Dream loop "STUMM-Orgel-Weg"

Starting at the car park at the Idarwald open-air swimming pool, after 300 m we reach the STUMM organ portal, already visible from the car park, on this side of the Rhaunelbach stream. Over the bridge, past the fish pond, we meet the “STUMM-Organ-Trail”, keep to the left after the recommended hiking direction and reach the village of Rhaunen after a few hundred metres. Through the streets “Bauernmühle” and “Am Sonnenschlicher” we reach the junction of the district road. We follow the district road / “Salzengasse” for a few metres and reach the turn-off “Ortsmitte Rhaunen”.

If the centre of the village is not yet our destination, we cross the district road at a suitable point in order to hike into the forest on the opposite side in the bend to the right. We follow the Lingenbach Valley upwards and after 500 m we reach the Jewish cemetery. We hike up the path to the left and leave the valley, leave the forest and shortly afterwards reach the main road. Crossing these, we reach the wooden footbridge in the Näsbach Valley via field and meadow paths, which is followed by a narrow path through an ascending section of forest. We meet a forestry road and walk past a rest area and a former slate quarrying site. We follow the path up the valley, enjoying the view into the meadow valley of the Näsbach. At the next fork, we also stick to the path. After around 200 m we have to watch out. We leave the path and turn left onto a path leading through beech trees.

After leaving the forest and crossing the district road, we reach the viewpoint “Soonwaldblick”. A bench invites us to take a break. At the same time, at this point, there is the possibility of following an access road to Bollenbach on the opposite side of the path. Turning off, we follow the meadow path and after a few hundred metres the path leads us down towards Sulzbach stream. We follow the road “Bollenbacher Pfad”, walking straight ahead we meet the “Kirchstraße”, keep to the right and reach the Protestant Church with STUMM organ and the small museum “STUMM-Stube” with a lovingly compiled exhibition about the “Stumms”. (Visit of the church and STUMM room only on advance booking). We cross the main road, follow the road “Zum Hügel” and go straight ahead to “Heuchelheimer Weg”.

At the end of the village, the route runs parallel to the tarmac farm track along the field copse to the historically significant “Heuchelheim”. There we can enjoy the view once again: To the Soonwald and, if the visibility is good, all the way to the Donnersberg. The recreational area with a shelter offers the opportunity to rest and children can let off steam. The use of the barbecue area is subject to permission and a fee must be paid. After Heuchelheim, we walk at the "highest" level, first along meadow paths, later through spruce trees, towards Hottenbach. After about two kilometres in a zigzag, we reach the edge of the forest, look down on Hottenbach, enjoy the view, see the tower of the Wildenburg and the Erbeskopf. If you want, you can already find an unsigned path into Hottenbach. The access road (orange markings) to Hottenbach is only officially signposted after another kilometre, after crossing the district road between Hottenbach and Rhaunen. Past the official turn off to Hottenbach, turn right onto a meadow path along the forest. After 400 m, the path follows the edge of the forest or here’s a tip - we follow the meadow path for another 100 m and enjoy the view of the Idarkopf and Stipshausen.

Back to the trail markings: We walk along the forest and reach the “Idarkopfblick” viewpoint with a seating area and sensory bench, which invite us to take a break. Now we have managed two thirds of the route. If you decide to take a detour to Stipshausen, leave the STUMM-Organ-Trail at the next crossroads and after 3.5 km (the route is then approx. 2 km longer) you will again meet the STUMM-Organ-Trail dream loop following the orange-yellow access signs. If you do not want to do this, continue along the path at the edge of the forest, cross a tarmac farm road and after another 200 m turn left into the forest and now enjoy the forest passage. After 100 m, the trail follows the ridge on the right and shortly afterwards we turn left into the Rhaunelbach Valley. Passing a refuge, we reach a bridge over the Rhaunelbach stream, change the side of the stream and now enjoy the meadow landscape. After a few minutes, we change sides of the stream again, can take in the Hunsrück landscape for a while at a rest area with a sensory bench, and hike the last kilometre down the valley past former slate tunnels to our starting point.

Hiking footwear essential!

Our tips for carefree hiking fun:

Hiking is the perfect sport. With the right clothes and shoes, it's twice as much fun. Functional clothing, poles and breathable backpacks are good choices when hiking. But good footwear is indispensable. Sturdy jogging or leisure shoes are at best only suitable for short distances on flat paths. For longer walks, we recommend sturdy hiking boots with non-slip soles. Also remember to take sunscreen and a drink. A litre of water is best.

The dream loops do have some steep, difficult and, in rainy conditions or in winter, some slippery sections. Therefore, hiking boots, a sure footing and good physical condition are essential requirements for hiking these premium circular trails.

Exit A61 Rheinböllen, head for Trier/Simmern/Flughafen Hahn, exit B50 at Kirn/Nahe/Büchenbeuren, L182 to Rhaunen, continue on L162 towards Stipshausen until the left turn-off at the Königstein residential area

Exit A62 at Birkenfeld, head for Hoppstädt.-Weiersb ., exit B41 towards exit Herrstein/Fischbach, continue on L160 to the exit Rhaunen/Breitenthal, continue on L180 to Rhaunen. Continue on the L162 in the direction of Stipshausen until the turn-off to the left at the Königstein residential area.

Kirn railway station Bus line 860 or 865 to Rhaunen

Idar-Oberstein railway station: Bus line 850/856 (call bus) or 855 to Rhaunen

Current timetables at www.rnn.info

Outdoor pool Idarwald, 55624 Rhaunen

Tourist information in EdelSteinland:

Office Herrstein
Brühlstr. 16
55756 Herrstein
phone +49 6785 - 79 1400

Fax +49 6785 - 798 1400
info@edelsteinland.de
www.edelsteinland.de

Office Idar-Oberstein
Main street 419
55743 Idar-Oberstein
Fon +49 6781 - 64 6040

Fax +49 6781 - 64 9514
info@edelsteinland.de
www.edelsteinland.de

Detailed information on the website www.edelsteinland.de or www.saar-hunsrueck-steig.de

At www.stumm-orgelverein.de you can find current information about concerts on traditional STUMM organs

Download the organ recordings from the STUMM organ audio library to your smartphone and listen to the organs on the way to the information boards.