Gansweg in Bad Münster: Is the reopening coming after ten years?

Gansweg in Bad Münster: Is the reopening coming after ten years?

The Gansweg in Bad Münster am Stein could soon be passable again - after a ten-year dry spell. What began just this decade ago is a story about a devastating rockslide. Back then, in the summer of 2015, a massive boulder fell from the Rheingrafenstein and not only took the hiking trail with it, but also the rockfall protection at the time. Since then, the popular hiking trail has been completely closed, resulting in a significant decline in tourism in the region. But there is light at the end of the tunnel, as Antenne KH reports.

During an on-site meeting, Mayor Emanuel Letz emphasized the urgency of reopening the Gansweg. At his side were Transport Minister Daniela Schmitt, Dr. Helmut Martin and representatives of the city administration. Together they walked the route from the ferry pier to the Huttental and discussed the important role of this hiking trail. “The Gansweg is an important tourism component for the region,” says Letz.

Overcome obstacles

The Gansweg could soon become an idyllic place for hikers again, but the hurdles should not be underestimated. Extensive security measures are necessary to reopen the path. However, the city is struggling with financial constraints that have so far hampered many attempts at restoration. Minister Schmitt also showed understanding for the situation and was open to discussions about solutions. A new ruling by the Federal Court of Justice, made on September 21, 2023, could cast the reopening of the trail in a new light. It concerns the planning of hiking trails and could have an influence on future projects, as the [Rhein-Zeitung](https://www.rhein-zeitung.de/lokales/oeffentlicher-anzeiger/wegen-felsjagd-gesperrt-kann-der-gans-weg-in-bad-muenster-wieder-geoeffnet- Werden_arid-2609723.html) reports.

At least like-minded people who suffered from the rockslide can now find ways to support each other. This could give the city new impetus to finally restore the Gansweg to its original condition. Everyone involved seems to have a good hand, so that tourists and locals can look forward to future use.

Climate change in mind

But it's not just in Bad Münster that nature makes its moods clear. The consequences of climate change are also being felt elsewhere in Europe. Current reports about impending rockslides, such as in the canton of Valais in Switzerland, show that slope movements are also increasing in this region. Professor Michael Krautblatter points out that warming permafrost is an overarching problem that also affects the stability of difficult terrain. We recently saw similar spectator scenarios at Hochvogel in Bavaria, where more and more cracks are becoming visible in the mountains. The question hanging over all of this is: How safe are our hiking trails?

The revival of the Gansweg could not only mean a return to nature for the people of Bad Münster, but at the same time a reminder to everyone to take nature seriously and to monitor developments both locally and globally. If a rock starts to slip somewhere, it could turn out to be a harbinger of a broader problem that affects hikers and nature lovers alike. So let's stay tuned to see whether the Gansweg will actually be inviting to walkers and hikers again soon.