Day trip · Saarland, Germany
The most beautiful view you've never heard of, one hour from your apartment
You step up to the edge of the rock and go quiet. Far below, an entire river turns back on itself, like a ribbon dropped into an endless forest.
This is the Saarschleife, the Saar Loop. In Germany it's the postcard image of a whole region. In Lorraine, hardly anyone talks about it. Yet it's only about an hour from our apartments.
What is the Saarschleife?
Near Mettlach, in Saarland, the river runs into a ridge of hard quartzite. Instead of cutting straight through, it swings into a huge horseshoe: a detour of about 10 kilometres, while the start and end of the loop are only about 2 kilometres apart as the crow flies.
All around rise the wooded hills of the Saar-Hunsrück Nature Park: beech, oak, hornbeam, even holly, which thrives here thanks to the valley's mild climate. Since 2006 the loop has been listed as a National Geotope in Germany.
Saarland's own tourism board puts it simply: no landmark stands for the region more than the Saarschleife.
Cloef viewpoint: the iconic view
A balcony 180 metres above the Saar
The most famous viewpoint is the Cloef, in Orscholz, a village belonging to Mettlach. A rocky spur, a terrace, a shelter, some benches. And in front of you, 180 metres below, the Saar curling around.
The name may come from the Latin clivus, "slope", or from a Celtic root meaning a rocky valley. The spot has drawn famous visitors: Prussian King Frederick William IV in 1856 and, in 2006, Jacques Chirac, Angela Merkel and Polish President Lech Kaczyński, who met here for a summit.
Good news: the Cloef viewpoint is free to visit.
Photo tip
Come early. On cool mornings, mist often clings to the valley floor and the loop slowly appears, like a stage set being revealed. In autumn the forest turns orange and copper: arguably the best season for photos.
Baumwipfelpfad Saarschleife: the treetop walk
A trail through the treetops
Right next to the Cloef, the Baumwipfelpfad Saarschleife (Saarschleife Treetop Walk), opened in July 2016, is a 1,250-metre elevated trail winding through the beech crowns, up to 23 metres above the ground.
Then comes the highlight: a 42-metre lookout tower. You climb a spiral ramp, no stairs, to a platform 407 metres above sea level. The 360° view takes in the Saar Loop, the nature park and, on very clear days, the Vosges mountains.
Great for kids, prams and wheelchairs
The whole trail is barrier-free: maximum gradient 6%, suitable for wheelchairs and prams. Kids love the swaying bridge and the slide, and learning stations explain quartzite, beech forests and deadwood.
Practical info. The trail is open all year, even in the rain. It only closes for thunderstorms, hail, storms or ice. Dogs aren't allowed, except assistance dogs. Admission is charged: check hours and prices on the official website treetop-walks.com (Saarschleife).
Hiking: the Traumschleife Cloefpfad
For walkers, the Traumschleife Cloefpfad is a loop of about 8 km (allow 3.5 hours) starting at the Cloef-Atrium, which also houses the tourist office.
Along the way: the viewpoint, the descent to the river, the wild Steinbachtal gorge with its mossy boulders, and views of the ruins of Montclair Castle, first recorded in 1168. Heads-up: the climb back up from the Saar is roughly 200 metres of ascent, so wear proper shoes.
Mettlach and Villeroy & Boch: the porcelain abbey
A story that starts… in Lorraine
Here's something few visitors know. Villeroy & Boch, the ceramics giant, was born in 1748 in Audun-le-Tiche, in Moselle, when François Boch started making earthenware there. The family later bought a former Benedictine abbey in Mettlach, its headquarters since 1809. In 1836, the merger with Nicolas Villeroy created the brand we know today.
What to see at the Alte Abtei in Mettlach
On the banks of the Saar, the Alte Abtei (Old Abbey) is a three-winged baroque palace. Inside and around it:
- the Keramikmuseum (ceramics museum), with a wall of 3,000 tile patterns from the 19th and 20th centuries and the Boch family's historic living room;
- the Alter Turm, an octagonal tower over 1,000 years old, described as the oldest religious building in the Greater Region;
- the abbey park, with rare trees, a fountain given by the Prussian Crown Prince in 1833 and the Erdgeist, a 14-metre sculpture by André Heller;
- a visitor centre with factory outlet and showroom.
Hours and prices: see the official Villeroy & Boch website (Erlebniszentrum Alte Abtei section).
Saarschleife from Thionville: how long is the drive?
Mettlach is about 50 km from Thionville, roughly 50 minutes by car. From our apartments, allow about 1 hour from Hayange, a little less from Hettange-Grande. Bring your ID: you'll be crossing into Germany.
Our plan for a day at the Saarschleife
| When | Stop |
|---|---|
| Early morning | Cloef viewpoint, mist over the loop |
| Morning | Treetop walk and its 42 m tower |
| Midday | Picnic or break in Orscholz |
| Afternoon | Mettlach: Alte Abtei, ceramics museum, park |
| Evening | Back to Lorraine, about 1 hour |
Feeling sporty? Swap the treetop walk for the Cloefpfad hike in the morning and keep Mettlach for the afternoon.
For a second day around the borders, try the Malbrouck and Sierck castles, Schengen and Rodemack, or Luxembourg City.
Where to stay to visit the Saarschleife
The Saar Loop is an easy day trip from Moselle. Our 10 apartments, 7 in Hayange and 3 in Hettange-Grande, let you combine Saarland, Luxembourg and Lorraine without switching accommodation.
From 2 to 12 guests depending on the apartment, separate beds, a fully equipped kitchen to pack tomorrow's picnic, Wi-Fi, Smart TV, Nespresso machine and washing machine. Bed linen and towels included, self check-in, WhatsApp support. Since 2020, more than 700 guests have reviewed us on Airbnb and Booking.com.
Booking directly on our site is about 5% cheaper than on Airbnb and Booking, whatever the length of stay. See the apartments and book.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Saarschleife viewpoint?
The Cloef viewpoint is in Orscholz, part of Mettlach, in Saarland (Germany). It stands 180 metres above the loop.
Is the Cloef viewpoint free?
Yes, the viewpoint is free. Only the treetop walk (trail and tower) charges admission.
Is the treetop walk suitable for prams?
Yes. The trail and tower have no steps and a maximum gradient of 6%, so they work for prams and wheelchairs.
When is the best time to see the Saarschleife?
Any time of year. Autumn brings the most spectacular colours, and cool mornings often fill the valley with beautiful mist.
How far is it from Thionville?
About 50 minutes by car, roughly 50 km. Allow about 1 hour from Hayange.