Breitenthal – Weeping Oak, Slate and the Medieval Path

Breitenthal lies on the edge of the Hunsrück at an elevation of around 400 metres above sea level, in a broad valley. The town offers several specific points of interest for planning your trip: local history, slate mining, hiking and cycling.

Local History and the Weeping Oak

Breitenthal was first mentioned on 29 September 1282 under the name Breydendal. The settlement developed from a manorial estate. The date and the estate’s role in its origins shed light on different aspects of the town’s history: its early mention on the one hand, and the settlement’s beginnings on the other.

The Weeping Oak is a listed natural monument near Breitenthal. A local legend tells that soldiers set fire to the forest during the Thirty Years’ War. The tree thus links a natural monument with a story passed down locally.

Slate as Part of Local History

Slate is also part of the town’s history. Old slate spoil heaps and mining tunnels remain in Breitenthal; mining continued until the end of 1959. The slate was known for its high quality and was used in house construction. Bats now live in the former mining tunnels. The story of slate thus connects a former industry with a building material and a present-day habitat.

Hiking the Medieval Path

The Medieval Path runs near Breitenthal and is approximately 8.5 kilometres long. Natural surfaces make up 72 percent of the route. Streams, forest edges, rocks and scenic views characterise the trail. Its route also includes natural sections with ascents and descents. When planning, it is therefore worth taking account of the surface and changes in elevation as well as the approximate distance.

Guided hikes are regularly offered on the Medieval Path. If you would like to join one, check the latest dates in advance.

Cycling Through Breitenthal

The Panoramic Tour on the Sonnenplateau takes you through Breitenthal by bike and is suitable for e-bikes. It follows the Nahe-Hunsrück-Moselle Cycle Route in part and connects to the Nahe Cycle Route at Fischbach. The routes also differ in their relationship to the town: the Medieval Path runs near Breitenthal, while the Panoramic Tour passes through it.

Regional Context: Birkenfeld

The Birkenfeld travel destination offers other distinct cultural and natural attractions. Part of the Hunsrück-Hochwald National Park lies within the Birkenfeld municipal association. The Birkenfeld State Museum has permanent exhibitions on the Celts and Romans; Birkenfeld and the Wittelsbachs; the iron industry in Birkenfeld district; a reconstructed old classroom from around 1930; and the Oldenburg era. In the wider Birkenfeld travel destination, the 2.5-kilometre-long Avenue of the Gods between Schwollen and Leisel features ten life-size, colourful figures of gods, offering a different focus from the State Museum’s permanent exhibitions.

Discover more destinations: Veitsrodt.

Return to the wider travel overview: Herrstein.