Forest Hollow Way Trail

The following is written on the sign:
In earlier times the Gau was covered by large forests. Since the Middle Ages, many forests have been reduced through agricultural use. With around 64 hectares, only around 15% of the Gisinger district is now forested. For many centuries, wood was the only source of energy for heating and cooking and was also used as a building material. During the construction of the Saarlouis Fortress (1680 to 1686), the forests of the Limberg and the forests of Geisingen above the Wallerfanger “Mookenloch” were sacrificed. In 1703, further large areas of forest in Gisingen were felled as part of a large felling campaign. During the later partial reforestation, forest areas were specially marked: some forest edges were given a ditch and a protective wall on which wind-resistant trees such as hornbeams and oaks were planted to protect the inner plantings. On the other hand, these ramparts also clearly indicated the restrictions on use: the “Bannholz” (Bann = area forbidden for general use; wood = forest) that was demarcated in this way was additionally marked with boundary stones in Prussian times. On the one hand, during the Second World War, they suffered from the effects of war, and on the other hand, after the war, part of the forest area was felled by the French occupying forces as reparations - but the old trees on the hollow path were spared.
Source: Wolfgang Krämer: “Gisingen – our village and its history”At this point you can see the “Bannstein”, which stands on the path and is hardly noticeable unless you know its meaning. If you know, you can also recognize the wall and the ditch that lead to or from the Schindwasen. I only noticed it after reading the sign and I'm still impressed by what there is to see if you know what to look for.