Oberthal: Hotels and Accommodation

Oberthal is situated in the wooded landscape of northern Saarland; views extend towards the Hunsrück, the upper Blies, the Sankt Wendel and Tholey hill ranges, and the Schaumberg. One specific route through this surrounding landscape is the Rötelstein Trail: this moderately difficult, 14.6-kilometre hike starts in the Güdesweiler hiking area, typically takes four to five hours, and combines wooded ravines, ponds, orchards, root trails, viewpoints, the young Nahe and the protected Oberthal Marsh.

Perhaps you would like to book a hotel for your stay in Oberthal.

Landscape

The Wildfrauhöhle cave on the Leißberg is considered a natural monument and resembles a covered shelter. It was formed in particularly resistant sandstone from the Tholey strata, which were deposited around 275 million years ago. The Peterberg Observatory is located on the 584-metre-high Peterberg; it offers astronomical observations with a 14-inch reflecting telescope at a site far from disturbing sources of light.

History

The Oberthal parish was founded in 1803, when Oberthal was elevated to a vicariate by the Bishop of Metz. The Hunnenring and Wareswald are presented as important archaeological sites where around 1,000 years of regional history can be experienced. The Border Stone Trail follows the former border that ran between the Saar region and Germany from 1925 to 1935, drawing on preserved boundary stones to bring the area's history to life.

Culture

Oberthal's wayside crosses are regarded as historical and religious testimonies; they can be found in built-up areas, fields, meadows and forests. The local heritage association provides information, stories and hiking maps for wayside crosses in Oberthal, Gronig and Güdesweiler. Red ochre has shaped Oberthal's cultural identity over the centuries – as a raw material, a commodity and a symbol of a tradition.

The Valentin Chapel was built between 1761 and 1764 by the hermit Johann Nonninger and is associated with a Stations of the Cross and a Christian legend. The Millpetersch House, built in 1793, is considered a local-history museum with historic interiors, a weaving and spinning room, old workshops, a shop and a coin collection. The Christ the King Church was built in 1928; its tower is 46 metres high, and its furnishings date from the 15th to the 18th century.

Activities

The Oberthal area has connections to hiking trails such as a forest nature trail, a wild-bee nature trail, a forest classroom and Bliesquelle III. The Wendelinus Cycle Route connects Sankt Wendel with Tholey. The Bergradler Oberthal club organises weekly short mountain-bike tours as well as weekend and day tours in the Sankt Wendel district and its surroundings; the club also has a children's and youth group.

Other places: Bosen, Theley, Tholey, Nonnweiler, Eisen

To the overview of destinations: Sankt Wendel.