Hiking in Germany has never been so beautiful!

WesterwaldSteig adventure loop "Romantic Lake District"

First we hike a bit along the Wiedweg in the direction of Dreifelden. Soon we meet the WesterwaldSteig and continue along the largest pond in the lake district, the Dreifelder Weiher. At leisure we watch the hustle and bustle of all kinds of waterfowl on the lake. As soon as we have left the Dreifelder Weiher behind us, we reach the Steinen-Dreifelden forest playground, which our little guests enjoy very much. After a short break, we continue on our way and soon arrive at the Postweiher, which attracts in summer with its varied activities such as swimming and pedal boating. We pass Freilingen and hike exhilarated through meadows and fields to the Wölferlinger Weiher nature reserve. Now it goes up to the 463 m high Schwengersberg, where we enjoy the magnificent view. From Rothenbach, the 7-pond hiking trail takes us back to Dreifelden through an impressive backdrop of indoor forests.

WesterwaldSteig adventure loop "Fuchsbau, Arnika and Bergeshöhe" (Foxhole, Arnica and Mountain Heights)

-ATTENTION: The starting point at the Fuchskaute can no longer be approached since 2021. Alternatively, the following starting points are available: Breitscheid airfield Heisterberger Weiher campsite Our adventure loop starts at the Fuchskaute. At 657 metres, the Fuchskaute is the highest elevation in the Westerwald. Only a few metres from the former inn, the two top trails WesterwaldSteig and Rothaarsteig meet, where our official starting point for this circular tour is also located. But now it's time to hike along the Rothaarsteig in the direction of Rabenscheid. The horizontal R on a white background shows us the way through the peaceful Fuchskaute nature reserve. We see a meadow landscape with scattered trees, which is otherwise more typical of the Alpine foothills or Allgäu. Especially in autumn, when the early morning mist slowly rises and the dew still hangs in the grasses, we experience a unique natural experience. The constant change between forest and meadow landscapes provides the hiker with calming views over the rolling hills of the High Westerwald again and again. Shortly after Rabenscheid, the Rothaarsteig turns left towards Langenaubach. Now we have to be on our guard, because shortly afterwards we also leave the Rothaarsteig and hike along the Rothaarsteig access path (lying R on a yellow background) in the direction of Breitscheid. Before Breitscheid and at the same time at the height of the Breitscheid landing site, we meet the WesterwaldSteig at signpost BRE.002, which will now be our companion for the entire length to the starting point with its green W on a white background. However, we first walk along the WesterwaldSteig past the Breitscheid airfield, which is used for civilian purposes. Here you also have the opportunity to take to the air for a short while and view the landscape from above. Today it is difficult for hikers to imagine that during the Second World War Luftwaffe fighters took off from here and that history was made in this respect. Only a few contemporary witnesses remind us of this. After leaving the airfield, we walk again and further through the typical cultural landscape of the High Westerwald, with gently undulating basalt plateaus, the open landscapes and associated windbreak hedges. These spruce strips were planted between 1835 and 1838 as protection against the much-sung about Westerwald wind. They were intended to protect the farmland from erosion and the harvest from storm damage. The route continues along the protective hedges over the volcanic rock Bartenstein to the Heisterberg pond, through the Bermershube nature reserve with wetland biotopes and flower meadows. Willowherb, common ragwort and deer elder blossom here. The large proportion of open landscape on this section of the trail also provides the hiker with constant great views all the way to our starting point, the Fuchskaute.

WesterwaldSteig adventure loop "Marienthal Monastery and the End of the World

The circular tour starts at the hikers' car park in Marienthal. It goes up to the Sonnenberg with a resting place with a beautiful view. Immediately below, you can see the village of Ahlhausen, whose hilltop was once inhabited by Celts. Excavations here have proven the former existence of a refuge. One of the highlights of this adventure loop is the charming and alpine nature trail Weltende, which crosses one of the most beautiful sections of Kroppach Switzerland through untouched coppice woodland along the Nisterbogen in romantic silence. The Weltende trail is a path carved into the rock, where children used to have to walk to school in Stein-Wingert. In the vernacular, it is also referred to as the "end of the world". At Nassen, there is another magnificent view over hilly Kroppach Switzerland. In Marienthal, the pilgrimage church and the historically famous Franciscan monastery of Marienthal await. Legend has it that a shepherd often prayed in silent devotion before an image of Mary he had carved himself, and a first chapel was built for it around 1460. Several miraculous healings and resurrections from death were described, which led to a great pilgrimage and a church was built in 1494. A Franciscan monastery was founded in 1666. Retreats and educational events are still held here today. In addition, numerous pilgrims and processions also visit the place of grace. In Marienthal there are several places to stop for a leisurely end to the hike.

