Star bike tour from Saarbrücken

You can begin your journey of discovery comfortably by taking the train to Blieskastel (approx. 30 minutes) and into the heart of the Bliesgau Biosphere Reserve. You can cycle idyllically on signposted cycle paths through the gently rolling landscape. Enjoy lovely meadows, orchards with gnarled apple and plum trees and vast beech forests. The small river Blies winds its way through this unique natural setting and takes you to the Bliesbruck-Reinheim European Cultural Park. Since 1987, the remains of a villa from Roman times have been excavated here, which at 70.000 m² is one of the largest of its kind in the Saar-Mosel-space. The archaeological park is located on the border between France and Germany. On the German side, discover the remains of a Roman villa, the over 2000 year old grave of a princess from the Celtic period and the Schaub Museum with finds from the nearby area. The French side presents a small Gallo-Roman town that at the time had space for around 2000 people, a thermal bath complex and the exhibition center. Strengthen yourself in the Roman tavern before following the cycle paths along the Blies until just before Saargemünd (France). Here you will meet the still young Saar, which will take you back to Saarbrücken in a relaxed manner on the beautiful Saar cycle path. If you want, you can also take the train from Saargemünd (40 km) or take a short bike ride through the city center in Saarbrücken (61 km).

Overnight place: Like the day before in Saarbrücken

A completely different day of cycling awaits you today. Along the Burbach and its forest pond you cycle up and down through wide forests into the former coal mining area of ​​the Saar. In many small towns you can still find evidence of this past. Look forward to the highlight of the day in Völklingen. Here you absolutely have to visit the World Heritage Site Völklingen Ironworks (included). It is one of currently 51 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Germany! In terms of its importance, it is on an equal footing with the Egyptian pyramids, the Great Wall of China and the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. A visit to the Völklingen Ironworks is like an adventure: it goes deep into the dark corridors of the Möllerhalle and high up the ascent to the viewing platform at the blast furnace. You can plan a lot of time for this visit, because then you follow the flat Saar cycle path back to Saarbrücken (12 km) or you can use the good train connection from Völklingen (direct journey, 15 minutes).

Overnight place: Like the day before in Saarbrücken

A slight climb on a beautiful forest path takes you to the German-French border. Today you cycle sometimes in France, sometimes in Germany and you will feel it again and again in many little things. Make a stopover worth seeing at Parc Explor Wendel. The Wendel colliery on the French side was built in 1862 and is now closed. Visit the imposing colliery individually or join a guided tour. Then you go down more than 1200 meters in an old pit cage like the miners used to and discover the coal mining sites with their amazing angles of inclination. You will then cycle through the old mining settlement of Petite Rosselle. A winding cycle path along the Rossel river brings you back to the Saar near Völklingen. From now on you stay in Germany. Enjoy cycling on the Saar cycle path to Saarlouis and admire the historic ramparts of the former fortified city. Saarlouis was founded by King Louis XIV in 1680 and developed by his master builder Vauban as the foremost northern defensive bastion of the Kingdom of France. Today the remains are cleverly integrated into the cityscape. In the casemates you will find modern cafes and restaurants. Then enjoy another 12 km on the flat Saar Cycle Path before you take the train back to Saarbrücken in Beckingen (direct journey, 30 minutes).

Overnight place: Like the day before in Saarbrücken

In just 35 minutes, the DB takes you to Mettlach, where the Villeroy & Boch adventure center is well worth seeing. But the impressive Saarschleife is even more attractive. The cycle path runs very close to the river here. Swap the bike for walking shoes and walk up to the 'Cloef' viewpoint. Only 30 minutes and the view of the Saar loop is simply breathtaking! The treetop path, from which you can enjoy spectacular views of the Saar loop, is also really worthwhile. Then follow the Saar cycle path via Merzig to Saarfels, where the small Nied flows into the Saar. From here you can undertake a wonderful circular tour through the Niedtal. You cycle on small paths through wide meadow orchards, sometimes very close, sometimes winding along the Nied stream to the Wackenmühle, which entices you to dream in an idyllic forest location. Stop in and enjoy the sun terrace and the beer garden of the Wackenmühle before you cycle back to the Saar cycle path on the other side of the river. Now it is only 3 km to the train station in Beckingen, where you can return to Saarbrücken by train in a relaxed manner.

Overnight place: Like the day before in Saarbrücken

Take the train to Homburg (25 minutes), where your Roman and nature discovery tour starts. You cycle along the Erbach to Schwarzenacker on beautiful, well-paved bike paths. Visit the interesting Roman Museum, an archaeological open-air museum with a beautifully landscaped baroque garden. Wander through excavated floor plans of ancient Roman buildings, streets and canals. Marvel at reconstructed Roman buildings with murals and heated floors, a replica temple, and many replica columns and statues. Then you will meet "an old friend" again on your bike, the Blies, which you will follow for 7 km before the bike paths along the Würzbach show you the way. Enjoy this bike tour, because it leads through beautiful nature. Take a break at the Würzbacher Weiher, where the café and beer garden beckon. The Frohnsbachtal, Geißbachtal and Glashüttental with their ponds lead you to St. Ingbert, with about 37.000 inhabitants the fifth largest city in Saarland. You then cycle through the Gumbachtal back to Saarbrücken on well-paved cycle paths. Take a well-deserved break at the idyllic market square of St. Arnual, Saarbrücken's oldest district. Marvel at the Collegiate Church of St. Arnual, a Gothic three-aisled basilica built around 1390 before cycling the last few kilometers along the tobacco mill and through the Franco-German Garden back to the hotel.

Overnight place: Like the day before in Saarbrücken

After breakfast, your eventful star bike tour ends at the hotel. If you want, you can stay longer to discover more of the Saarland.

The individual cycling stages

The order of the daily stages is flexible, which stage you cycle on which day is up to you. And every day you can choose how many kilometers you want to cycle, because every tour has at least one shorter and one longer variant. Either the route provides a shortcut, or there is a practical train connection to bridge a section. So you can decide spontaneously every day how much time you want to spend in the bike saddle.

Overnight place: Saarbrücken