WesterwaldSteig - 3rd route from campsite to campsite

Description

Ahead of me lies a tough route but also a great experience. I equip myself with hiking boots and practical clothing and set off through the Holzbachtal nature reserve, for which I plan about three-quarters of an hour. After my arrival at Campingplatz Zum Katzenstein, I allow myself a well-deserved break before setting off on a new route the next day.

Approach

Coming from the north: Take the A45 to exit 24-Haiger/Burbach and from there take the B54 towards Limburg/Rennerod/Bad Marienberg/Neunkirchen/Burbach. Shortly before Rennerod, take the B255 towards A3/Montabaur/Hellenhahn-Schellenberg. In Hellenhahn-Schellenberg, take the 3rd exit at the roundabout.

Coming from the east: Take the A45 to exit 26-Herborn-West and from there on the B255 towards Rennerod/Bad Marienberg/Driedorf until Hellenhahn-Schellenberg. Take the 3rd exit at the roundabout there.

Coming from the south: Take the A3 to the Limburg exit, then take the exit towards B49 towards Limburg-Nord/Gießen. Follow the signs towards Gießen/Wetzlar/B49 and continue on B49/B54. Take the 3rd exit at the roundabout in Irmtraut.

Coming from the west: Take the A3 to exit 40-Montabaur and from there on the B255 towards Rennerod/Siegen until Boden. Change to L300 to Seck. Follow signs to the campsite in town.

Public transport

Unfortunately, there are no direct public transport connections from places with train stations.

Parking

Camping Park Weiherhof, 56479 Seck

Directions

I start at Camping Park Weiherhof near Seck and initially follow the WesterwaldSteig from the Large to the Small Secker Pond and further past the village of Seck, gently downhill for about three kilometers to the magnificent Holzbachdurchbruch nature reserve. At Dappricher Hof near Seck, the entrance to the Holzbach Gorge lies ahead of me. After a short coffee break, I discover the one-kilometer-long and up to 20 meters deep gorge, where the Holzbach, a tributary of the Elbbach, has carved its way deeply into the basalt before flowing past Gemünden to Hessen. Broken-off basalt blocks and fallen trees give the narrow valley a wild brook character. I orient myself using the information boards along the path, which help me identify the local plants and animals here.

Shortly before Gemünden, I turn right at the parking lot in front of the Lexenmühle, with a view of the Patschesmühle and two ponds, behind which the Lochmühle can be found. There are a total of eight mills in the district, many of which are now private homes. After about 200 meters, I follow the left bend of the path, then shortly afterwards turn right again. After about 400 meters, I cross the L302, walk in a large arc around Gemünden for about three kilometers, and enjoy the gentle hills, extensive deciduous forests, and broad meadow valleys on my way toward Westerburg. Then I follow the path to the right and reach the 2.1-hectare Campingplatz Zum Katzenstein about one kilometer away, located in a prime forest edge setting.

Safety instructions

• Wear sturdy footwear and weather-appropriate, practical clothing that protects you from cold and wet or heat and sun.
• Bring enough fluids. Rest stops are not available everywhere.
• Please wear suitable hiking boots that provide sufficient support even on slippery and steep or rocky and uneven paths.
• If you think certain sections of the route are impassable for you, you should avoid them. Especially in adverse weather conditions, natural paths can become muddy and slippery.
• Especially in autumn, be aware that fallen leaves on the ground may conceal unevenness, roots, stones, or holes in the path. Expect such path impairments when hiking.
• Although the path is very well marked throughout, for safety reasons always carry a suitable hiking map with you.

Equipment

Hiking boots and weather-appropriate clothing recommended

Literature

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

Destination

Campingplatz Zum Katzenstein

Starting Point

Camping Park Weiherhof