Discover Nordhofen

Nordhofen brings together natural features and local history: beech and spruce forests shape a hilly landscape, while the church and the former Unterwesterwaldbahn railway offer historical points of interest. Walks, cycling and nature exploration lend the village a variety of charms; the Kleiner Saynbach is also part of the landscape.

Nature and Trails in Nordhofen

Nordhofen lies in a hilly landscape with beech and spruce forests along the disused historic Unterwesterwaldbahn railway. The area offers opportunities for walking, cycling and discovering nature. The Kleiner Saynbach flows through the southern part of the municipality, and offers opportunities for leisurely walks. This gives you a range of activities to choose from when planning your day: cycling and exploring nature, as well as more relaxed walks.

Church and Local History

Nordhofen’s Protestant parish church stands on the main road and is a protected cultural monument. Its Romanesque west tower and nave stand alongside the hipped roof dating from around 1840 and the choir dating from around 1750. The different dates reveal several phases of construction. Nordhofen was first mentioned on 17 June 1259 in connection with its church. Later, the village served as a station on the former Unterwesterwaldbahn railway between Siershahn and Altenkirchen. The church and railway line thus offer two different insights into local history.

Westerwald: Geology, Crafts and Hiking

The wider Westerwald travel region offers further themes for nature and culture enthusiasts. Stöffel Park is a former basalt quarry site covering around 140 hectares in the Westerwald, combining industrial heritage, geological history and nature. Fossils are on display in the TERTIÄRUM at Stöffel Park, including the famous “Stöffel mouse”; they document around 25 million years of geological history. The focus here is on both natural history and the former quarry site.

The Westerwald Ceramic Museum also tells a story of its own about the material: it showcases work with clay, and the objects on display mostly originated in a Westerwald clay pit. Visitors can get creative themselves in the well-equipped museum workshop under expert guidance. If you plan to take part in a workshop, check the programme and booking conditions in advance.

In Hachenburg, in the Westerwald, restored half-timbered houses around the Alter Markt (Old Market) shape the historic town centre; the Löwenbrunnen fountain is also part of its historic character. Hachenburg is also home to the Hachenburger Erlebnis-Brauerei, which offers beer experience tours and brewing courses. Individual appointments can be arranged by phone. Check current booking options if you would like to include one of these experiences in your plans.

Hiking routes in the Westerwald vary in length and number of stages: the WesterwaldSteig is a 235-kilometre long-distance trail through the Westerwald, with 16 stages. The Druidensteig runs for 94 kilometres over seven daily stages through seven river valleys and features more than 30 geo-information points. These details provide a concrete comparison of the routes; the geological information points are an additional feature of the Druidensteig. Before setting off, check the current route planner for the WesterwaldSteig.

Other natural features in the Westerwald offer contrasting landscapes: the Westerwälder Seenplatte is a natural area with seven ponds. The Holzbachschlucht is a breakthrough valley about one kilometre long, with basalt walls up to 30 metres high. Fuchskaute, meanwhile, is the Westerwald’s highest point at 657 metres. Ponds, a gorge and a high point offer three very different landscapes.

If you are looking for accommodation for your trip, first consider whether Nordhofen’s own nature and history are your main focus, or whether you would also like to explore other themes across the wider Westerwald.

Discover more destinations: Rehe, Alsbach, Girod, Höhr-Grenzhausen, Staudt, Wallmerod, Moschheim, Dreisbach

See the overview of the wider travel region: Westerwald.