Zweifall: Discover Hiking Trails and Forest History

In Zweifall, trails wind through a landscape whose history can be read in its streams, forests, and old structures. The hikes also vary in length and route: from shorter sections of a signposted local circular trail to a stage ending in Simonskall. This gives you different options when planning your days and deciding which sides of the town you would like to explore.

Hiking: Circular Routes, Sections, or a Stage

The signposted circular hiking trail maintained by IG Unser Dorf Zweifall is 15.5 km long in total. It starts and ends in the town center, with shorter sections available from 3 km. The route has 255 meters of ascent and descent and runs mostly along wide forest tracks. Its starting point is at the Old Schoolyard, opposite the Catholic church at Döllscheidter Straße 2. There is no time limit for parking at the entrance to Zweifall when arriving from Vicht. The public transport stop is called Zweifall Kirche.

Another circular hike is the moderately difficult Hasselbach Route: it is 13.1 km long and starts and ends at the Solchbachtal parking lot in 52222 Stolberg-Zweifall. The length and start and finish points are given for both routes; the Hasselbach Route is rated as moderately difficult. The Bachtäler Höhenroute, meanwhile, starts in Zweifall; its first stage covers 15.5 km to Simonskall. At the beginning, it follows the Hasselbach and Gieschetbach streams. The circular route, shorter sections, and stage therefore differ not only in distance but also in whether the start and finish are at the same place.

Water, Forest, and Work in the Past

Zweifall developed thanks to its favorable location at the confluence of the Vicht and Hasselbach. Water also shaped local work: the first sawmills in Zweifall were initially powered by water, and later by steam and electricity. Along Klapperweg, mill races, ponds, and old weirs beside the Vicht recall how water became the basis for crafts and early businesses in the valley, and how it was harnessed, divided, and channeled. These structures show just how closely the use of water was connected with work in the valley.

Traces of earlier work can also be found in the forest. From the 16th century onward, numerous charcoal-burning sites were established around Zweifall. Dark, round depressions in the forest floor remain as visible traces. On the edge of town are also the remains of the former Junkershammer: the 17th-century forge was powered by the Vicht. On a guided hike, you can visit numerous well-preserved Reitwerke.

A tangible testament to the history of sawmilling is the saw frame at the Zweifall sawmill museum. It dates from 1934 and was built in Aue, Saxony. Zweifall also has a forest nature trail for a different way to experience the woods. And if you’re looking for an unusual point of comparison: the world’s longest bench, at 34 m, is made from the trunk of a single Douglas fir.

Church and Architectural History

The Protestant church in Zweifall was built in 1683/84 and is one of the region’s oldest purpose-built Lutheran places of worship. A small architectural highlight is the keystone of the arch above the portal, which bears the inscription “God’s Word remains forever.” The date of construction, regional significance, and inscription tell different parts of the church’s story—from the age of the building to a detail right at the entrance.

Other Perspectives in Stolberg (Rhld.)

The early modern copper courtyards add a distinctive element to the wider destination of Stolberg (Rhld.). They are characteristic of Stolberg, but their architectural styles vary depending on when they were built, so they do not form a uniform pattern. Copper Courtyard Rose was built around 1600 and is now an arts and crafts courtyard with studios belonging to several artists. A leisurely stroll through the lanes of Stolberg’s old town also offers fresh perspectives on history time and again.

If you’re also interested in the copper courtyards and the old town, consider Stolberg (Rhld.) when choosing your destination.

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