Wäller Tour Greifenstein Loop - Stage 1 - Herborn

Description

We set off from Herborn. For the first few meters through the green valley of the lively Dill River, the soundscape is still urban, but that soon changes. At the latest after the successful ascent to the Katzenstein, one notices: silence reigns. The Greifenstein loop leads through a shady forest into the lovely Fleisbach Valley, which invites you to a leisurely picnic with its green meadows and rippling water. After a pleasantly steady climb, the view turns to Greifenstein, which is reached after another climb past the sports field. The imposing Greifenstein castle ruins are the impressive highlight of the first stage of the Greifenstein loop. An approximately 1.2 km long circular trail (marked in yellow) leads through the village to the castle, which invites you to visit for a small fee (4 euros per adult, as of 2014). An unusual stop in the castle vault with selected dishes and, above all, plenty of refreshing drinks should also be welcome. After climbing the castle's windy bell tower, marveling at the world of bells and discovering every corner of the winding castle ruins, the tour continues. Through dense forest and along lively paths, you reach a refuge high above the Ulmbach reservoir. Time for an extensive rest. With renewed vigor, we continue downhill into the Ulmbach valley. Along the peacefully rippling Ulmbach, the Greifenstein loop reaches the dam of the 600 x 90 to 180 m large reservoir a short time later. The trail leads directly over the 16 m high earthfill dam. On hot days a refreshing bath is offered here. Then the Greifenstein loop leads up towards Christköppelchen, the stage ends shortly before it. The short access road leads into beautiful Beilstein.

Brief description

From Herborn, the 1st stage of the loop leads through the romantic Fleisbach valley, past the Greifenstein castle ruins that give the trail its name and the Ulmbach dam.

Public transport

Stop Wellenbad/Fachmarktzentrum, Herborn (www.bahn.de)

Parking

Gasthaus Brauerei & Hotel Gutshof

Im Gutshof 1 / Austrasse 81a

35745 Herborn

Safety instructions

• Wear sturdy shoes and appropriate clothing that is suitable for the weather and protects you from the cold and wet or the heat and sun.Take enough liquid with you.
• Please wear hiking shoes appropriate for the trail, which give you sufficient grip even on slippery and steep or rocky and uneven paths.
• If you feel that certain sections of the trail are not passable for you, you should avoid them.
• Especially in adverse weather conditions, muddy and slippery passages can occur on natural trails.Especially in the fall, also be aware that leaves lying on the ground can hide bumps, roots, rocks or holes in the path.
• You should expect trail obstructions of this nature when you go on a hike.Although the trail is very well marked throughout, you should always have a suitable trail map with you for safety reasons.

Tips

A detour to Greifenstein Castle and the world of bells with a small café. At the Ulmbachtalsperre I can refresh myself with a bath in summer.

Literature

Hiking map-Leporello Wäller Touren, GPS-accurate hiking map with excursion destinations, refreshment & leisure tips, street names and elevation profiles, map size (W x H): 20 map pages à 18 x 20 cm, 9 red. Pages, 6,95 € - You can get the hiking map and the hiking book in the Westerwald-Shop at www.westerwald-shop.info!