Saarland, the smallest federal state in Germany, situated on the border of Germany and France, offers more than just a unique historical perspective.
Unlike most regions in Germany, Saarland is a state where one-third of its land mass is covered by forests, rivers and mountains.
The mystical forest of Saarland opens the doors to a realm where the sunlight gliding through the trees falls onto the earth in the form of a luminescent waterfall.
The only way to bask in this seemingly endless waterfall is to take a hike through the forest.
There are several activities you can indulge in during your stay in Saarland.
The Hiking Trails The hiking trails offer a spiritual and rejuvenating experience.
Some hiking trails lead into the forest while others will take you on a cultural pilgrimage.
The Wendelinus loop way is an easy 5-mile cultural trail that starts from the Wendelinus Basilica and takes you through the winding streets of culture entwined with history.
Some of the places you will come across include Wendelinus fountain, Steyler missionary house, and St Wendel.
The Way of St James is another interesting cultural and historical hike that passes along the Saar and Moselle rivers and will take you to Merzkirchen, which offers awe-inspiring views of the Saar valley and the upper regions of the Moselle.
This hiking trail ends at the wine village of Perl.
For the adventurous among you, several hiking trails through narrow winding paths take you to the Saar Bow, Perl, Trier and Idar-Oberstein.
In fact, the Saar-Hunsrück-Steig hiking trail was voted the most beautiful trail of Germany in 2009.
This is a long 218 km trail that can be completed in different stages - Perl - Hellendorf (16.
9 km) or Kempfeld - Idar-Oberstein (14.
8 km).
The prime attraction on this hike is the spectacular view of the River Saar Bow seen from Cloef.
Some of the other attractions include the Ruwer valley vineyards, the Grimburg Castle, the Ollberg hills, mysterious forests, and Upland Moor of Morbach, among others.
At the end of the trail, you can take home some memorabilia in the form of famous gemstones of Idar-Oberstein.
The Biking Trails One of the best ways to discover the all that Saarland has on offer is through biking.
One of the most relaxing and promising trails is the Saar- Bostal Lake biking route.
Starting from the town of Rehlingen-Siersburg and passing through idyllic villages, you will reach the Schaumberg Mountain, which offers breathtaking scenery.
The villages of Tholey and Theley provide an outer worldly charm to tired bikers and much-needed relaxation for the final leg.
This biking trail ends with the most magnificent view of the three lakes, which include the artificial Lake Losheim, Lake Bostalsee, and Primstalsperre Dam Lake.
Another popular biking trail in Saarland takes you around the various important historical areas and through the wilderness of the state.
Some of the interesting points and experiences on this trail include the historical and cultural tour of St Wendel and Saarbrücken, the rolling landscapes of the Saargau region, the silent mystique of the Black Forest Hochwald, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Völklinger Hütte.
You can also try the biking trail that takes you through other interesting places in the region, including the fortress town of Saarlouis, the Wolf Park at Merzig, and the Ceramic Heaven of Villeroy & Boch.
In a world where cities and towns have been formed around or in proximity to forests, the story of Saarland remains different, with its splendid forests, mountains and rivers opening opportunities for adventures galore in an awe-inspiring setting.