Dernbach (Westerwald): Monastery, Chapel and Trails

In Dernbach (Westerwald), monastic history and religious places of remembrance meet opportunities for hiking and cycling. The Maria-Hilf monastery complex and the Heilborn Chapel offer different cultural highlights; a hiking trail and a cycling network also connect to the chapel. This lets you decide whether to focus your trip on discovering the history of the place or on outdoor activities.

The Monastery Complex and Maria Katharina Kasper

The Maria-Hilf monastery complex in Dernbach includes a monastery church, built and consecrated in 1861. A triptych from 1876 depicts the founder, Maria Katharina Kasper. The motherhouse houses the exhibition “In Katharina’s Footsteps,” featuring her letters and personal belongings. The architecture, portrait and personal artefacts draw attention to different aspects of the monastery’s history.

Heilborn Chapel: History and Trails

The Heilborn Chapel near Dernbach was built in 1692. It is accompanied by a linden tree that is protected by nature conservation laws. Katharina Kasper used the chapel as a place of prayer and refuge. Believers and patients visit it in search of strength and peace. The Heilborn Chapel is open daily until dusk; access may change. So check access locally before your visit.

The chapel is connected to the WR 2 hiking trail and is also linked to the Aubachroute cycling network. This puts two different ways of getting around in focus: hiking on the WR 2 or cycling on the Aubachroute.

On the Heilbornweg in Dernbach, “Heilborn with Marian Chapel” is one of the attractions. The IVV participation rating for the Heilbornweg is based on the kilometres hiked and is calculated daily. This provides a concrete guide for planning your routes and how participation is rated: the distance covered is what counts, and ratings are calculated daily.

More of the Westerwald: Hiking and Geological History

If you want to include the Westerwald as a broader travel destination beyond Dernbach, you can take a wider view. An interactive hiking-pass system covers the WesterwaldSteig, the Wiedweg, the Wäller Tours and the Kleinen Wäller trails. The WesterwaldSteig is a 235-kilometre long-distance hiking trail through the Westerwald with 16 stages. Check the trail’s length and stage breakdown in the current route planner before you set off. The stages provide a different framework for your planning than the local routes mentioned at the Heilborn Chapel.

Another highlight in the Westerwald is Stöffel-Park: this approximately 140-hectare former basalt quarry combines industrial heritage, geological history and nature. The TERTIÄRUM there displays fossils, including the famous “Stöffel Mouse”; the finds on display document around 25 million years of geological history. This means geological discoveries also complement Dernbach’s religious and historical themes in the Westerwald.

Choose Accommodation Based on Your Destination

If the WesterwaldSteig or Stöffel-Park will also be part of your trip, take the broader region into account when choosing where to stay. Check the location details for specific listings to make sure your choice suits the places you plan to visit.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Dreisbach, Lautzenbrücken, Wied, Montabaur, Nistertal, Staudt, Bilkheim, Goddert.

Back to the regional travel overview: Westerwald.