Wow, it looks so high up and so long! Your gaze slowly wanders up from your feet, past the handlebars, deep down into the valley and over to the other side, some 360 metres away. This morning, you started on the Geierlay-Radrundweg cycle trail and you are now standing in front of the bridge over the Mörsdorfer Bachtal valley in the Hunsrück. Although you had read at home that the Geierlay suspension bridge swings some 100 metres above the ground, you suddenly go a little quiet at the prospect of taking your first step onto the wooden planks.
Those who dare to cross the bridge are rewarded with a fantastic view, Hunsrück
Fantastic view from the Geierlay suspension rope bridge, Hunsrück
You companion is already waiting fearlessly a couple of metres ahead of you. Her smile tells you that you need not be afraid and she gives you the impetus you need to get going. You need to push the bikes over the bridge, but you do not mind that at all. You manage the first few metres on the 85-cm-wide wooden planks slightly weak at the knees, but after a few steps your confidence in the stable structure and thick steel cables grows. There is barely a wisp of wind up here today and the bridge is barely moving, so you can enjoy the view down into the dense canopy of the valley in peace.
You actually start to enjoy the next 100 metres. You are a little bit proud of the two of you and you ask one of the walkers coming in the opposite direction to take a picture of you half-way across the bridge. Then you carry on, and by the time you have crossed the whole of the valley, you feel really safe on your feet, although there is still a little adrenaline rushing through your veins. You leave the bridge and the first step onto solid ground feels a little odd for a moment. Then you collapse on a bench by the wayside with a sigh of satisfaction and take a deep gulp out of your flask.
Short break on a cycle tour around the Geierlay, Hunsrück
Sunset at Kastellaun Castle, Hunsrück
After a short break and a lively exchange with your companion, you are in the best of spirits as you climb back onto your bike and start following the trail towards the town of Kastellaun, where you are hoping to explore a little this afternoon. The historic old town with its medieval castle ruins is said to be very much worth seeing, and the Regional History Museum with its cultural and historical attractions has got to be worth a visit. You are staying in Kastellaun so you have plenty of time and are looking forward to an interesting evening in the castle town!