Wiedweg 01. Stage Linden - Höchstenbach

The Wiedquelle rises under the roots of a centuries-old beech tree. From there we start and accompany the Wied in the direction of Dreifelden, where we can marvel at the oldest stone church in the Westerwald, the Trinity Church. On the banks of the Dreifelder Weiher, the largest body of water in the Westerwald lake district, we take a break on one of the benches, let our souls dangle and enjoy the breathtaking landscape. We follow the Wiedweg and leave the Dreifelder Weiher nature reserve in the direction of Oberes Wiedtal, where we come to the Steinebach sculpture park

Wiedweg Stage 2 Höchstenbach - Altenkirchen

I'm looking forward to the second stage of the Wiedweg because it promises to be very varied. At the beginning of the hike, the late Romanesque, Protestant parish church of St. George in Höchstenbach fascinates me with its wall paintings from the 13th century. For about five hours I mostly follow the course of the Wied, also through the landscape protection area "Im Dorn" on the southern edge of Altenkirchen with its species and varied flora and fauna. In Michelbach, I marvel at the Michelbach mill, which still today, powered by the water power of the Wied, grinds up to 110 tons of wheat a day. With its six grinders, it is one of the largest mills in the region. The Mühlengraben is also still used (today for power generation). My highlight is the Bismarck Tower, which was restored in 2010. It is a monument and landmark of Altenkirchen at the same time and, at a height of 14 metres, offers a great view of the landscape in the northern Westerwald. (Information and opening hours: www.bismarckturm-ak.de) My hiking stage ends again at a Romanesque basilica worth seeing, this time in Almersbach. From here, only 1.5 km separate me from Altenkirchen train station.

Wiedweg 03. Etappe Altenkirchen - Oberlahr

I enjoy the varied hike through the Rhine-Westerwald Nature Park and the alternation between lush meadows directly on the river and cooling forests on the ridges. On the way, I pass the Obernauer Kopf (265 m) into Raiffeisenland, named after the famous social reformer Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen, who founded the cooperative idea here during his lifetime. Passing Seelbach and Seifen, the route continues to Döttesfeld, where the Holzbach, the largest tributary, flows into the Wied. At the rushing Holzbach, a Kneipp water treading facility has been set up directly in the stream - a refreshment that tired hikers' feet will enjoy. The neighboring barefoot path also promises a welcome change. An interesting extra of this tour is the 12th century basilica in Almersbach at the beginning. It welcomes me with a great location on a protruding ridge above the Wiedtal in the center of old trees and with amazing, well-preserved fresco paintings. At the stage destination Oberlahr I find not only beautiful half-timbered houses, but also the imposing parish church of St. Antonius on the village square.

Druidensteig - Stage 1 From Freusburg to Herdorf

The 1 to 20 million year old namesake of this quality hiking trail, the legendary Druidenstein (National Geotope), welcomes us on this first stage in its extremely powerful form and, as a natural monument, is at the same time "the geological highlight" of our hike. From the Freusburg, which towers high above the Siegtal, the hiking tour runs in the Druiden.Hexen.SiegerLand of the Verbandsgemeinde Kirchen (Sieg) first to the Kahlberg with a unique view from the Ottoturm (GeoBlick) into the Siegtal and the Westerwald. In addition to the Freusburger Mühle, above Kirchen-Herkersdorf, we experience an even artistically designed historical Way of the Cross from the 1920s. In the stage destination Herdorf-Sassenroth, it is essential to plan a visit to the mining museum of the Altenkirchen district. This is a mining world for young and old. A complete mine was built in the basement of the museum based on the original locations in the region.

Druidensteig - Stage 2 From Herdorf to Daaden

On the second stage of the Druidensteig we discover the natural beauties and geologically relevant points between the mining towns of Herdorf and Daaden. The so-called Silbersee on the Mahlscheid, where basalt was mined until the 1970s, is unique in terms of landscape. Other natural attractions are the beech in the Hüllwald near Daaden, which is one of the oldest trees in the region, and the basalt columns on the Hohenseelbachskopf. If you have not yet got to know the mining museum of the Altenkirchen district at the beginning of the hike, a visit to Herdorf-Sassenroth is definitely recommended. Narrow forest paths lead us up on this hiking tour and we enjoy the view of the entire city of Herdorf. We reach today's stage destination when we arrive in the city of Daaden, where there are numerous refreshment stops. The center impresses with the baroque church, some pretty half-timbered houses and the local museum.

