Oberthal: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

Oberthal is situated in the wooded landscape of northern Saarland. From here, views extend towards the Hunsrück, the upper Blies, the Sankt Wendel and Tholey hill ranges, and the Schaumberg. The Rötelstein Trail is a moderately difficult, 14.6-kilometre hike that leads from the Güdesweiler hiking area through wooded ravines, past ponds and meadows, over root trails and to viewpoints, to the young Nahe and into the protected Oberthal marshland. The walking time is typically four to five hours.

Nature and Trails

The Wildfrauhöhle cave on the Leißberg is described as a natural monument resembling a covered shelter. It formed in particularly resistant sandstone from the Tholey strata, which were deposited around 275 million years ago. In the Oberthal area, there are connections to hiking trails; these include a forest educational trail, a wild bee educational trail, a forest classroom and the Blies Spring III. The Wendelinus Cycle Path connects Sankt Wendel with Tholey.

Culture and History

The history of the Oberthal parish dates back to 1803. That year, Oberthal was elevated to a vicariate by the Bishop of Metz, and the parish was founded. Rötel shaped Oberthal's cultural identity over the centuries – as a raw material, a trading commodity and a symbol of tradition.

The local heritage association provides information, stories and hiking maps about the wayside crosses in Oberthal, Gronig and Güdesweiler. The wayside crosses of Oberthal are presented as historical and religious testimonies; they can be found in built-up areas, fields, meadows and forests. The Valentine Chapel was built between 1761 and 1764 by the hermit Johann Nonninger and is associated with a Way of the Cross and a Christian legend.

The Millpetersch House, dating from 1793, is described as a local history museum. It contains historic interiors, a weaving and spinning room, old workshops, a shop and a coin collection. The Christ the King Church was built in 1928 and has a 46-metre-high tower; its furnishings date from the 15th to the 18th century.

Discoveries

The Peterberg Observatory is located on the 584-metre-high Peterberg and enables astronomical observations with a 14-inch reflecting telescope in a place away from disruptive light sources. The Hunnenring and Wareswald are presented as significant archaeological sites where around 1,000 years of regional history can be experienced.

The Border Stone Trail follows the former border between the Saar Territory and Germany, which existed from 1925 to 1935. It uses preserved boundary stones to bring the history of the area to life.

Active on the Move

The Bergradler Oberthal association organises short weekly mountain bike tours as well as weekend and day tours in and around the Sankt Wendel district. The association also includes a children's and youth group.

Anyone wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Oberthal can then continue searching for accommodation.

Further Destinations

Other places within the same destination:

Bosen, Theley, Tholey, Marpingen, Freisen, Nohfelden, Alsweiler.

To the overview of the higher-level destination: Sankt Wendel.