Caan: Rocky Paths, Chapel and Clay-Pit History
Accommodation in Caan
Caan combines a striking rocky landscape with traces of clay mining. In the Caaner Schweiz, narrow, rocky paths shape the hiking experience; on the edge of Caan, the former Rainstück clay pit tells the story of the area’s past use of clay. This raises a clear question for your plans: should the focus be on nature and hiking, or would you also like to learn more about the town’s industrial history?
Rocky Paths, Views and the Marienkapelle
The Caaner Schweiz is characterised by rugged rocky cliffs rising from the Sayntal valley. Its narrow, rocky paths make for a challenging hiking experience. When choosing a route, it is worth taking this into account as you plan. A named hiking route, “From Teufelsberg to the Caaner Schweiz,” passes by the Marienkapelle. There is a drinking-water fountain with a fresh-water connection at the chapel.
The Marienkapelle was blessed during an ecumenical service in June 2013. In 2017, it received an altarpiece by church painter Eberhard Münch. These two dates mark different milestones in the chapel’s recent history. The viewpoints offer their own highlights, too: from Teufelsberg, the view extends into the Brexbachtal valley. The GeoBlick on the edge of Nauort offers wide-ranging views across the Westerwald.
A yellow-marked shortcut leads from the Caaner Schweiz to the Caan barbecue hut. Markings and trail conditions can change, so it is best to check them before your hike. This keeps navigation along the path and choosing a suitable hike as two separate points to consider when planning.
Clay Mining and the Landscape at RainstĂĽck
Grube RainstĂĽck, on the edge of Caan, is a former underground and open-pit clay mine. From 1949 to 1960, clay was extracted at the Caan RainstĂĽck clay pit using both open-pit and underground mining. The former open pit is now a small lake. Around the former loading area, remnants of buildings, spoil heaps and terrain features remain. This makes it possible to understand the history of mining not only through its timeline, but also through the different traces left in the landscape.
Another geological feature near Caan is Pfahlberg, above the Sayntal valley: it is a volcano around 800,000 years old. Together, these examples show different aspects of the landscape’s history—from its volcanic origins to the use of clay. If these connections are of particular interest to you, Caan offers opportunities to explore the history of the landscape and work, in addition to its hiking trails.
Caan and the Wider Westerwald Region
If you would like to look beyond Caan itself, you can include the Westerwald as a wider regional destination in your travel plans. The Stöffel-Park offers a distinct focus: on the site of a former basalt quarry covering around 140 hectares, it brings together industrial heritage, the history of the Earth and nature. The TERTIÄRUM displays fossils, including the famous Stöffel mouse, which document around 25 million years of Earth’s history. While Rainstück recalls clay mining on the edge of Caan, a former basalt quarry takes centre stage at Stöffel-Park.
Clayworking is also a museum theme in its own right in the Westerwald. The Westerwald Ceramic Museum presents the history of working with clay; the objects on display mostly originate from Westerwald clay pits. This offers a way to distinguish the local traces at Rainstück from a broader look at the region’s ceramic history.
For longer hiking plans, the Westerwald offers additional, distinct options. The WesterwaldSteig is 235 kilometres long and divided into 16 stages. The Druidensteig covers 94 kilometres over seven day stages, passes through seven river valleys and features more than 30 geo-information points. Before setting out, check the WesterwaldSteig stage details against the current route planner. These trails offer a different scale for travel planning than the rocky paths and local themes around Caan.
When choosing where to stay, it helps to decide on the focus you want: rocky paths, viewpoints and the history of clay point to planning around Caan. If you would also like to include regional hiking trails or geological and ceramic themes, the Westerwald can provide a wider framework for your trip.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Astert, Wirges, Nomborn, Freilingen, Limbach, Gehlert, Bad Marienberg, Ellenhausen.
Back to the main travel overview: Westerwald.