Druidensteig - Stage 3 From Daaden to Elkenrother Weiher

Several nature and bird sanctuaries underline the natural landscape of the Westerwald during the third stage of the Druidensteig. Before we start our hike, it is advisable to get to know the mining town of Daaden with its baroque church, the local museum and the town center with its ornate half-timbered houses. On the approximately 14 km long hiking route, the information point on the Schimmerich tells about the former basalt mining. In Friedewald, the castle there stands out with its distinctive onion dome and massive wooden gate. Furthermore, today we reach the highest point of the entire Druidensteig with a height of 508 meters above sea level near Langenbach near Kirburg. The meadow paths over the plateau of the Neunkhausen-Weitefeld plateau are simply wonderful. Not far away is the Elkenrother Weiher, which is also the destination of this stage. We learn more about the occurrences on brown coal seams and the sticky sand pits.

Wäller Tour Eisenbachtal (round tour - premium hiking trail)

A wonderful trail with undeniable recreational qualities is located northwest of Nomborn in the Eisenbach Valley. Forest and water provide a pleasant microclimate here, especially on hot days. After starting at the hiking parking lot of the Studentenmühle, the trail leads along the Eisenbach through shady woods to the "Bildches Eich". Here, a small forest chapel from 1963 and a hollowed oak tree with a statue of the Virgin Mary from 1830 await the hiker. Back along the Holbach, where two mills invite you to rest at the end of the circular path.

Wäller Tour Raiffeisens Sonntagsspaziergang - Hamm (Sieg)

Wäller Tour Augst

14 kilometres through the historiccultural landscape of the Augst bringme wonderful views and interesting sights. I startat the Neuhäusel-Ost hikers' car parkand reach the excellently marked premium trail. I head south alongmeadow paths in a southerly direction andenjoy the landscape. Natural paths lead through the floodplains of theof the Binnbach. There is a smallclimb before the forest. Then I hike up the Schlossberg to the accessibleSporkenburg ruins from the 11thfrom the 11th century. Thenthen descend along the Theilenbach stream to the L 329.I come across a farm track,I follow it in the direction of Arzbach across meadows and pastures. I satisfy my hunger in the old brewery. NowI climb up the Mühlberg, which I caneasier with the help of my trekkingeasier with my trekking poles. Wide views,including the watchtowers of theof the Limes, reward the effort. AtKadenbach there is a rest areawith a barbecue hut. The trail continues uphillto the "Maria in der Augst" chapel, which was only built in 1999/2000. Alast look at the surroundings andI walk back through the forestto the starting point.

Small Wäller "Lion track 3 blue" - Hachenburg - walking trail

The oldest water tank in Hachenburg is located along the trail and the Rothbach Grotto invites you to pause and take a deep breath. In the course of the route, there is a wonderful view of Hachenburg with its baroque castle at the so-called "summit cross". Through the district of the old town with the Hachenburg brewery, hop garden and historic ice cellar, you return to the traditional town center with its old market and golden lion on the fountain. Here you can let your soul dangle, before it goes through the castle garden to the finish point.

Kleiner Wäller "Basalt + Water" - walking trail

My way starts at the parking lot of the Ulmbachtalsperre. Over the dam I walk along the lake into the forest. Soon I discover a geological peculiarity: A comb quartzite cliff - originated from the formerly pure sandy beaches of the Lower Carboniferous period. I follow the Ulmbach over meadow paths and reach the village center of Beilstein with the beautiful basalt castle church from the 17th century. On the left side you will see Beilstein Castle. Once a count's residence, the restored basalt building is now privately owned. My way leads me over the splashing Ulmbach to the BASALT-PARKours, which shows me the many ways of using the stone. On the route of the former Ulmtalbahn railroad, which has been converted into the Ulmtal cycle path, I hike back to the Ulmbach dam, where I can enjoy the idyllic resting places and viewpoints.

Bad Marienberg - Small Wäller "Schwarze Nister" - walking trail

The Kleine Wäller Schwarze Nister is the second walking trail in Bad Marienberg. Here you can stroll leisurely and enjoy nature. And although the tour is only just under 4.5 km long, there is plenty to see, even in autumn and winter. In summer, a Kneipp treading pool or the little river itself offers cooling for feet and legs, and in the Bacher Lay it is always cool anyway. The basalt wall is worth seeing and you can also discover remnants of former basalt mining, always accompanied by the Black Nister. Sometimes it is closer, sometimes a little further away from the path. Back in the city, the Barefoot Trail and Apothecary Garden in the Park of the Senses await your visit.