Neunkirchen: Forest Landscapes, Hiking Trails and Culture

Neunkirchen combines a forested low mountain landscape with hiking trails and cultural discoveries. The municipality in the Siegen-Wittgenstein district of North Rhine-Westphalia has a forest cover of 70 percent and is nestled in a low mountain landscape. When planning your trip, you can choose from nature experiences, tours of varying lengths and insights into local history.

Landscape and Geological Traces

The Mahlscheid Nature Reserve extends across Neunkirchen and the town of Herdorf-Daaden. At Malscheid, also known as Mahlscheid, a former basalt crater filled with water and became Silbersee. Another geological feature is Hohenseelbachskopf: the lava cone has a large crater, and remnants of tall basalt columns have also been preserved. The landscape therefore reveals both water and striking traces of volcanic origins.

The E1 long-distance hiking route passes through the municipality of Neunkirchen; the Rothaarsteig runs close to Neunkirchen. Route alignments may change, so check the current route before setting out. The nature reserve and hiking trails offer different ways to include nature and outdoor activity in your trip.

Hiking with Different Themes

The Luisenpfad in Wiederstein offers more than four kilometres of trails and play facilities for children. Facilities may change; check the current details before your visit. Those interested in mining history can follow the Salchendorfer Bergmannspfad, a route of more than eight kilometres that passes former mining and iron-smelting sites.

The route lengths also provide a helpful guide: seven additional circular hiking trails total around 26 kilometres, while the individual Ansichten – Aussichten circular route is 39.43 kilometres long. It is rated as moderately difficult and combines exercise with art: 18 paintings and sculptures by local artists are located along the route. The collection of outdoor artworks may change over time. Listed starting points are the “Steimel” hiking portal, Struthütten railway station and the Familienbad Neunkirchen – Salchendorf stop. Check current route details and starting options before your hike.

A special type of overnight stay is the trekking platform in Neunkirchen Forest. The raised larch-wood platform has seating and a composting toilet; the bookable offer has been available since 2024. Check booking options and seasonal availability before your trip.

Culture and History

Through Kultur am Ort, the municipality organises its own series of events. Check the current programme before your trip. Zeppenfeld Castle offers a historical point of interest: its history dates back to 1378. The building is privately owned; its façade is the remaining visible reminder of the former noble history of Selbach-Zeppenfeld.

The Museum des Freien Grundes has around 600 square metres of exhibition space. Check the current opening hours before your visit. The Wodanstolln visitor mine is also one of the attractions in a district of Neunkirchen; check visiting options in advance. Cultural events, architectural history and mining history thus complement excursions through the landscape.

Getting There and Choosing a Base

You can reach Neunkirchen by car via the Wilnsdorf or Haiger/Burbach exits on the A45. The RB96 HellertalBahn connects Neunkirchen to the rail network via Betzdorf, Haiger and Dillenburg. Timetables may change, so check the current connections before departure. When choosing accommodation, it helps to match your planned hikes and cultural attractions with your arrival arrangements. The route lengths can help you choose the focus of your stay, but they do not indicate a specific walking time.

More Options in the Siegen-Wittgenstein Destination

The wider Siegen-Wittgenstein destination also has additional attractions for a range of interests. The programme at the Südwestfälische Freilichtbühne Freudenberg includes theatre for children and adults. In Hilchenbach, Ginsburg is a distinctive point on the Rothaarsteig and a destination for hiking, nature and local heritage enthusiasts. The platform atop the reconstructed keep offers far-reaching panoramic views. In 2018, the Sauerland-Rothaargebirge Nature Park named Ginsburg one of its jewels. These regional attractions complement the picture of Neunkirchen without conflating the municipality’s landscape and cultural offerings with those of other places.

Discover more destinations: Erndtebrück, Heiligenborn, Bad Laasphe, Bad Berleburg, Kreuztal, Wilnsdorf, Freudenberg, Netphen.

Back to the main travel overview: Siegen-Wittgenstein.