Dream Loop Hochwald Eight

20.4 km5 hours 30 minutes

Difficulty: Challenging255 m273 m

parking

public transport

Description

The first part of the hike leads through the large wooded area of the Osburg High Forest, past the ancient Ruwer Spruce and the Ruwer spring. Beyond the dam of the Keller Lake, the landscape changes: expansive meadows and fields offer wonderful views of the Rösterkopf and the Teufelskopf opposite. The route of the Traumschleife (Dream Loop) is laid out in a figure-eight pattern. From the starting point at the reservoir in Kell, the trail leads into the Osburg Forest, where you encounter the young Ruwer River. The narrow forest path winds partly parallel to the watercourse. On the way to the Ruwer spring at the Rösterkopf stands the "Ruwer Spruce." At over 40 meters tall and with a circumference of 3.70 meters at chest height, it is considered the largest tree in the Keller Forest. Below the Rösterkopf lies the capped source of the Ruwer. From the spring, the trail descends through the extensive, sometimes mystical-looking woodland of the Osburg Forest.

After long stretches through the forest in the first part of the hike, and once you leave Keller Lake via the dam crest, you pass through extensive fields and meadows with pastureland and extraordinary panoramic views. The path runs along the Lehbach stream between Schillingen and the nature reserve through the Keller Mulde valley. The damp, marshy pastureland offers, among other things, ideal growing conditions for bristle grass.

After passing Simons Mill, a small pond, and the village park in Waldweiler, you have an unobstructed view of the surrounding villages beyond the village. A 360-degree panorama unfolds from the hilltop. Following the Ruwer River, you reach Kell am See and continue along the path to the "Dumpert" village park, which you cross before finally returning to the reservoir.

The Traumschleife trail offers a wide range of dining options along the way.

The trail has been certified by the German Hiking Institute with 67 experience points.

Directions

We begin our hike at the parking area by the reservoir in Kell am See. A large, wooden entrance gate leads us onto the lakeside path, which we follow to the left for approximately 600 meters. Above the path are the stud farm and the Hotel Fronhof. Behind the local angling club building, we leave the lakeside path and head left towards the village of Kell am See. After about 1 kilometer, we reach the edge of Kell am See and follow the Traumschleifen (Dream Loop) trail markers along Weidenstraße towards the Dumpert village park. Along the Ruwer River, which is still quite inconspicuous at this point, we reach an underpass beneath state road L143, which we use to get to the Kell am See sports complex. Behind the tennis courts, we turn right onto a pleasant forest edge path and follow it. The Ruwer-Hochwald cycle path runs parallel to the left above this path, and to the right there are frequent beautiful views into a nature reserve, which, as part of the Keller Mulde, is kept largely open during the summer months through extensive grazing. After about 1.2 km, we reach a footbridge that takes us across the Rothbach stream; a few steps carved into the embankment lead us to the Ruwer-Hochwald cycle path, which we cross here before continuing our hike across mostly open countryside towards Waldweiler.
We cross the K 68 road, and after about 1.2 km, a viewing platform with a bench, specially built for the Traumschleife (Dream Loop) trail, awaits us. Here, you have a magnificent panoramic view – an information panel explains the surrounding villages and hills of the Hochwald region to resting hikers. After a gentle climb, at the highest point of which you should once again enjoy the beautiful panoramic view, we hike along field and meadow paths to Waldweiler. Within the village, after a few hundred meters, we reach the multi-generational park at the Teufelskopfhalle (Devil's Head Hall). The park pond with benches, a children's playground, and the Kneipp facility invite you to linger. Following the Burkelsbach stream, we walk towards Simons Mill. Immediately before the mill, we turn right onto Mühlenweg (Mill Path) and then immediately left again to reach Manderner Straße (Mandern Street) by walking behind a row of houses.
Just before the road, we turn left onto a meadow path, following the signs for the Traumschleife (Dream Loop) trail. After a few meters, we cross Manderner Straße and turn onto Am Kirchweg. We continue along this road until we reach Bahnhofstraße, cross it, and then proceed along In den Hufblätter. After a few meters, the road becomes a farm track, which leads us to a small wooded area on the Ruwer-Hochwald cycle path. A path through dense trees leads down to the Ruwer-Hochwald cycle path, which we follow for approximately 250 meters towards Niederkell.

