Discover Kölbingen

The chapel area in Schönberg adds a striking historical touch. The wider Westerwald travel region broadens your plans with hiking trails, landscapes, and cultural discoveries.

Schönberg: Half-Timbered Architecture and Chapel History

Well-preserved old half-timbered houses stand around the old chapel in Schönberg. Together, they shape a compact historic townscape. The chapel’s history also goes back a long way: its location was first mentioned in 1494. After the chapel was destroyed, it was rebuilt in 1714; today it serves as a cemetery chapel. The half-timbered area and the building’s history give the historic architecture a tangible setting.

Hiking in the Wider Westerwald Travel Region

The southern Westerwald is known as a hiking region of stream valleys, wooded hills, and wide meadows. The Westerwald hiking trail network covers 1,000 kilometers, ranging from easy walks to panoramic and adventure tours. The region therefore offers trails with a variety of profiles, without implying that they all suit the same day of hiking.

Two long-distance trails illustrate different lengths and stage layouts: the WesterwaldSteig is 235 kilometers long and has 16 stages. The Druidensteig extends for 94 kilometers over seven daily stages, passes through seven river valleys, and offers more than 30 geo-information points. If you are planning a route, check the route details in the current route planner.

Natural Attractions in the Westerwald

The Westerwald Lake District is a natural area with seven ponds. The Holzbach Gorge offers a different kind of landscape: this breakthrough valley, about one kilometer long, is defined by basalt walls up to 30 meters high. At 657 meters, the Fuchskaute is the highest elevation in the Westerwald.

On the “Weltende” nature trail in the Kroppacher Schweiz, narrow paths alternate with natural trails. Some sections are secured with wire ropes; along the way, views open up over the Nister valley. As conditions and access may vary seasonally, check before setting out.

Geological History, Crafts, and Townscapes

The Stöffel Park is a former basalt quarry covering around 140 hectares, where industrial heritage, geological history, and nature come together. The TERTIÄRUM displays fossils, including the famous “Stöffel Mouse”; they document around 25 million years of geological history. The two themes complement each other: the grounds illustrate the history of the quarry, while the exhibition focuses on fossils and geological eras.

The history of working with clay is at the heart of the Westerwald Ceramic Museum. The objects on display mostly originated in a Westerwald clay pit. In a well-equipped museum workshop, visitors can get creative themselves under expert guidance. Check the workshop program and booking conditions before your trip.

Hachenburg also adds a cultural highlight to the Westerwald: its historic town center is defined by restored half-timbered houses around the Alter Markt; the Löwenbrunnen fountain is part of the historic setting. Hachenburg’s Erlebnis-Brauerei offers beer experience tours and brewing courses. Individual appointments can be arranged by phone; check current booking arrangements directly with the brewery.

Choose a Travel Focus for Your Accommodation Search

When looking for accommodation in Kölbingen, you can first consider what you want your stay to focus on: hiking and landscapes, or geological history, crafts, and historic architecture.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Alsbach, Rehe, Guckheim, Ötzingen, Berod Bei Wallmerod, Freilingen, Rennerod, Nomborn.

Back to the wider travel overview: Westerwald.