Wäller Route Hohe Hahnscheid - Irmtraut

Description

The Wäller Route in the upper Westerwald offers an attractive landscape combined with historical and geological features and charming distant views. Places of Christian faith that invite to inner reflection also give the hiking trail the name "path of contemplation."

The circular route, awarded as a Quality Trail by Wanderbares Deutschland in the category "dream route," leads around the Hohe Hahnscheid (433 m), which lies in the Westerwald on the border of Rhineland-Palatinate to Hesse and is surrounded by the villages of Irmtraut, Gemünden, Langendernbach, and Seck.

There are 23 interesting stops with information boards along the 10.6 km long circular hiking trail. These boards invite you to read and, by means of a QR code, reveal further interesting details.

Approach

From the south or north via the B54, from the east or west via the B255 to the Rennerod exit and then continue via the B54 to Irmtraut.

Public transport

Train to the ICE station Limburg and bus from Limburg bus station to Irmtraut with bus line LM15 or train to the ICE station Montabaur and bus to Rennerod bus station with bus line 116 and then continue with LM15 to Irmtraut, www.bahn.de.

Parking

At the church in 56479 Irmtraut.

Directions

The hike starts at the church square in Irmtraut. From there, follow the marking of the Wäller Route "Hohe Hahnscheid." Passing the cemetery cross, which stands in extension of the cemetery's main entrance between two old linden trees, you proceed over meadow passages into the natural forest of the local community of Irmtraut. The first highlight of the route is the "Hessenblick." The viewpoint "Hessenblick" owes its name to its location on the state border between Rhineland-Palatinate and Hesse, which runs only about 250 m downhill. From the upper slope of the 433 m high basalt summit of the Hohe Hahnscheid, you have a beautiful view to the south into the wide valley basin of the Elbbach, which already lies in Hesse. Continue following the marking and after about 5 km, you will hear the babbling of the Holzbach. Now, the highlight of the route, the Holzbach Gorge, is not far. On a narrow path, you hike part of the route on the track of the WesterwaldSteig towards the Dapprich estate. At the exit of the Holzbach Gorge, you will find an absolute rarity: the private cemetery of the Schneider family, owners of the Dapprich estate. In the estate café, you still have the opportunity to refresh yourself before continuing towards Seck. Then, you climb high to the panoramic platform of the St. Michael-Josef Chapel. Over wide meadow passages, passing the Irmtraut Cross, you reach the starting point of the hike again.

Safety instructions

• Sturdy footwear
• Weather-appropriate and practical clothing

Equipment

• Sturdy footwear
• Bring sufficient provisions as there are only few opportunities to stop for food along the route.

Tips

Fancy a little snack? The "Sonnenhof" is located very close to the path and features a 24/7 vending machine with regional delicacies.

Literature

Fold-out hiking map Wäller Routes, GPS-precise hiking map with excursion destinations, dining & leisure tips, street names, and elevation profiles, map size (W x H): 20 map pages each 18 x 20 cm, 9 reduced pages, €6.95 - You can get the hiking map and the guidebook at the Westerwald-Shop at www.westerwald-shop.info!

Destination

Church in 56479 Irmtraut

Starting Point

Church in 56479 Irmtraut