Westerwald-Steig Stage 4: Rennerod - Westerburg (East - West)

Description

The trail passes right by the Secker Weiher lakes, which lie between Rennerod and Westerburg. On the banks of the largest lake there is a campsite with restaurant. The main attraction of this stage of the trail is the Holzbach gorge, which begins near the Dappricher Hof café near Seck. The gorge is about one kilometre long and almost 20 metres deep. Broken up basalt boulders and fallen trees give the narrow valley its wild and romantic character.

Brief description

This stage of the trail through the High Westerwald passes the Seitenstein and the Secker Weiher lakes. The highlight is the wild, romantic Holzbach gorge near Seck.

Approach

From the south and north: via the B54 to the Rennerod exit
From the east and west: via the B255 to the Rennerod exit

Public transport

Train to ICE station at Montabaur and bus to Rennerod bus station; bus no. 116
Return journey from Westerburg to Rennerod: bus no. 116
www.bahn.de
www.rmv-bus.de

Parking

Rennerod, on Bahnhofsstraße or Friedhofsweg

Directions

Rennerod lies in the sheltered south-sloping Holzbach Valley. The Westerwald-Steig trail continues as far as the town. After about 2 kilometres we reach the Seitenstein, a 20m high basalt formation in the middle of the forest, and information boards which recount an exciting local legend. Forest paths lead to the Secker Weiher lakes, which were created in 1672 by Prince Moritz Heinrich von Nassau-Hadamar near a small hunting lodge. The largest lake is 20 hectares in size and has a campsite with restaurant. The highlight of this stage of the trail is the Holzbach gorge, which begins near the Dappricher Hof café near Seck. The River Holzbach, a tributary of the Elbbach, has carved a deep gorge in the basalt rock before it continues on past Gemünden on its way to Hesse. The gorge is about one kilometre long and almost 20 metres deep. Broken up basalt boulders and fallen trees give the narrow valley its wild and romantic character. Information panels along the trail help you to identify some of the plants and animals found in the gorge. Gentle hills, extensive deciduous forests and wide grassy valleys characterise the area around Westerburg. The trail passes a campsite and the 'Zum Katzenstein' restaurant and continues on narrow paths through the forest to the Katzenstein, a flat basalt rock. There is a monument here commemorating the ethnic Germans who were expelled from former German territories in the east, as well as a wonderful view of Westerburg and the Taunus. We soon reach the eastern outskirts of Westerburg, where this stage of the trail ends, and can easily find our way into the town centre.
Access paths (marking: green W on a yellow background)

Safety instructions

Wear sturdy shoes and appropriate, weatherproof clothing that protects you from cold and wet or heat and sun.Take enough liquid with you. There are not always places to stop for refreshments.Please wear walking shoes appropriate for the trail, which will give you sufficient grip even on slippery and steep or rocky and uneven paths.If you are of the opinion that certain sections of the trail are not passable for you, then you should avoid them. Especially in adverse weather conditions, muddy and slippery passages can occur on natural paths.Especially in autumn, you should also be aware that leaves lying on the ground can hide uneven surfaces, roots, stones or holes in the path. You must expect path impairments of this kind when you undertake a hike.Although the trail is very well marked throughout, you should always have a suitable hiking map with you for safety reasons.

Equipment

Hiking boots/shoes
Suitable weatherproof clothing

Tips

For families with children: Holzbach gorge with educational nature trail

Literature

- Wanderkarte-Leporello Westerwald-Steig, hiking map with GPS data and tips for day trips, rest stops and leisure activities, map size (w x h): 18 x 20 cm, 39 pages in total, including 29 pages of maps, ISBN 978-3-89920-461-2, €8.95 - Official WesterWaldSteig trail map for hikers and holidaymakers, 1:50 000 scale map, LVermGeo Rheinland-Pfalz, ISBN 978-3-89637-406-6, €8.50

Destination

Westerburg

Starting Point

Rennerod