Moselsteig Side Trail Graf Georg Johannes Weg

Very nice hike with many viewpoints. Good basic fitness required. Backpack catering. Unfortunately no gastronomy on the route.

☀️🚶🏻‍♀️🐕 Count Georg Johannes is the most famous descendant of the Counts of Veldenz, his story is highlighted on the many panels that can be found all along this route.. I started the hike from the center of the village of Veldenz, which I crossed following its stream, then arriving towards the mill I had a first glimpse of the castle of Veldenz on its rock in the center of the valley, it was the seat of the old count.. Then I started to climb on a gentle and progressive slope up to the rock of the round hammer "Runder Hammer Felsen" on which I enjoyed a beautiful panorama on the valley.. Then other panoramas followed one another all along this section from the rock of the long hammer "Langer Hammer Felsen" to the belvedere "Lohe und Leder", I could admire the beautiful valley of Hinterbach and also the castle of Veldenz from different angles.. Then I went back down and walked in the pretty valley along the Hinterbach stream accompanied by the melodious sound of its many small waterfalls.. I passed in front of an old coffee mill and also in front of the Thielen mill where once one could eat but which today seems abandoned.. From there I started to gain height again and following the forest path I arrived in front of the pagan wall "Heidenmauer", a large rock as well as a stone wall of about 90 meters, vestige of a Celtic refuge.. Going down I walked along the Kalmbach stream in its valley until the entrance of Thalveldenz.. On the next section I could admire the castle more closely.. Still closed at the moment, it will open its doors to visitors from the month of April.. On the end of the route I passed next to very large slate rocks, mineral very present all along the hike, and I could also still enjoy superb points of view, in particular on the rock "Rittersturz" and a magnificent panorama from the belvedere "Josephinenhöhe"..

Today I headed to Veldenz to take a closer look at the Moselsteig detour, the Graf Georg Johannes Weg. What a beautiful trail! Lots of forest, narrow paths, and fantastic views. The trail has it all. Halfway through the route, it had already sneaked into the top spot of my favorite trails 🤭🙏 Rating: exceptional. Thanks to @Elmar for this tip 🙏🙏👍👍

Well signposted path, steep in places. Really beautiful in autumn!

Far away from traffic noise, we tackled the 15 km long circular route near Veldenz on the Moselle. The landscape was dominated by narrow paths and idyllic stream valleys. The almost 650 meters of elevation allowed us to enjoy numerous views from the cliffs and the excellent signage showed us the way. However, we can only recommend this route to experienced hikers with a high level of surefootedness and stamina.

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The hinterland of the Moselle region also has a lot to offer hikers. Admittedly, when a hiking trail bears the name Graf Georg Johannes Weg, it doesn't initially sound like a great adventure. But don't be fooled, because the hiking trail near Veldenz is full of wonderful surprises. Curious to see what the "Moselstieg - Seitensprung" has to offer, I set off in subtropical temperatures. With plenty of water in my pack, I head from the charming Veldenz church up to Josephinenhöhe. This is named after Napoleon's first wife, Josephine Beauharnais, and commemorates the time when the County of Veldenz belonged to France. Josephine herself was certainly never here, and I wonder if she would have enjoyed the view as much as I did this morning? Right from the start, I notice that this hike is not only well signposted, but also connects several historical sites. I pass the Rittersturz, where, according to legend, the devil is said to have fallen into the depths with a knight. Out of respect for the depth, I prefer to photograph the summit cross there from a distance, keeping a good distance away, so I can also enjoy the beautiful view there. The narrow path down to the Kalmbach Valley is rich in such viewpoints, offering fantastic views of Thalveldenz and the castle. From Thalveldenz, the path leads past numerous slate cliffs and back uphill along the Kalmbach stream. Exhausted, I reach the Heidenmauer behind the "Julius Bridge." At the remains of the Celtic refuge made of slate, a large drink of water is in order. The brief respite here in the idyllic oak and beech forest couldn't be more beautiful. Somewhat refreshed, I continue downhill into the Hinterbach Valley. The rustic path leads directly along the rushing stream to the Lorenzmühle rest area. I thoroughly enjoy the cool temperatures here in the valley, acclimatize a little, and recharge my batteries before the final steep climb for the day. From here on, there are no more major elevation changes, with many slate cliffs and a beautiful path along a steep slope. The sun is now shining brightly on the slope, creating rich colors between the dried grasses and vibrant broom. These crooked oaks here are simply beautiful to behold, as is the imposing Dachslay rock. The path over this steep slope from the Hinterbachtal valley to the long, round Hammerfelsen rocks is, for me, undoubtedly the most beautiful section of the route. This adventurous hiking trail through the beautiful forests around Veldenz and through the Hinterbachtal valley is highly recommended. The impressive viewpoints and rock formations, which repeatedly reveal views of Veldenz Castle and the surrounding landscape, provide plenty of variety. This hot summer day in this magnificent natural setting here in Veldenz will remain in my memory for a long time.

Me, no - We first say WOW and again WOW .... This side trip is a real pearl in the Moselle region and definitely a top recommendation. And that despite the fact that we are in the "not-yet-green season" and the Hunsrück forests look more like "grey-brown-black" from the many vantage points. What will it be like later in the year... Moselland Tourism writes about this tour: "The namesake of this Moselsteig detour - Count Georg Johannes - is the most famous offspring of the Veldenz counts, not least because he married a daughter of King Gustav I of Sweden in 1563. The tribal history of the Veldenz counts is therefore a recurring theme on this approximately 14 km long detour. The seat of the former count, Veldenz Castle with its ruins, can also be admired from many vantage points along the way. A stone wall around 90 meters long, which is also impressive along the way, bears witness to a former Celtic refuge. The start and end point of the tour is the romantic town of Veldenz. The hiking trail winds along the mountain flanks of the Veldenz stream and Hinterbach. The stream is crossed twice." In my opinion, listing all the highlights, including the rocks and viewpoints, would go beyond the scope of this article, but I would still like to address one point: From the Josefinenhöhe, named after Empress Josephine Beauharnais, Napoleon's first wife, (if you choose this direction at the end of the tour), the fascinating landscape of a glacial valley of the Moselle spreads out before you (with an explanatory panel) and from this "premium balcony view" you can actually trace a historical river course that formed a double loop, almost a figure of eight. And in addition to the explanatory panel, there is (by the way) a rest area with a bench and drinks station.... 🌞👍👍🥾🥾👍👍🌞🌲🌳🌲😍😊