Trier-Saarburg: Roman History, Castles and Trails

Roman roadside settlements, surviving castle walls, red sandstone cliffs and signposted trails give a trip through Trier-Saarburg a variety of highlights. When choosing a hotel for your stay, you can start by prioritizing your plans: are you most interested in Roman history, views, outdoor activities or the regional Viez culture? The places and activities offer specific points of reference to help you decide.

Castles, views of the Saar and Roman traces

Large sections of Saarburg Castle’s curtain walls and a residential tower have survived. Several viewing platforms and the tower offer panoramic views of the Saar Valley. The surviving parts of the castle and the view of the landscape are two distinct features. In Konz, part of a cold-water pool about 4 metres high has survived from the Roman imperial palace. The palace’s former terrace offers views of the Moselle and Saar rivers and the surrounding mountains. Here, you can compare an architectural detail among the Roman remains with a far-reaching view of the landscape.

Roman sites and their different perspectives

The Roman roadside settlement of Tabernae in Tawern is considered the origin of the town. It was established shortly before the turn of the era on the Roman main road from the Moselle via Metz to Rome. An authentic scale model of the settlement, at 1:75, is on display in the pavilion; the large reconstructed temple complex of Tawern also stands in the forest. The free ARGO app lets you view the temple complex on site at its original size and as a 360-degree augmented reality display. The model, reconstructed complex and digital display thus offer different perspectives on the Roman past.

The Roman theatre in Kastel-Staadt is part of a 2.5-kilometre Archaeological Adventure Trail. Freudenburg Castle Ruins offer another historical perspective: they are the remains of a castle built in the 14th century to control the military road between Trier and Metz. A guided tour of the castle ruins can be booked on request. This is useful to know when planning if you would like to visit Freudenburg with a guided tour.

Circular route, cycling and hiking trails

The Tälchen Tour is designated as a moderately difficult circular route, is 37.28 kilometres long and is listed as taking about 2 hours and 45 minutes. It starts and ends in Konz and leads to the Wiltinger Saarbogen nature reserve. The route also recommends a detour to the waterfall in Saarburg’s old town. This circular route therefore provides both distance and duration details, as well as specific destinations that may factor into your planning.

Trier-Saarburg district has 492 kilometres of cycling routes. There is also a dense network of cycling and hiking trails along the Viezstraße. The Kasteler Felsenpfad offers a different kind of experience: it leads through a striking red sandstone landscape with distinctive rock formations and offers panoramic views of the Saar Valley across the Pinschbach Valley and from Altfels. For the Tälchen Tour, the distance, designated difficulty and duration are specified; the Kasteler Felsenpfad focuses on the landscape and views.

Viez and regional insights

In the wider region, the 175-kilometre Viezstraße runs from Merzig on the Saar, through the Saarburger Land, to the Moselle city of Trier. Along the Viezstraße, fruit growers, fine-fruit distillers, farmers, hoteliers and restaurateurs offer information, regional recipes and experiences related to Viez. The theme thus connects regional products with insights into their culture. If you would like to include regional food and drink culture in your trip alongside historic sites and trails, the Viezstraße offers a distinct focus.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Temmels, Köwerich, Serrig, Klüsserath, Wincheringen, Schleich, Saarburg, Detzem, Schweich, Thörnich, Taben-Rodt, Merzkirchen, Mehring, Irsch, Riol, Nittel, Longuich, Wiltingen, Mertesdorf, Konz, Ensch, Zemmer, Kordel, Reinsfeld, Züsch, Geisfeld, Waldweiler, Neuhütten, Lampaden, Gusenburg, Grimburg, Heddert, Bescheid, Hermeskeil, Hentern, Holzerath, Kenn, Trassem, Waldrach, Fell, Kell Am See, Palzem, Trier, Schoden, Schillingen, Ockfen, Rascheid, Leiwen, Gusterath, Igel, Welschbillig, Kasel, Kelsen, Wellen, Freudenburg, Tawern, Biebelhausen, Wasserliesch, Beuren, Baldringen, Wehr, Trierweiler, Butzweiler, Wawern, Newel, Pölich, Föhren, Kahren, Bekond, Naurath, Krettnach, Greimerath, Saarburg-Hosteberg, Longen, Mannebach, Oberbillig, Langsur, Kanzem, Morscheid, Zerf, Schöndorf, Ralingen.

Go to the main travel overview: Rhineland-Palatinate.