Wäller Tour Stöffel Route

Description

25 million years ago, a volcanic eruption covered a maar lake with glowing hot lava. This solidified into basalt. The habitat of the lake was conserved in the process. The volcanic rock is excellently suited as a building material, especially for road and railway construction. Industrial mining began in the 20th century. The basalt is still exported to numerous countries in Europe today. Due to the mining, the Tertiary lake deposits are partially exposed again, making Stöffel an important fossil site.

The Wäller Tour and GeoRoute Tertiary - Industry - Experience Stöffel Route trace the path of basalt. Stöffel Park with the TERTIÄRUM, the GeoView Stöffel Tower, and the Erbacher Railway Bridge are the highlights. Numerous GeoStations explain the path from the volcanic formation of basalt to the noble gravel for road construction. Basti Basalt tells children about the world of quarries at many audio stations.

Approach

Stöffel Park is signposted from State Road 281 with tourist signs.

Public transport

The Nistertal-Bad Marienberg train station can also be reached from Au an der Sieg or Limburg on weekends. A signposted access path leads from here to the GeoRoute.

Parking

There are sufficient parking spaces available at Stöffel Park.

Additional parking spaces can be used at the Götzenberg Hall in Stockum-Püschen. You can reach this via the signs to Stöffel Tower.

Directions

The hiking trail begins at the info box at the entrance to the Stöffel Park. Those who want to visit the museum in addition to the hike can purchase a day ticket here. The hike across the grounds is free of charge.

The route first leads past the eagle owl enclosure to the Stöffel Lake. Here, a GeoStation provides information about the excavation house and the fossil excavations, which can be viewed today in the TERTIÄRUM. Through the Art Garden, follow the markings back to Stöffel. Under the tall conveyor belts, the hiking trail now leads into the forests around Stöffel. From Büdingen, the moderate ascent begins up to Stockum-Püschen. Here are four GeoStations of the Basalt Mile. On huge machine parts, the path from the basalt block to the gravel is explained.

At the top, the GeoView Stöffel Tower offers a wide view of the active quarry and the region. From here, it goes to the Götzenberg. A small GeoStation at the summit cross explains the presumed eruption site of the Stöffel volcano. From the basalt hill, the path now leads down into the valley of the Nister. Shortly before the Hardt mill, another GeoStation describes basalt mining near Bad Marienberg.

At the meeting point with the WesterwaldSteig, another highlight awaits hikers. The 70-meter-high Erbacher Railway Bridge is a symbol of the efforts made for the raw material transport in the Westerwald.

Near Nistertal, the hiking trail leads back to Büdingen, passing the Nister bridge. From here, the same route is followed back into the Stöffel Park. At the end of the circular hike, the Stöffel Park and the TERTIÄRUM invite you to visit.

In 2025, this route was certified as "Qualitätsweg Wanderbares Deutschland - Discovery Tour" and as the first hiking trail in Germany as "Leading Quality Trail best of Europe - Day Walk".

Safety instructions

The hiking trail is a discovery tour and includes footpath sections. Entry to the active quarry area is prohibited. Please do not climb over fences.

Equipment

Sturdy footwear.

Tips

The TERTIÄRUM with spectacular fossils is worth a visit! You can pay the entrance fee at the info box and then visit all museum rooms.

Destination

GeoInformation Center Stöffel Park at the info box

Starting Point

GeoInformation Center Stöffel Park at the info box