Heiligenroth: Ahrbach, Hermolder Bridge and Local Traditions

Heiligenroth lies in Nassau Nature Park; the Ahrbach flows through its municipal area. Near Hermolder, the Ahrbach runs beneath the Montabaur–Limburg road (L 318). Hermolder Bridge is about 18 metres high. On the bridge lies the Hermolderkugel, which is almost one metre thick and is associated with a local legend about the ringing of the bells. The river, road structure and storytelling tradition offer different points of interest: landscape, structure and inherited history.

The Ahrbach, Hermolder Bridge and local history

The church adds another specific historical reference: the present-day Church of St Peter and Marcellinus replaced an existing manor church in 1782. The surviving tower beside the church now serves as a bell tower. In this way, the transition from manor church to the present church building and the continued use of the neighbouring tower stand side by side as two chapters in the village’s history.

Trails and places to rest

The path from the Kirmesplatz (fairground) to the Koppelhütte (Koppel hut) was created around 1950. About halfway along is a resting place with views over Heiligenroth. Koppel, also known as Helljerera Koppel, reaches 292 metres within Heiligenroth’s municipal area and also offers views over the village. Koppel is home to the Koppelhütte and a small seating area; the hut provides shelter. The resting places along the route offer different reasons to stop: views of Heiligenroth along the way, and at Koppel, the hut and seating area as well.

At the edge of the forest is the multi-generational recreation area, with play, sports and leisure facilities as well as two covered picnic shelters. It serves as a place to rest for visitors passing through Heiligenroth on foot or by bicycle. Its combination of different facilities and covered picnic areas gives this spot a different character from the resting place on the way to the Koppelhütte.

Church, local traditions and travel planning

The annual St Martin’s tradition includes a lantern procession through the village to the St Martin’s bonfire at the multi-generational recreation area; music and singing accompany the procession. Programme details may vary. The fair takes place on the Sunday after 2 June and includes decorating and raising a fair tree. If you would like to plan your trip around one of these occasions, check the date and programme for the relevant year.

Westerwald: more regional themes

The wider Westerwald destination has distinct themes for hiking and geology enthusiasts. The WesterwaldSteig is a 235-kilometre long-distance hiking trail through the Westerwald, with 16 stages. The Druidensteig covers 94 kilometres in seven day stages through seven river valleys and features more than 30 geo-information points. These figures show the different route lengths and stage totals; for planning a specific tour, it is worth consulting the current route planner.

The Stöffel Park is another Westerwald attraction: this former basalt quarry site, covering around 140 hectares, brings together industrial heritage, geological history and nature. The TERTIÄRUM fossil exhibition includes the famous “Stöffel mouse”; the fossils document around 25 million years of geological history.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Wallmerod, Bad Marienberg, Willmenrod, Caan, Kroppach, Westernohe, Brandscheid, Rehe.

Go to the main travel overview: Westerwald.