Kemmenau – Hiking on the Limes

Kemmenau combines trails through the countryside with clearly visible traces of the Roman Limes. It runs directly behind the village. There is also a hiking trail towards the Lahn Valley, a hill with wide-ranging views, and historic buildings and objects in the village. Kemmenau lies in the Nassau Nature Park and is a state-recognised recreational resort. This gives you several starting points for planning your trip: hiking, local history and other outdoor activities.

Hiking on the Limes and towards the Lahn Valley

Near Kemmenau, the Limes hiking trail runs directly alongside the Limes and leads towards the Lahn Valley. A sign beside the Limes explains its function. A hike here brings together the landscape and Roman history: the border fortification is clearly visible, and its function is explained on site.

The Lahn-Westerwald loop climbs up to Kemmenau and onto the terrace above the Lahn Valley. It reaches the village at an information board about the Limes. In the village, the route follows the upper road and crosses the car park named Bikepark. On leaving Kemmenau, it passes a riding stable. This route description connects the Limes with the ascent to the terrace above the valley.

Another hiking option is a circular trail that passes the renovated horse trough and the White Stone. Kemmenau offers hiking opportunities all year round. The trails described have different highlights: the Limes hiking trail follows the Limes towards the Lahn Valley, while the circular trail passes the horse trough and the White Stone. A natural Kneipp facility adds to the local options.

Local history and activities

There are also specific historic landmarks in the village. Kemmenau Church was consecrated in 1970 and stands on a hill with wide-ranging views. Its bells are known as the Peace Bell and the Lord’s Prayer Bell. The former school building at An der Schule 5 dates from 1908 and was built in the Reform style. At Backhausstraße 2, there is a cast-iron pump well that may date from the second half of the 19th century.

Activities include horse riding, carriage rides and tennis; groomed cross-country ski trails are mentioned for winter. This seasonal distinction is useful when planning a trip: hiking is possible all year round, while the trails are a winter option. You can therefore choose your focus according to when you travel, without treating the activities as interchangeable. The village’s cultural heritage offers a different kind of experience from trails and outdoor exercise.

Kemmenau in the Rhein-Lahn travel destination

The wider Rhein-Lahn travel destination extends beyond Kemmenau: the Roman Limes runs through the Rhein-Lahn district, and its visible remains are part of the Upper Germanic-Rhaetian Limes UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Limes is therefore both a distinctive feature of Kemmenau and part of the region’s cultural heritage.

When looking for accommodation in Kemmenau, you can first decide what you want to focus on during your trip: would you like hiking on the Limes and towards the Lahn Valley to take centre stage, or would you also like to include local history and other activities?

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Nassau, Oberneisen, Katzenelnbogen, Hahnstätten, Lahnstein, Bad Ems, Bettendorf, Loreley.

Go to the main travel overview: Rhein-Lahn.