Plizio Visual Lab

Warndt

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Forest

Weather…

The Warndt is a cross-border forest landscape covering approximately 5,000 hectares between the German state of Saarland and the French region of Lorraine. Geologically, the area is characterized by Bunter sandstone, which forms a prominent plateau deeply incised by numerous stream valleys. Historically, the Warndt served as a significant hunting ground for the Counts of Nassau-Saarbrücken since the Middle Ages, before evolving into a hub for the glass and iron industries during the 17th and 18th centuries. The abundant timber resources and later coal deposits facilitated early industrial growth, traces of which remain visible in the form of industrial relics and unique settlement patterns. Today, the area is designated as a European bird sanctuary, providing a vital habitat for rare species such as the black stork and various bat populations. For the residents of the surrounding industrial urban areas, the Warndt features essential recreational space with an extensive network of hiking and cycling trails. Modern forestry management follows ecological standards to ensure the long-term preservation of its character as a near-natural mixed woodland.

Location: Saarland, Germany
Top sights: NSG Eulenmühle / Welschwies · Nonnenwies / Distelwies · St. Medardus Neuforweiler
Nearby: Saarlouis (5 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	0	1	4	9	13	17	19	18	14	9	5	1
Rain mm	74	61	62	47	75	69	69	75	57	68	73	89

📋 Practical info

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Getting there

Straddling the green German-French border, the expansive region can be easily entered from the Saarland side via connected towns like Völklingen or Ludweiler, which offer numerous clearly marked trailheads.

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Best season

Hiking and cycling are generally most enjoyable from April through October, when the extensive mixed forests provide plenty of pleasant, cooling shade and the wide forest tracks are reliably dry and firm.

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Terrain & paths

The diverse area features gently rolling, wooded hills, historically fascinating former mining landscapes completely reclaimed by nature, and a vast network of broad forest roads mixed with narrower, sandy paths.

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What to bring

Sturdy walking shoes or a reliable mountain bike are strongly recommended depending on your chosen activity; always carry sufficient drinking water, as tourist amenities deep within the cross-border forest are very scarce.

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Parking

Several officially designated hiking parking lots are conveniently located along the main roads on the German side, often featuring detailed information boards detailing the various cross-border, circular loop trails.

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Safety

The border area is extremely safe for general outdoor recreation; however, active, large-scale forestry work occasionally takes place, so visitors must strictly respect temporary trail closures and heavy machinery warnings.

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Time needed

A typical, enjoyable visit generally lasts somewhere between two to four hours for a moderately paced circular hike or a comprehensive, adventurous mountain bike tour exploring the peaceful, deeply historical landscape.

Geography

Coordinates

49.27000, 6.75000

Facts

The total area of the forest landscape covers approximately 5,000 hectares.
The Warndt is situated at an elevation between 200 and 380 meters above sea level.
In the 17th century, Huguenots settled in the area and established glassworks.
The region has been registered as a European bird sanctuary since 2004.
The highest point in the German section is the Schachtberg at 378 meters.
Coal mining in the Warndt officially ended in 2005 with the closure of the Warndt mine.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Saarlouis5 km · NExplore →

Saar7 km · NExplore →

Ford Plant Saarlouis7 km · NExplore →

Völklinger Hütte7 km · EExplore →

📍Creutzwald8 km · SWExplore →

Dillinger Hütte9 km · NExplore →

📍Püttlingen10 km · EExplore →

📍Dillingen10 km · NExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Start Destination Via (optional)

Overnight stops

Vehicle

Only stops with (optional): 💧 Water ♻️ Disposal 🔌 Power 🚻 Toilets 🚿 Shower

Sights in the town Warndt (5)

NSG Eulenmühle / Welschwies

Protected area in the Warndt, safeguarding wetlands and rare species.

Nonnenwies / Distelwies

Protected area in the Warndt, preserving species-rich meadows and hedges.

St. Medardus Neuforweiler

Parish church in Neuforweiler, a Catholic building with a bell tower.

NSG Neuforweiler Weiherbachtal

Protected area in the Warndt, covering the Weiherbachtal valley and ponds.

Parkbad Wadgassen

Outdoor swimming pool in Wadgassen, with several pools and a diving board.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What is the Warndt?

The Warndt is a vast continuous forest area located between Saarland and France.

What role did the forest play for the nobility in the past?

For centuries, it served as a grand hunting ground for the Princes of Nassau-Saarbrücken.

Are there any special natural monuments in the Warndt?

The Teufelsburg near Überherrn is a striking rock formation and a popular hiking destination in the forest.

Can industrial culture be experienced in the Warndt?

The Karlsbrunn hunting lodge and mining remains demonstrate the close link between the forest and industry.

Are there cross-border hiking trails?

Yes, many paths cross unnoticed over the 'green border' into Lorraine (France).

Warndt: where is it located?

Warndt is located in Saarland, Germany.

Warndt: what is there to see?

Highlights include NSG Eulenmühle / Welschwies, Nonnenwies / Distelwies, St. Medardus Neuforweiler.

Warndt: when is the best time to visit?

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.

Warndt: why is it worth visiting?

The Warndt is a cross-border forest landscape covering approximately 5,000 hectares between the German state of Saarland and the French region of Lorraine.

View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →