Hiking | Hachenburger Westerwald

Find the right hiking trails for your stay:

Circular trails

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Marienstatt - monastery walk

We start our little walk at the famous Cistercian Abbey of Marienstatt. The abbey was founded in 1222 by Cistercian monks in the valley of the Great Nister. It is a sacred place and a spiritual hub for the region. The surrounding landscape is shaped by the history and economic activity of the Cistercian monks. The beauty of the Nistertal valley and the diversity of nature make Marienstatt and the surrounding cultural landscape particularly attractive. We discover this landscape on our circular route and learn more about the work of the monks at that time. At seven stations we learn a variety of topics about the history of the Marienstatter monastery, cultural landscape and nature. After the walk we let our soul dangle in the beautiful monastery garden and enjoy the splendor of the flowers.

Kroppacher Switzerland - End of the World Nature Trail

Where is the end of the world? We're looking forward to a spectacular tour that demands surefootedness and fitness even from experienced hikers. First we follow the End of the World Path across colorful meadows along the Nister until we cross the river at a narrow bridge. But soon the adventure begins and the path leads us up a steep slope and becomes narrower and narrower. Happy to have chosen the sturdy hiking boots, we put one foot in front of the other on the path, which is partly cut in the middle of the rock. The wire ropes fastened in the rock come in handy for the alpine route. After we have made the ascent, we are rewarded with a magnificent view over the Nistertal. We are happy to take a seat on the benches and enjoy the impressive panorama during a break. After the rest, we make our way back lively and pass the towns of Flögert and Altenburg.

Hachenburg - permanent hiking trail (12 km)

Starting from the Hachenburger Westerwald tourist information, we cross the old market with its half-timbered houses and the fountain with the golden lion. We pass the Westerwald Landscape Museum, which we should definitely pay a visit to after our hike, and turn right into Ziegelhütter Weg. We follow this path to Gut Neuhof and can walk a little further to Gräbersberg (Alpenroder Hütte). At the Alpenroder Hütte you can strengthen yourself for the rest of the route and climb up to the vantage point located here. We follow the old post road back to Hachenburg, passing the Hachenburg elevated tank, the DRK hospital and the Hachenburg swimming pool (Löwenbad). Arrived back in the historic city center of Hachenburg, we are happy about the cozy atmosphere on the old market, which invites you to linger.

Hachenburg - permanent hiking trail (7 km)

From the Hachenburger Westerwald tourist information office, we cross the magnificent Old Market with its half-timbered houses and the fountain with the Golden Lion. We pass the Westerwald Landscape Museum and turn left into Dehlinger Weg. Soon we reach the Jewish cemetery, first mentioned in 1587, which is a listed building. We continue to enjoy our hike through the forest to the Lange Schneise, where we turn towards Gehlert. At the end of the forest we can already take a look at the imposing castle in Hachenburg and continue walking towards the medieval town. When we arrive back in Hachenburg, we are happy about the cozy atmosphere in the old market and in the pedestrian zone, which with their restaurants and cafés invite you to stop for a break.

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 "Löwenspur 1 orange"-Hachenburg - walking trail

The orange path requires average fitness, sturdy shoes and fun on steep ascents and descents. It goes along the Great Nister through the deep green, spacious Nistertal. There are steep-like passages along the way, narrow and winding places that could pose a challenge to hikers who are afraid of heights. Past the Nistermühle - the oldest Hachenburger mill - (this is where Konrad Adenauer hid from persecution by the National Socialists) you hike up to great views over the Nister. From there it goes back through the historic city center of Hachenburg with its old market and the lion fountain - the perfect place for a rest before it goes through the castle garden to the destination of the path.

Kleiner Wäller "Löwenspur 2 rot" - Hachenburg - walking trail

Through the Burggarten and past the Landscape Museum, this path also leads along the old Jewish cemetery to the archaeological monuments near the former brickworks. The Hachenburger city forest is home to a wide variety of fascinating tree species. An ideal way to enjoy peace and space. There are fantastic views of Hachenburg and the surrounding heart of the Westerwald to discover. A walk through the Kneipp pool can also be part of the program. Before heading back through the Burggarten to the destination of the path, the historic city center of Hachenburg invites you to take a stroll and take a break at the Alter Markt with its golden lion.

