Morbach: Nature, Hiking and Cultural History

Morbach combines opportunities to enjoy nature and outdoor activities with cultural history. If you are looking for a hotel in Morbach, you can plan your stay around your interests: hiking and cycling trails, the Ortelsbruch moorland area, and archaeological, technological and film-history themes offer a range of options. Historical sites span the period from a Celtic-Roman settlement to a medieval castle ruin.

Nature and Hiking

Morbach lies in the Saar-Hunsrück Nature Park and the Haardtkopf Landscape Conservation Area. Ortelsbruch is a Hunsrück slope moor south of Morbach. The landscape offers a specific point of interest for anyone wishing to explore moorland and nature during their stay.

The forest fitness trail at Ortelsbruch has 18 exercise stations. At Nixenweiher, you can walk through the fresh moor water. The forest playground there is designed for multiple generations and includes swings, slides, climbing equipment and a tree-top zip line.

Stages 10 and 11 of the Saar-Hunsrück-Steig pass through the Morbach holiday region; local trail conditions can change. Another hiking option is the Butzel-Kewes trail around Morbach-Gonzerath: this family hiking route includes numerous activity stations. Certified nature and landscape guides offer individually tailored themed hikes by appointment. Bookings are available for groups of six or more; confirm the date again before your trip.

Cycling in and Through Morbach

The 33-kilometre “In the Footsteps of History” cycle route offers several sightseeing opportunities within Morbach. The route passes through forests, fields and small villages, as well as elevated viewpoints. The tour thus combines a specified route length with changing landscape views and possible sightseeing stops within Morbach.

The Hunsrück-Nahe road cycling route “Across the Rugged Hunsrück Hills” has a different character: it reaches Morbach via Baldenau Castle Ruin and continues through the Idar Forest. Check signage and route conditions before setting out; you should also allow for possible detours on the regional route.

Culture and History

The museum at Belginum Archaeological Park is located at the site of a Celtic-Roman settlement in Morbach-Wederath. It was inhabited from around 400 BC to 400 AD. The archaeological site also includes a nearby excavated burial ground with more than 2,500 graves.

Baldenau Castle Ruin is the only moated castle in the Hunsrück and was built around 1320. Together with Belginum, it offers a very different historical point of interest from the German Telephone Museum: its more than 2,000 exhibits span two centuries of telecommunications history, presented interactively.

Film history is also represented in Morbach. Café Heimat is located in Edgar Reitz’s former childhood home and displays film stills, original screenplays and props. Visitors can interactively experience sequences from the Heimat films there. Café Heimat also presents selected regional products and connects them with regional tradition and history; the specific selection of products may change.

More Leisure Activities

Morbach’s heated outdoor pool offers swimming, use of the diving board and beach volleyball. It operates seasonally, and conditions may vary. Check the current conditions before your visit.

You can plan your trip around specific interests: hiking and cycling trails, play and outdoor activity options, or archaeology, technology and film history. For guided hikes, remember to book an appointment; for a visit to the outdoor pool, its seasonal operation is a consideration.

Discover more destinations: Hoxel, Hinzerath, Wederath, Gonzerath, Salmtal, Dierscheid, Bernkastel-Kues, Manderscheid.

Back to the main travel overview: Bernkastel-Wittlich.