Before reaching the first houses of Niederkell, we turn right at a sharp angle onto a meadow path and follow it for approximately 1.3 km. Then we turn right again, cross a small bridge, and continue along the edge of the forest to the L143 state road (the connecting road between Kell am See and Schillingen). We cross this road and continue our walk on the opposite side in the adjacent meadow. After 250 m, we reach a wooded area, through which a path leads us to the campsite with a swimming pool. With the campsite in sight, we turn right, cross the reservoir road, and follow the path to the dam of the Kell reservoir. We continue across the dam, turn right before the lake hotel, and then back onto the lakeside path, passing the Haus am See (House by the Lake) towards the Landal holiday park. Just before the first houses, we turn left and follow the path in a loop along the northern edge of the holiday park. At the end of the path we come to the K 75, follow it on a shoulder for a few meters towards the holiday park, before we reach the Kell am See climbing forest on the other side of the road via the designated forest parking area.

Following the path through the climbing forest for 500 meters northwards, we reach a Kneipp water-treading basin. After a refreshing dip for tired feet, we continue along a narrow path that climbs gently alongside the Spalbach stream. Halfway up the path to the Ruwer spring, we turn east and hike along the border trail between the state and municipal forests to the Ruwer spring. Upon arrival, the clear, cool spring water offers a welcome refreshment for most hikers. From the Ruwer spring, we hike along a narrow path beside the still very young Ruwer river towards Kell am See. Passing the impressive Ruwer spruce, we reach the idyllic forest pond, which we arrive at after 1.5 kilometers from the Ruwer spring. From there, we continue our hike on a well-maintained forest path, passing through the former school forest to reach the Layenkaul youth campsite, which serves as a holiday camp for numerous youth groups, especially during the summer months.
After passing the youth campsite, we quickly reach county road 75 again and can already see the eastern edge of the holiday park on the opposite side. Anyone with enough energy left can show off their inner football pro on the soccer field just a few meters away before crossing the road and following a path below the holiday park that leads back to the hiking car park by the lake and thus to the starting point of the hike.

Public transportation

Arrival by bus, current timetable can be found at: www.vrt-info.de

Park

Parking lot for hikers at the reservoir in 54427 Kell am See
or
parking lot at the Teufelskopfhalle in 54429 Waldweiler

Directions

To the hiking parking area at the Kell reservoir:
Take the B407 to Kell am See, pass through the town, and follow the K75 towards the reservoir (approx. 1.5 km outside the town). At the reservoir, in the immediate vicinity of the Fronhof stud farm, head towards the hiking parking area. There, directly on the lakeside path, is a large portal marking the start of the Hochwald Acht trail.
Navigation destination:
Römerstraße, 54427 Kell am See.

To the Teufelskopfhalle in Waldweiler:
Take the B407 to Waldweiler. Follow the signs to the Teufelskopfhalle, located within the town, via Saarstraße (K72). Parking is available at the hall, and directly next to it is a large entrance portal marking the start of the Hochwald Acht trail.
Navigation destination:
Hauptstraße, 54429 Waldweiler

Safety instructions

The Hochwald Acht Dream Loop trail features many sections of unspoiled natural terrain. The 20 km long trail can generally be hiked year-round, taking into account potential restrictions due to unforeseen circumstances such as ice, snow, or storm damage. Due to its length and elevation profile, the trail is considered challenging. Approximately 6 hours of hiking time should be allowed, including breaks. The trail also allows for the option of hiking two separate loops, which are nearly identical in length at 11 and 9 km.

The premium circular hiking trails include some steep, challenging sections that can be slippery in rain or winter weather. Therefore, sure-footedness and good physical condition are essential for hiking these premium trails.

equipment

Sturdy footwear (hiking boots) is strongly recommended.

Tips & Highlights

The Hochwald Eight Dream Loop connects the two beautifully designed village parks in Kell am See and Waldweiler. Both parks are located in the village centers and are oases of peace and relaxation. Opposite them is the reservoir in Kell am See, the region's tourist center.
Numerous recreational opportunities are available around the reservoir, which are particularly appealing to families with children (indoor playground, riding stables, paddleboat rentals, mini-golf). The Dream Loop also offers several places to stop for refreshments and rest.