Fürthen: The Siegbogen, border history and trails

Fürthen lies directly on the border with North Rhine-Westphalia; at the same time, a large bend in the Sieg encircles the area. The river landscape and border history define two distinctive aspects of this destination. There are also cycling and hiking trails of varying lengths and types. When planning your trip, you can therefore make nature, history and outdoor activities your own priorities.

From the river bend to the border

The Sieg forms a large loop around Fürthen. Another stream tells the story of changing borders: historically, the Bellingerbach formed the boundary between Berg and Sayn, and today it is the state border between Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia. This waterway therefore brings together a former territorial boundary and a present-day state border.

Fürthen’s border history goes beyond the course of the stream. Disputed territorial rights were settled by the Siegburg Agreement of 1604 and a supplementary treaty of 1607. These dates give the border location a historical dimension: the area is shaped not only by its position on today’s state border, but also by earlier disputes over rights and jurisdiction.

Getting here and finding your way around

Au (Sieg) station on the Cologne–Siegen line is about a 15-minute walk from Fürthen. If you are planning to arrive by train, you can factor this walking time into your choice of accommodation. It provides a concrete point of reference without limiting your stay to a single route or theme.

Exploring on foot and by bike

The Sieg Cycle Route passes through Fürthen and continues towards Windeck-Au and Hamm/Sieg. Check the trail conditions and signage before setting out. Another cycling option is the 42.8-kilometre Hammer Berg- und Tal-Tour. It passes through Opsen and also runs through the Siegbogen in Opperzau and along the Bellingerbach valley towards Wäldchen.

For hikers, the Wäller Tour Raiffeisens Sonntagsspaziergang reaches the Siegbogen in Fürthen. The circular hike is about 7 kilometres long. North of the Sieg, parts of Fürthen lie in the Holperbachtal, which also has hiking trails. The options therefore differ both in activity and stated distance: a hike of around 7 kilometres compared with a 42.8-kilometre circular cycling route.

For families who want to include different interests in their day’s plans, several themes come together here: the river landscape, border history, and routes to explore on foot or by bike. When choosing a place to stay, you can weigh the journey and planned activities according to your own priorities. If you plan to arrive by train, take the walk to the station into account; if cycling or hiking is your main focus, you can make the routes described here a priority in your planning.

More to explore in the wider Altenkirchen destination

The wider Altenkirchen destination offers further historical and natural highlights. In 1849, Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen founded the “Flammersfelder Hülfsverein zur Unterstützung unbemittelter Landwirthe” (Flammersfeld Aid Association for the Support of Underprivileged Farmers) in Flammersfeld—the world’s first cooperative credit society. Flammersfeld is in the district of Altenkirchen. In Marienthal, the Klosterdorfweg (Monastery Village Trail) winds around the former Franciscan monastery through the shaded Kurwald forest of the Archdiocese of Cologne. Marienthal is still a popular pilgrimage site today.

Discover more destinations: Selbach (Sieg), Altenkirchen, Niederdreisbach, Neitersen, Obererbach, Daaden, Gebhardshain, Kirchen.

Back to the wider travel overview: Altenkirchen.