Ehlscheid: Discover Hiking and Nature

Ehlscheid offers circular hiking trails with varying lengths and elevation profiles, as well as several places to explore in the spa park. One trail is described as an easy hike, while others feature steep sections or run through the forest. The spa park is home to Kneipp footbath pools, a barefoot path and a tree trail. Ehlscheid is located in the Rhine-Westerwald Nature Park and near the Rheinsteig and Westerwaldsteig trails.

Hiking trails with different profiles

The E1 circular trail to Forsthaus Gommerscheid is 5.8 kilometres long and has around 185 metres of elevation gain. It is an easy hike on good paths, with lovely far-reaching views from the heights. A hiking map in PDF format and a GPX file are available for the E1. If you focus primarily on elevation profiles when choosing a tour, you will find a different description here than for the E2.

The route details give the E2 circular trail through Gommerscheid Wildlife Park as 6.5 kilometres long, with around 215 metres of elevation gain. The first half includes a longer, partly steep descent; from the “Almblick” viewpoint, the trail climbs steadily, with some steep sections. Ankle-high hiking boots are recommended for the E2. These details provide specific guidance on the route and the equipment recommended for this tour.

The E3 “Views of the Wied Valley” is 6.5 kilometres long and has around 454 metres of elevation gain. It starts at the car park by Ehlscheid spa park. According to the route details, the E2 is just as long as the E3 but has around 215 rather than approximately 454 metres of elevation gain. At 3.9 kilometres, the E4 circular trail “On Both Sides of the Laubach” is the shortest of the circular trails mentioned; it has around 140 metres of elevation gain and runs almost entirely through the forest. This makes it easy to compare the tours’ lengths, elevation gains and character.

Guided hikes for interested visitors depart from Ehlscheid on Saturdays and last around two to three hours. Before taking part, check the current monthly schedule and the contact details listed there for registration. In terms of timing, these guided tours also differ from planning an individual circular hike.

The spa park and paths to explore

Ehlscheid spa park has a large Kneipp footbath pool. On the Klosterweg, the Kneipp facility in Ehlscheid offers a first refreshing break after the strenuous climb. The barefoot path runs through the spa park as a sensory trail. The facility, as described in August 2022, includes nine large sections with different surfaces, including pebbles, shell sand and coconut mats. As the facility’s condition may change, check before your visit.

The tree trail in the spa park features 13 new signs describing the trees. The Ehlscheid discovery trail, “With Helos and Heloni in the Home Forest,” offers another way to experience nature: the circular trail is around 800 metres long and has numerous hands-on stations where visitors can marvel and enjoy their surroundings. Information boards share interesting facts about plants and animals. The trail is a popular destination for kindergarten and school trips. The tree signs and information stations therefore focus on different things: the former cover individual trees, while the latter cover plants and animals along a circular trail.

Planning your stay

The Tourist Information Office at the “Haus des Gastes,” Parkstraße 2, is a resource for residents and visitors. There you can find information about tourism, recreation and leisure activities in and around Ehlscheid. The tours described offer specific differences in length and elevation gain; the spa park attractions and discovery trail add further topics to the mix.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Höhn, Steimel, Unkel, Rheinbrohl, Reuschenbach, Linz Am Rhein, Kasbach-Ohlenberg and Asbach.

Back to the main travel overview: Neuwied.