Discover Astert

Astert is located within the Kroppacher Schweiz nature and landscape conservation area. There, the Große Nister has carved a narrow valley with steep slopes in places. This striking river landscape defines the village and makes hiking and cycling a natural part of travel planning.

Hiking: the “Valley of the Große Nister” loop

The Kroppacher Schweiz–Limbach “Valley of the Große Nister” loop is a moderately difficult hike covering 15.8 kilometres, with 231 metres of ascent and a duration of 4.6 hours. It leads through deciduous forests into the Nister valley, reaches Astert, and then follows the Große Nister to just before Heuzert. The route also climbs Hartenberg to another viewpoint; the return leg passes via Lützelauer Mühle and the Heunigshöhlenpfad. River, forest and viewpoints give the different sections of the same tour their own character.

The stated duration, ascent and moderate difficulty rating can help you see how the hike fits with your plans for the day. If you are travelling with children, these specific details provide a basis for deciding whether the route suits your family’s pace. Check current trail conditions and any route changes before setting out.

Start and directions

The loop starts in Limbach. Bus route 270 runs from Hachenburg to Streithausen; from there, it is about a 25-minute walk to Limbach. The driving route from Hachenburg follows the K19 through Müschenbach to Astert, then continues along the K20 to Limbach. If you are planning to travel by bus, check the timetable before departure. Astert has a barbecue hut and a youth campsite.

Cycling routes and other stops along the way

The Nister Cycle Path is part of the Westerwald Loop. Its route runs from Wissen through the Kroppacher Schweiz to Hachenburg and onward towards the High Westerwald. The WW1 cycle route runs south of Limbach to Astert and loops around the Hohe Ley viewpoint. Another tour, Fuchskaute–Hachenburg, is rated moderately difficult and covers 50 kilometres. This gives you different details to consider when choosing: one route passes through Astert and Hohe Ley, while the other specifies its length and difficulty.

The routes also include historical points of interest. These include the medieval Assberg slate mine; another route passes Marienstatt Abbey and its Early Gothic basilica.

More Westerwald highlights

The Westerwald also offers other options to consider when planning your trip. The WesterwaldSteig is a 235-kilometre long-distance hiking trail through the Westerwald, divided into 16 stages. It offers a different scale from the 15.8-kilometre loop through the valley of the Große Nister. Check the current route in the tour planner before setting out.

In the Westerwald, Stöffel-Park brings together industrial heritage, geological history and nature across around 140 hectares of a former basalt quarry. The TERTIÄRUM at Stöffel-Park displays fossils, including the “Stöffel Mouse,” which document around 25 million years of geological history. Hachenburg offers a different focus: its historic town centre is defined by restored half-timbered houses around the Alter Markt; the Löwenbrunnen is also part of its historic character.

Choose accommodation to suit your travel plans

The local loop and the long-distance hiking trail offer different tour lengths; Stöffel-Park and Hachenburg add geological history and townscape to the region’s attractions. Base your accommodation search on the places and routes that matter most to your own travel plans.

Discover more destinations

Nentershausen, Neuhochstein, Nistertal, Stahlhofen Am Wiesensee, Krümmel, Korb, Dreifelden, Montabaur

Back to the main travel overview: Westerwald.