Vettelschoß: Water, Nature and History

Vettelschoß brings together traces of basalt mining with water, nature and village history. The town is located in the Rhine-Westerwald Nature Park. The Blauer See natural swimming lake, the area around Willscheider Berg, the Wäller Blick viewpoint and the Schmitzhof each offer something different. When planning your stay, you can first decide whether swimming and fishing, outdoor activities or a cultural and historical look at the town should take priority.

Water, Basalt and Nature

At Blauer See, you can see how a former basalt quarry has been transformed into a swimming and fishing lake. The lake covers approximately one hectare and is about 20 metres deep. A former basalt quarry, it has been used for fishing and swimming since 1968. The swimming area includes a platform for non-swimmers, separate areas for swimming and relaxing, and a dedicated area for small children. The lake thus brings together its history and a range of different uses.

After basalt mining ended in 1974, a lake formed in the quarry at Willscheider Berg. A nature reserve extends around Willscheider Bergsee. The quarry lake at Willscheider Berg serves as an important refuge and habitat for the development of local flora and fauna. The landscape’s evolution after mining and its ecological importance are therefore also among Vettelschoß’s nature-related attractions.

Half-Timbered Architecture and Village History

Schmitzhof is the oldest surviving half-timbered house in Vettelschoß and was built around 1640. Since 2010, the house has served as a village museum, focusing on the period from 1900 to 1910. Two historical periods thus come together: the 17th-century half-timbered house and the era covered by the museum. Anyone interested in local history will find a tangible point of connection here, alongside the themes of nature and water.

Trails and Views

The Basalt Sculpture Trail connects Kalenborn and Vettelschoß along an old railway embankment dating back to the basalt-mining era. An extensive network of hiking and cycling trails in and around Vettelschoß connects to well-known long-distance hiking routes. This offers various options for planning your day: you can focus on the trail between the two towns or explore the wider network of hiking and cycling routes.

The “Wäller Blick” viewpoint offers a different perspective on the landscape. From there, the view extends across the Vettelschoß district and, in good weather, as far as the High Westerwald. The panorama complements the trails and the history of basalt mining with a sweeping view of the surrounding area.

Plan Your Stay

When looking for accommodation in Vettelschoß, it helps to set a simple priority: do you want your stay to focus mainly on the swimming and fishing lake, hiking and cycling trails, or village history? If you would like to combine several themes, consider which one will shape your stay the most. Before making plans, check the current conditions at the lake, visiting arrangements at Schmitzhof and the state of the trails.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Dattenberg, Steimel, Kleinmaischeid, Bauscheid, Urbach, Isenburg, Linz Am Rhein, Unkel.

Go to the main travel overview: Neuwied.