Hachenburg - water adventure trail

We choose the Hachenburger Erlebnisbrauerei as a thematically appropriate starting point and hike towards the Hachenburger Wald. Past the Rothbach grotto, we follow the Rothbach to the brewery's source of brewing water and from there on towards Gehlert. Information boards inform us about the designated water protection area, where there are numerous springs and deep wells around Gehlert. We continue to hike to the Gräbersberg (513 m) and enjoy the wonderful view from the highest point in the Hachenburger Westerwades. The Alpenroder Hütte offers us the opportunity to rest and refreshed, we follow the water adventure trail to the clay pit pond in Alpenrod. The turquoise shimmering pond is idyllically situated in the middle of a forest landscape surrounded by birch trees. After enjoying this natural beauty, we make our way back to Hachenburg along the Alte Poststraße.

Route Hiking Trails

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Westerwald-Steig Stage 10: Limbach - Marienthal Abbey (East - West)

From Limbach, the trail heads along the Heunigs Höhlenweg path to the viewing point on the Hohe Ley rock, where you can visit a small slate mine. The trail continues to follow the River Nister, passing Astert and Heuzert to reach Heimborn, where the Kleine Nister and Große Nister meet. It continues to the Spitzen Ley rock, with its view of Steinwingert. The highlight of this stage of the trail is the narrow Weltende ('World's End') path, which is a difficult climb. The trail then continues on more gentle paths past Racksen and the state forest at Altenkirchen down to Marienthal Abbey.

Westerwald-Steig Stage 9: Hachenburg - Limbach (East - West)

The trail leaves the town through the gardens of Hachenburg Castle. It continues down into the second Holzbach gorge on the Westerwald-Steig trail. The trail follows the edge of Nister to the mill, which Konrad Adenauer used as a hiding place during the Nazi era. Following the river, the trail soon arrives at Marienstatt Abbey. It then passes Streithausen to reach the Kleine Nister River, which follows the path as far as Limbach, where there is a local museum to visit.

Druidensteig - Stage 6 From the Bindweide pit to Hachenburg

We start at the Beuscherbergwerk Grube Bindeweide and make our way up to the Steinebergerhöhe. There we climb the original Barbara Tower, from which we enjoy a magnificent view. The quality hiking trail leads us down to the tranquil village of Limbach with its lovingly designed village museum. The Assberg roof slate pit awaits us as another attractive mine for visitors, which leads us down 112 steps into the historical mine. This is followed by the descent into the Nistertal to the picturesque Marienstatt Abbey. Here the romantic monastery garden and the monastery's own brewery invite you to take a breather. Past the Nistermühle, the stage takes us through the narrow "Kleine Holzbachschlucht" gorge up to the medieval town of Hachenburg. The Druidensteig ends there at the Westerwald Landscape Museum, which, with its numerous exhibits, tells us about life in the Westerwald in times long past.

Wiedweg 01. Etappe Hachenburg - Linden

Westerwald - an eventful hike Even before your hike starts, there is plenty to discover in Hachenburg, the pearl of the Westerwald: among other things, the landscape museum, which is well worthseeing, awaits you within sight of the trail. The centrepiece of the museum is the baroque hunting lodge of the Counts of Sayn-Hachenburg. The open-air museum displays a group of farmsteads with buildings that were moved here from other places. You should definitely visit the market square, affectionately known as the Alter Markt. Surrounded by beautiful half-timbered houses, the golden, double-tailed lion, the town's landmark, sits enthroned in the centre. Explore this and many other beautiful places that Hachenburg has in store for its guests on a guided tour of the town. As the name suggests, the Hachenburg adventure brewery offers its visitors a real experience in the art of brewing. Experience the fascination of brewing beer! A special highlight awaits you on the way with the spectacular view from the observation tower on the Gräbersberg. After climbing 196 steps, you will reach the viewing platform at a height of 34 metres and, weather permitting, can enjoy the view as far as the Siebengebirge. The Alpenroder Hütte invites you to take a break here.

Wiedweg 02. Stage Linden - Höchstenbach

The source of the Wied springs from beneath the roots of a centuries-old beech tree. From there, you start and follow the Wied towards Dreifelden, where you can marvel at the oldest stone church in the Westerwald, the Dreifaltigkeitskirche. On the banks of the Dreifelder Weiher, the largest body of water in the Westerwald lake district, take a break on one of the benches, relax and enjoy the breathtaking scenery. You follow the Wiedweg and leave the Dreifelder Weiher nature reserve in the direction of Oberes Wiedtal, where you come across the Steinebach/Wied sculpture park. With its cultural and historical symbols, the characteristics of the landscape have been visualised in the form of five "sculptures along the path and stream". The Upper Wiedtal nature reserve with its floodplain landscapes, wet meadows and biotopes is home to many plant and animal species. You accompany the Wied to the village of Höchstenbach, where your 1st stage of the Wiedweg ends.

Wiedweg Stage 3 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.

Guided hikes