E5 - Two-valley hike through Ahringstal and Großbachtal

start: Tourist Info Enkirch
destination: Tourist Info Enkirch

medium
20,86 km
5 hours 58 minutes
334 m
432 m
99 m
80 / 100
60 / 100

A scenic day hike through the side valleys of Enkirch that stretch far into the Hunsrück.

A hike through the Ahringstal is very varied and scenic. Numerous mills decorate the path, forests and meadows alternate, making the trail pleasant to walk even in summer. Far in the valley there is a very idyllic rest area at the "Rauschkümpel", a small waterfall that invites you to linger. Another rest area is located further along at the "fire brigade hut", near the road between Enkirch and Raverbeuren. From there you reach the Großbachtal via woods, meadows, and fields, whose course is also lined with woods and meadows. From there, it goes back to the starting point in Enkirch.

Enkirch Ahr Valley with view of Starkenburg

General information

Directions

From the Enkirch Tourist Information towards "Hotel Steffensberg", cross the street over the bridge there, then turn left onto "Im Alten Tal". Follow this path until you reach "Mühlweg". Turn left to the street "Am Steffensberg". Follow this street to the right until the intersection at the Catholic church after about 300 m. Continue straight into the Ahringstal. This valley and its numerous mills will accompany you over the next 10 km. Ahead on the ridge you will see the village Starkenburg. After about 2 km you will reach a fork in the road, please keep left. (To the right you go to the mills: Ahringsmühle, lower and upper Starkenburg mills further to Starkenburg.) approx. 3.0 km.
After 700 m a fork in the road, keep right. After 300 m you will see a single house on the left, the "Goldhäuschen".
In 2.7 km you will reach a bridge. The valley joining here leads to the Hunsrückhöhenstraße (long-distance hiking trail Mosel-Nahe with destination in Kirn). Please cross the stream here and immediately follow the signs to the left. In 0.7 km you will come to the "Rauschkümpel", a rest area with a small waterfall. Then continue following the creek to the "Silbersteige". Please keep left, across the bridge towards Berghof. After 1 km you will come to a large fork, please keep left. Follow the signs for several large curves approx. 1.0 km. At the intersection, keep right; after approx. 300 m at the large fir tree (fork in the road) turn right. Follow the main path for approx. 900 m. Cross the Enkirch - Raversbeuren road to the fire brigade hut. Continue straight along the main path for approx. 250 m. At the intersection turn right towards "Zweibäche" until the end of the forest. Follow the path half-left across the open area. At the next fork left again and follow this path downhill. At the next forks, turn right twice. At the second large left bend continue downhill and go straight ahead at the next intersection approx. 200 m.
After about 600 m you will reach the hiking trail E 3. Turn left towards Enkirch. You will see the holiday homes of Enkirch and the upper retention basin. (In very wet weather it is recommended to cross the dam and return via an asphalt road.) Continue along the path always keeping right. Later you will see the tennis courts and reach the asphalt road at the former outdoor swimming pool which you follow further to the left, passing the "Hotel Neumühle". The next left turn leads you back onto the street "Am Steffensberg", then after turning right for 1.0 km you will be back at your starting point.

Equipment

Sturdy footwear and sufficient provisions recommended

Tip

The many idyllic rest and relaxation spots invite you to linger.

Getting there

By car via the B53, L192, or L193 federal roads to Enkirch on the Mosel

Parking

Free parking at Mosel parking lot Enkirch. About 150 m to the starting point

Public transit

By train (Easter to October): take the Mosel wine railway to Kövenig stop, then the ferry to Enkirch. About 150 m from the ferry to the starting point.

By bus with line 333 (Moselbahn, Trier-Bullay) or line 720 (Bullay-Traben-Trarbach) to Enkirch stop. About 150 m to the starting point.

Literature

Panorama hiking map Enkirch

Maps

Topographic hiking map 1:25,000
Hiking area Mosel region Traben-Trarbach Kröv
ISBN: 978-3-944-620-24-4