Discover Sosberg: Geierlay, Hiking Trails and Local History

Several nearby hiking trails can be reached from Sosberg; the Geierlay also spans the valley between Sosberg and Mörsdorf. The suspension bridge is 360 meters long and 100 meters high. When planning a stay, both the walk to the bridge and other trails and historical details about the village are worth considering. The Geierlay can be crossed in both directions.

Route to the Geierlay and practical information

The designated hikers’ car park in Sosberg is located at Hauptstraße 28. It has sanitary facilities and charging stations for electric vehicles. A roughly 1.5-kilometer walk leads from the car park to the bridge; there is no direct road access by car to the Geierlay. Take this walk into account when planning your day and make your way to the car park.

Bicycles are allowed on the bridge but must be walked across. A narrow stroller can be taken across the Geierlay; dogs are allowed on a leash. Visitor rules may change, so check them before your trip. This lets you take the applicable conditions for bicycles, strollers or dogs into account in your plans.

The Geierlay opened on October 3, 2015. Its design was inspired by Nepalese suspension bridges. The name comes from the historical field name “Geierslay”; “Ley” means rock or cliff.

Hiking trails and a rest stop along the way

Nearby hiking trails accessible from Sosberg include the Masdascher Burgherrenweg, a connection to the Saar-Hunsrück-Steig, the Geierlay Loop, and the premium loops Altlayer-Schweiz and Layensteig Strimmiger Berg. The wider Hunsrück also offers a broader view of the trail network: the Saar-Hunsrück-Steig is connected to 111 “Traumschleifen” (Dream Loops) for full- and half-day hikes. This allows you to combine a visit to the Geierlay with choosing another named hiking route, without treating the trails as one continuous route.

The Giant Bench is located on the path between the visitor car park and the Geierlay. It is made from locally sourced Douglas fir; from there, the view extends to the Eifel and the bridge abutment. The spot is intended for a break, a picnic or photos. It offers a separate stop along the way that you can plan in addition to crossing the bridge.

Local history and coat of arms

The first recorded mention of Sosberg dates to 1330, under the name “Soysbergh.” Until 1781, the village was a “territory under three lords.” The Catholic Church of St. Matthias was built in 1769. These historical milestones give your visit a distinct connection to the village, alongside its hiking trails.

Sosberg’s coat of arms also brings together various historical references. The red cross on a silver field recalls the Electorate of Trier; the silver hunting horn represents the Lordship of Beilstein. A silver halberd refers to Saint Matthias, the church’s patron saint. The green central field represents the municipality’s agricultural character, while the silver-and-red chequerboard pattern stands for the County of Sponheim Hinterland. The individual coat-of-arms symbols can thus be read as references to different aspects of local history.

Discover more about the Geierlay

In Mörsdorf, the visitor center documents the planning and construction of the Geierlay and includes a museum café. Information boards on the path from Mörsdorf to the Geierlay cover renewable energy and climate protection. These stops add further topics related to the structure and the route to your bridge crossing.

Discover more destinations: Briedel, Altlay, Reidenhausen, Alf, Pünderich, Peterswald-Löffelscheid, Bullay, Haserich.

For the main travel overview: Zell.