Weiden – Meadows, Stream and Mining History

Weiden lies in a meadow valley with a stream. Open countryside, mixed woodland and memories of mining give the place its varied character. A memorial stone commemorates the Aurora lead and silver mine; signposted hiking trails offer opportunities for relaxing walks.

Meadow Landscape and Hiking Trails

To the west and north, the landscape opens out into open countryside; mixed woodland shapes the scenery on the other sides. This division gives Weiden a distinct landscape character. The signposted hiking trails offer opportunities for walking and add a separate accent alongside the village’s history. If you like to include nature and exercise in your stay, Weiden offers a concrete starting point.

The Aurora Mine and Its History

The memorial stone in Weiden commemorates the Aurora lead and silver mine. It operated from approximately 1850 to 1900, reached a depth of 300 metres and was divided into 21 levels. Annual ore production reached up to 1,300 tonnes. The period of operation, depth and production volume give the mining history a tangible scale, while the memorial stone anchors it in the village.

Accommodation in Weiden

The local tourism infrastructure includes “Sleeping in the Hay” and other holiday apartments. Consider which of these types of accommodation suits your preferences, and check availability before your trip.

In the Wider Birkenfeld Destination

Part of the Hunsrück-Hochwald National Park lies within the Birkenfeld collective municipality. The 1.6-kilometre National Park Island Tour around Börfink and Thranenweier uses information panels to introduce the rare and endangered arnica meadows, their origins, conservation and biodiversity. The species-rich Ochsenbruch between Börfink and the Erbeskopf gave the Börfink Ox Tour its name.

Another aspect of nature can be explored on the 1-kilometre Upper Nahe Water Experience Trail in Hoppstädten-Weiersbach, which has four starting points. It introduces the diversity of aquatic life in the Upper Nahe, including barbel and gudgeon, as well as waterbirds such as kingfishers and dippers, and dragonfly species such as the common damselfly and river skimmer. The “In the Land of Kites, Storks and More” nature trail has 18 stops around Niederhambach, Schmißberg and Rimsberg. Near Schmißberg, it includes an aviary with the stork pair Lotte and Bernie, as well as information about the habitats of red kites, black storks and other species.

Culture can also be discovered in the wider Birkenfeld destination. The Birkenfeld State Museum features permanent exhibitions on the Celts and Romans, Birkenfeld and the House of Wittelsbach, the iron industry in Birkenfeld district, an old classroom from around 1930, and the Oldenburg era. The 2.5-kilometre Avenue of the Gods between the local municipalities of Schwollen and Leisel features ten life-size, colourful figures of gods.

For cycling enthusiasts, the WasserTräume RadLust Loop offers a different perspective on the wider Birkenfeld destination. It starts in Birkenfeld, leads through Brücken and Abentheuer, passes a historic ironworks and then runs along the edge of the national park via the old ore route towards the Saarland border. There are various themes to choose from: Weiden’s meadow valley and mining history, and, in the wider Birkenfeld destination, nature trails, a museum, art and a cycling route.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Hattgenstein, Abentheuer, Sonnenberg-Winnenberg, Horbruch, Bruchweiler, Hammerstein, Oberkirn, Elchweiler.

To the wider travel overview: Birkenfeld.