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Soonwald: Pristine forests and natural habitats preserved
The Soonwald is one of the largest contiguous areas of forest in
Germany. Its altitude (400-600 m; the highest peak is Ellerspring at
657 m), its low population density, and its distance from the large
transportation routes of our time make it an ideal recreation area for
people seeking peace and quiet. This wooded area is well developed. It
has over 800 km of circular hiking paths with observation towers at the
most beautiful spots, which afford spectacular panoramas. You can hike
here for hours without ever meeting another human being, although
traces of more than two thousand years of human history can be found
everywhere.
There are, on the heights of mountain ridges, ancient Celtic hilltop forts,
surrounded by gigantic stone walls which easily exceed several hundred
meters in length; there are ancient Roman long-distance
roads, constructed some 2,000 years ago at a standardized width of
5 to 6 meters and protected by watchtowers at regular intervals;
and there are the remains of luxurious Roman villas.
In addition, we find medieval fortresses and castles from the glory days
of the political might of Sponheim and Kurtrier. And, there are
churches and monasteries in the architectural style typical of Hunsrück
with ingeniously painted surfaces and galleries; evidence of a very
special race of people, who despite difficult living conditions and
scant resources created their own works of art over hundreds of years.
A race of people who, incidentally, you still encounter today on the
farms of the elevated plains or in the village guest houses.
Photo: A warm summer day on the Wildburghöhe in the Soonwald
forest comes to an end.
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