to be very sure-footed to tackle steep ascents and descents on sometimes challenging paths. Rope-secured sections and/or easy climbing passages, which require a minimum of freedom from shingles, are possible. Sturdy footwear and hiking poles are important. Paths and exposed passages are often difficult or even impossible to walk in wet or wintry weather.

Equipment

Sturdy shoes are recommended for the tour!

You can find trail closures at: https://www.traumpfade.info/traumpfade/wege-status/

Tip

+++Vom 14.10. bis einschließlich 18.10.2024 ist die B258 im Bereich der Serpentinen vor der Ortsgemeinde Virneburg - aus Fahrtrichtung Mayen kommend - voll gesperrt. Eine großräumige Umleitung ist ausgeschildert. (Stand: 11.10.2024)+++

Getting there

A 48 Exit Mayen/Mendig - B 258 towards Nürburgring - towards Virneburg - through K12/K11 to Baar-Wanderath

Parking

56729 Baar-Wanderath, Churchformer restaurant Waldesruh (Birkenweg 1)

56729 St. Jost, pilgrimage chapel

Public transit

Destination stop: Oberbaar, Kapellenstraße

Line 388 FreizeitBus Mayen-Langenfeld-Arft-Herresbach-Kürrenberg-Mayen (01.04. to 01.11.)

Line 380 RegioBus: direction Kaisersesch to Kürrenberg, Bürgerhaus - Kürrenberg, Bürgerhaus Line 381 direction Welchenbach

www.vrminfo.de

Literature

Traumpfade & Traumpfädchen Band 2: Die 19 besten Premium-Rundwanderungen in der Vordereifel, Ulrike Poller & Wolfgang Todt ISBN: 978-3-934342-61-3
27 Premium-Rundwege Traumpfade, Jubiläumsausgabe 10 Jahre Traumpfade, Ulrike Poller & Wolfgang Todt, ISBN: 978-3-942779-43-2

Maps