Höchstenbach on the Wiedweg: Nature and Local History

Höchstenbach lies on the slope of a valley basin crossed by the Wied. Its landscape and hiking trails meet tangible themes from local history. From Höchstenbach, the Wiedweg passes through a nature reserve and offers a clearly defined section to Altenkirchen. When planning your trip, you can combine this day’s hike with the town’s history or consider another section featuring water-based activities at Dreifelder Weiher.

Hiking between the valley and the nature reserve

The Wiedweg section from Höchstenbach to Altenkirchen is 16 kilometres long, is considered moderately difficult and takes about five hours. This makes it easy to gauge how much time to allow for the day’s hike. Krambergsmühle lies along the route; the Wiedweg also passes through the Im Dorm nature reserve, known for its diverse flora and fauna. A named waypoint and protected nature are therefore equally part of this section.

The route to Höchstenbach also has a scenic connection: the Wiedweg runs through the Oberes Wiedtal nature reserve. Floodplain landscapes, wet meadows and biotopes provide habitats for numerous plant and animal species. Together with Höchstenbach’s location on the valley basin, this offers a nature-focused perspective on the area without requiring you to take an additional hiking section.

Wiedweg sections with different highlights

Another section runs from Linden to Höchstenbach and follows the shore of Dreifelder Weiher. The pond is considered the largest body of water in the Westerwald Lake District. Swimming is possible at the beach area of the Haus am See campsite; a short boat trip on the pond is another option. Check the availability of the beach area and boat trips before your visit.

When choosing a day’s hike, the two sections differ mainly in their stated highlights: the section to Altenkirchen has an estimated duration and difficulty rating. On the section from Linden to Höchstenbach, the pond, its shore and possible water activities are additional features. You can decide whether a longer hike or a connection to the water should be the focus of your trip.

Local history as a second travel highlight

The 13th-century church was renovated with LEADER funding. The General Marcau monument, meanwhile, has been damaged and rebuilt several times. These two themes offer different historical perspectives: the church’s age and renovation are its main points of interest, while the monument’s story centres on repeated damage and rebuilding. If you would like to include cultural history as well as scenery and hiking in your trip, these facts offer two specific points of interest.

Getting there and finding your way on the Wiedweg

Free parking for the Wiedweg is available at the cemetery on Friedhofstraße. The Tankstelle, Höchstenbach bus stop is right on the Wiedweg. If travelling from Hachenburg Markt on weekdays, you can take bus route 420 to this stop; the journey takes about 14 minutes. On weekdays, route 255 is an option for the return journey from Altenkirchen to Höchstenbach.

This means you can take both the car park and the bus stop right on the trail into account when planning. Check current timetables and operating days before setting off; routes may also change. This will help you plan your journey to suit the section you choose for your hiking day.

The Westerwald as a broader travel destination

The WesterwaldSteig offers another scale of hiking in the wider Westerwald travel destination: this long-distance trail runs for 235 kilometres through the Westerwald and comprises 16 sections. Check the current route planner before setting off. If you would also like to explore geological history and industrial heritage, the Westerwald is home to Stöffel-Park, a former basalt quarry site covering around 140 hectares that combines industrial heritage, geological history and nature.

The TERTIÄRUM at Stöffel-Park displays fossils, including the famous “Stöffel mouse.” They document around 25 million years of geological history. The broader Westerwald travel destination therefore offers everything from hiking to regional geology. When choosing accommodation, you can first consider whether Höchstenbach and the Wiedweg should be the focus, or whether you would like to plan a trip around other themes in the Westerwald.

Discover more destinations: Wirges, Krümmel, Luckenbach, Molsberg, Eitelborn, Atzelgift, Hundsdorf, Gehlert

Back to the main travel overview: Westerwald.