Alsting to Spicheren circular loop

This walk starts in Alsting at the end of Rue du Pont. Leave your car in one of the two car parks on the left-hand side of the road, one before the bridge over the Simbach (route choice) or the other just after it.

(S/E) Cross the bridge then take the Sandhuebel cycle path on the right, where you’ll walk past several meadows with horses. Leave the grounds and buildings of the Horse Riding Association on your right.

(1) Continue straight on towards the Siebertsmuehle housing estate.

(2) At the junction, take Rue de Simbach on the left and follow it to the end.

(3) Cross the French-German border and head straight into the forest towards Saarbrücken, following the "Saarwanderweg".

(4) Turn left as soon as you see the first houses and follow the path, which curves to the right and joins the Ohligbach. Cross the river, turn right and walk a few dozen metres.

(5) Turn left, cross the clinic car park and then Sonnenbergstrasse, and continue along the path opposite to return to the forest. You’ll come to some steps; climb them on the left.

(6) Once at the top, take the Oberer Felsenweg on the right. Continue along this path through the forest to reach a viewpoint overlooking the town.

(7) Continue to the left and reach the junction with a very wide path.

(8) Head left to follow this wide, straight path which leads to Spicheren.

(9) Cross the French-German border again and turn right to follow the Chemin Général Doens. You will see a few bunkers at the side of the path, then two football pitches before coming to a large bunker and an American tank.

(10) As you leave the forest, head towards the Woll restaurant on the right for a break if you wish.

(11) Retrace your steps and continue straight on along Rue des Hauteurs towards the town centre. Take the left-hand bend, pass the Chapel of Reconciliation and continue for about fifty metres.

(12) Turn left into the Kleinwitz housing estate and walk straight through it.

(13) At the end of the estate, turn right onto Rue de l’École. After the cemetery, take the sharp left turn onto Rue des Cerises to leave Spicheren.

(14) At the three-way junction, head diagonally left towards Alsting via Muehlenweg. Follow this path alongside the Simbach stream to a crossroads on the edge of a wooded area.

(15) Head up the road to the left for about 200 m, then, on the hill, take the cycle path on the right. Continue along this path before turning right into Rue du Pont to cross the Simbach and return to the car park (S/E).

Wear a good pair of walking shoes; the paths are not muddy.

If necessary, bring an umbrella and a water bottle.

The historic sites of the 1870 Battle of Spicheren, the bunker and an American tank from the 1939–1945 war. These monuments are located along the hiking trail.