The Cloef (French la clœf) is a rocky viewing point around 180 m high above the Saar at the top of the Saar loop in the Mettlach district of Orscholz, where a protruding rock formation made of Taunus quartzite extends down to the Saar and in earlier times represented an obstacle to shipping. The meaning of the word “Cloef” goes back to the Celtic language and means something like “steep rocky valley, cliff”.
As a striking, eye-catching rock formation, the Saar loop with the Cloef has been a national geotope since 2006 and is particularly worthy of protection due to its special geological significance, rarity, peculiarity and aesthetics.
About 500 m away is the “Kleine Cloef”, which also offers an impressive view of the Saar loop.
The Cloef is also the starting point for many hikes. A charming path is the Cloef path through the Steinbachtal down to the Saar. And if you want to explore the Saar loop, Montclair Castle and the town of Mettlach on foot and taste the region's regional products, we recommend the Saar loop table tour, the first Saarland certified culinary trail “RegionalGenuss”.
Down in the valley, the only ferry that operates on the Saar and in Saarland is the “Welles” ferry. There are also excursion boats in the Saar loop. From the deck of these ships you can view the Saar loop from a different perspective.
