Siegbach – Hiking, Cycling and Village History

In Siegbach, you can choose between a 14-kilometre circular trail, cycle paths by the nature adventure pool and a historic half-timbered building. The Hohe Straße Extratour passes through three districts; in Übernthal stands the Old School, built in 1781. Together, these destinations tell a story of outdoor activities and the history of the municipality.

Hiking and Scenic Views in Siegbach

The Hohe Straße Extratour is a 14-kilometre circular trail through three districts of the municipality. There are two viewpoints along the route, and a total of 308 metres of elevation gain. The distance and elevation gain give you specific details to compare the route with the hiking day you have planned. Along the way, hikers repeatedly encounter traces of the mining industry, which shaped the region’s economy for centuries.

The Schloßberg, the municipality’s highest point, offers a separate point of reference. An observation platform with a stone orientation map stands at its summit. Directional arrows mark landmarks on the map. This adds a feature to the views across the landscape that highlights the landmarks shown.

Cycle Routes and Nature Adventure Pool

The Seenradweg cycle route runs from the Perftalsperre to the Aartalsee and passes right by the nature adventure pool in Siegbach-Eisemroth. The Salzböde cycle route runs near the pool. A refreshment stop invites swimmers, hikers and cyclists to linger on a sunny terrace overlooking the pool and surrounding nature. The Aartalsee, Hesse’s second-largest lake, is in the neighbouring municipality of Bischoffen.

Village History and Historic Routes

The Old School stands in the centre of Übernthal. Local residents built this school and church hall in 1781. The building features imposing oak half-timbering with characteristics typical of its period. Its original purpose brought two community functions together under one roof, offering a different focus from the municipality’s hiking and cycling routes.

The name Hohe Straße also points to the area’s earlier history: the trade route followed by the Extratour was already in use in Celtic times and was resurfaced in the Napoleonic era. On the hike, you will encounter both a clearly described circular route and traces of the region’s long mining history.

More Experiences in the Lahn-Dill District

The wider travel region of the Lahn-Dill district also offers literary and optical attractions. In Wetzlar, the Lottehaus commemorates Goethe’s encounter with Charlotte Buff and the summer of 1772. Two rooms on the first floor house a permanent exhibition on the origins and impact of his first novel, “The Sorrows of Young Werther.” Also in Wetzlar, the Optikparcours invites visitors to discover and try out optical phenomena, including in a walk-through kaleidoscope.

The Lahn-Dill district also showcases the history of technology and industry. The Grube Fortuna visitor mine in Solms-Oberbiel is the only Hessian anchor point on the European Route of Industrial Heritage. The Fortuna Field and Mine Railway Museum in Solms-Oberbiel has 50 historic field and mine locomotives and 100 carriages; trains run according to a timetable. In Dillenburg, Villa Grün presents objects and meticulously recreated scenes of industrial and craft production in the Dill region across more than 20 rooms. The basement also houses a mining exhibition featuring a wealth of media.

For nature and scenic views, the wider travel region offers different experiences: the Herbstlabyrinth-Adventhöhle cave system in Breitscheid is the largest cave system in Hesse and one of the most significant in Germany. The Herbstlabyrinth show cave can be reached on weekdays and during school holidays by RMV bus route 510 to the Breitscheid, Rathaus stop; from there, the walk takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Check the timetable before your visit. Greifenstein Castle offers spectacular views from its twin towers.

Discover more destinations: Wallenfels, Eschenburg, Schöffengrund, Braunfels, Greifenstein, Dietzhölztal, Dillenburg, Bischoffen.

Back to the overview of the wider travel region: Lahn-Dill district.