Mastershausen: Hiking, History and Culture

Mastershausen offers several specific points of interest for a trip: the Masdascher Burgherrenweg, evidence of local history and cultural activities. The circular trail starts in Mastershausen and connects the Hunsrück landscape with traces of mills and castles.

The Masdascher Burgherrenweg as a circular hike

The Masdascher Burgherrenweg starts in Mastershausen and is approximately 13.9 kilometres long. The circular trail includes nine information stations. Highlights include the remains of old mills, the 13th-century ruins of Balduinseck Castle and views across the Hunsrück landscape. The approximate distance provides a first guide for planning the hike; the stations also offer historical points of interest, and the route includes rest stops and scenic sections.

The route crosses two streams via footbridges and reaches the “Am Katzenloch” rest area. Another section follows the stream beneath the L 203, then passes through riverside woodland and crosses the stream via a footbridge. After passing Kaspers Mill, the path climbs towards the castle hill. Bridges, woodland, the climb and the rest area are different elements to consider when planning your hike.

The trail also reaches Grube Apollo: ore, rather than slate, was mined there, and development of the mine field began in 1891. This adds mining history to the castle and mill traces.

Local history and archaeological traces

Historical features associated with Mastershausen include St. Lucia Parish Church, historic farmhouses and half-timbered houses, religious sculptures and roadside crosses, as well as boundary stones. Kaspers Mill is another historical point of interest: it is a 19th-century watermill.

About two kilometres northwest of Mastershausen lies Burgberg, a protected archaeological monument. Coin finds there are associated with Roman activity from the second half of the 3rd century to the beginning of the 5th century. Another historical point of interest is the Galgenturm: it has stood on the Hunsrück plateau since 2008 and is intended to evoke a Roman watchtower.

Culture and special reasons to visit

The “Spectakel” theatre association regularly stages performances and helps keep the regional dialect alive. Performance dates may vary. If you would like to combine your trip with a visit to the theatre, check the current schedule when planning.

At the “Am Fürstengrab” woodland cemetery, an informative guided tour is offered at 2 p.m. on the first Sunday of each month. The meeting point is the car park at the forest cemetery. Check the date before you travel.

Planning bus connections

Bus route 630 operates on weekdays between Kastellaun and Mastershausen (Balduinseck Castle ruins). At weekends, routes 615 and 630 run with a change in Kastellaun. Take the day of the week and the transfer into account when planning your journey; check the current timetable before setting out.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Raversbeuren, Emmelshausen, Dommershausen, Mörschbach, Argenthal, Dickenschied, Rohrbach, Hollnich.

Back to the main travel overview: Rhein-Hunsrück.