A total of 14 mills, located in both German and French territory, are a characteristic feature of this half-day bike tour and invite you to linger. For cyclists starting from Zweibrücken train station, the route first leads over a former railroad embankment to the monastery town of Hornbach, where St. Pirminius is buried. If you start from the parking lot of the Pirminiushalle in Hornbach, follow the Bahnhofstraße towards the Hornbach monastery. The cycle path is very well signposted from Hornbach. In the adjacent valley of the Schwalb, you then cross over to France and continue along a small stream. A possible rest stop with a picnic can be made at the Schweyener Mühle. Further mills follow, giving the cross-border cycle path its name. The way back from the circular route runs through the “Parr” (parish) in the Bliesgau Biosphere Reserve, a heavenly, peaceful farming landscape around the Bickenalb valley. The southern part of the Bliesgau biosphere is characterized by this typical gently undulating landscape and is simply a delight for the eye!
In summary, it can be said that there are more than 10 mills along the route of the tour, bearing witness to the miller's trade that was once important in this region. One of the highlights is undoubtedly the Mill and Saw Museum at the Eschweiler Mill in Volmunster. Here you can still see how grain and wood are processed using water power.
Autorentipp
There are opportunities to stop for refreshments in the pedestrian zone of Zweibrücken, at Hornbach Abbey and at a few other places along the route. Please check the opening times of the localities on the websites provided.
Wegbeschreibung
Follow the tour logo with the mill wheel and tower.
Tour route:
Start in Hornbach at the parking lot of the Pirminiushalle – continue along Bahnhofstraße to Lauerstraße – continue over the bridge into the center of Hornbach to Hauptstraße – uphill to the monastery district – continue past the town hall and the city gate – do not go straight ahead here, but continue to the right – turn right onto Mühlstraße slightly downhill – continue to the left towards Goffingsmühle into the French Valley of the Schwalb, a beautiful little stream – The paved dirt road leads into the D85 country road – continue to the Schweyener Mühle and continue to the right over the bridge back to Germany through the small district of Brenschelbach-Bahnhof – continue to the left into the small street “Am Bahnhof” in the direction of Blumenauer Mühle – continue to the right past the mill and continue on a former railroad embankment in the direction of France to the mill of Loutzviller - At the Eschweiler Mühle, turn left turn towards the mill building – continue to the right on the D85 country road (Rue du Moulin) towards Volmunster - at the entrance to the village, the mill of Volmunster is located on the right, which is now called Moulin Arnet - continue towards the center, past the church on Rue de Sigogne – then turn right towards Weiskirch on Rue de Sarreguemines (D34) - follow the road as it bends to the left - at the end of the village, the mill of Weiskirch is hidden on the right - continue along the main road (Rue de Hotviller) - at the end of the village, there is a slight ascent towards the D620 expressway - pass under the expressway and then let it roll - turn right towards Urbach on the D85B (Rue du Moulin) - after Urbach, the road with little traffic climbs towards Bettviller - continue on Rue de Tuillerie to the center of the village – then continue right on Rue Saint Martin and then immediately left towards the church, passing it on the right – the road leads into Rue des Alliés – after about 100 m, the road turns left – continue straight ahead and follow the path to the right to the fields – after about 700 m, go under the expressway to the right – after the underpass, and continue on the dirt road towards the village of Rimling - cycle into the village on Rue de l'Église and follow Grandrue to the right - continue on the next street left into Rue de Stade, past the sports field to Guiderkirch - turn right into Rue Principale onto the D84 (Rue de Deux Ponts) towards Peppenkum, which in Germany is called Landstraße L101 - in Peppenkum, keep to the right at the first fork in the road and then immediately turn right again towards Utweiler - cross the Bickealb and turn left at the Peppenkumer Mühle into Mühlenweg – beautiful view of the Bickenalbtal – continue to Blieskastel-Altheim and keep to the Riesweiler Weg and Brenschelbacher Straße on the left - the Obere Mühle is on the left – continue to Hornbacher Straße – cross the Bickenalb and continue past the sports field – immediately afterwards, turn left and continue past the Wallenbacher Hof – continue on the extended field path halfway up the valley, with the Untere Mühle mill down in the valley – continue to the K62 country road and follow it downhill to the L465 country road – follow the country road to the right towards Mittelbach – at the entrance to Mittel bach, go past the campsite and follow the main road (Altheimer Straße) through Mittelbach. At the end of the town, turn right onto the cycle path, cross the Hornbach and cycle through the Alte Nagelschmiede to the B424, then turn right and follow it. Before you reach Rimschweiler, turn right onto the cycle path and follow the former railway embankment to Hornbach. Once you arrive in Hornbach, cycle to your destination along Bahnhofstraße.
Source: Saarpfalz-Touristik
Ausrüstung
Fahrradhelm, Reparaturmaterial u.v.m. finden Sie in unserer Packliste auf der Internetseite.
Sicherheitshinweise
Two steep inclines are to be expected on the route. The round trip leads over paved and gravel paths.
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