WesterwaldSteig 06th stage Freilingen - Nistertal (East-West)

Description

Passing the Post, Brinken, and Dreifelder Weiher, you will cross three of the seven ponds of the Westerwald lake district nature paradise. While hiking, you can leisurely gaze over the calming blue water before you follow the Wied upstream to its source near Linden. Spectacular views await you from the lookout tower at Gräbersberg, featuring one of the tour's special attractions. Things get almost mystical - at the legendary Welterstein (a basalt rock 480 m high), the Heinzelmännchen are said to have gotten up to colorful mischief. The stage ends at Stöffel Park with its backdrop, where you can discover fossils in the museum, among other things.

Approach

via the B255 or B413 to the Freilingen exit and then continue on the B8 to the Postweiher near Freilingen

Public transport

Public transport directions

Train to Montabaur ICE station, then by bus line 463 to Freilingen, Wölferlinger Str.

www.bahn.de
www.vrminfo.de

Back to stage start

Unfortunately, there is no bus connection between Freilingen and Nistertal, so return by taxi is recommended.

Taxi recommendations:

Hehn-Touristik, Alpenrod, Tel. 02662/3366
Taxi Hetzler, Selters, Tel. 02626/6445

Day hike from station to station:

Via the access route from Rotenhain station to Linden, from there to Nistertal on the WesterwaldSteig, and over the access route towards Nistertal-Bad Marienberg station (total length: approx. 10 miles).

Here are more hiking route tips with bus and train connections.

Parking

Freilingen: Hiking car park opposite the Freilingen campsite, Postweiher, 56244 Freilingen (directly on the B8); entry to the WesterwaldSteig on the opposite side (right past the Postweiher)
Nistertal: Train station

Directions

Shortly after the start, you reach the Dreifelder Weiher, which is crossed by the Wied, the largest river in the Westerwald. The entire area of the lake district enjoys landscape protection. In Dreifelden stand the oldest stone church of the Westerwald and the magnificent Peace Oak. Along the Wied, a short section of the Wiedweg accompanies you until you reach the source of the Wied near Linden, where tables and benches invite you to rest. Later, you pass through magnificent beech forest over the Große Weiße Stein to the Gräbersberg. There, in addition to a place to stop at the rustic Alpenroder Hut, you have a wide panoramic view from the lookout tower.

You then continue with beautiful views to the legendary Welterstein and the Monsberg. A treasure chamber of a special kind awaits you in Enspel, the Tertiary and Industrial Experience Park Stöffel. In the deposits of a maar lake, you can trace 25 million years of earth history. A unique industrial ensemble documents the 100-year history of basalt mining and shows the processing of the rock. In the blacksmith's shop over 100 years old, there is the "Historic Workshop," which takes you on a journey into industrial history and provides insights into the hard working world of bygone times. After the detour to the Stöffel mouse, the best-known find from prehistoric times, you reach the end point of the stage just past a small chapel and the Nister. From here, it is about 0.6 miles to Nistertal-Erbach with train station, gastronomy, and accommodation options.

Access routes (Marking: green W on yellow background):

• From Linden to Rotenhain (approx. 1.1 miles) and to Rotenhain train station (approx. 1.8 miles)
• From the western edge of Enspel to the train stop (approx. 0.25 miles)
• From the Nister to Nistertal and to Nistertal/Bad Marienberg train station (approx. 0.7 miles)

Safety instructions

If you think certain sections of the trail are impassable for you, you should bypass them. Especially in adverse weather, natural trails can have muddy and slippery passages.

In autumn, particular attention should be paid to the fact that fallen leaves on the ground can hide unevenness, roots, stones, or holes in the path. You must expect trail impairments of this kind when hiking.

Although the path is very well marked throughout, you should always carry a suitable hiking map for safety reasons or download the free "Experience Rhineland-Palatinate" app.

Equipment

Wear sturdy footwear and weather-appropriate, functional clothing that protects against cold and wet or heat and sun.

Bring enough fluids with you. There are not always places to stop along the route.

Please wear hiking shoes suitable for the trail, which also provide sufficient grip on slippery and steep or rocky and uneven paths.

Tips

Enjoy the view of the colorfully painted trees from the lookout tower at Gräbersberg and refresh yourself after the ascent and descent at the Alpenroder Hut.

Literature

Leporello hiking map WesterwaldSteig at a scale of 1:25,000

Order at www.westerwald-shop.info.

Destination

Nistertal, church, an access route (approx. 1 km) from the WesterwaldSteig leads into the town

Starting Point

Freilingen, hiking car park