Long Distance Hiking
Route profile
Notice
In the tour planner we inform you under the tab "Current info" about temporary route changes, closures and detours.
To the Tour PlanerThe Druidensteig is around 94 kilometers in 7 stages and is the longest certified geo-route in the National GEOPARK Westerwald-Lahn-Taunus.
Exciting stories from mining and geology are presented at more than 30 stations along the hiking trail. On the way, experience 7 river valleys, 3 geo-information centers, 3 outstanding viewpoints and, as a landmark, the national geotope Druidenstein.
Breathtaking views of the unique landscape are offered in several places. A GeoBlick from the Otto tower near Kirchen gives an overview of the relics of the coal and steel industry in Siegerland. From the Barbaraturm between Malberg and Steinebach / Sieg, on the other hand, you can see almost the entire Westerwald with its diverse mining history.
The focus is on the hiking experience through a unique natural landscape. For more than 10 years, the climb has been labeled "Quality Trail Wanderable Germany" and, as GeoRoute, is the first certified geological themed hiking trail in Germany.
Arriving by car
You can get here by car via the B 62 federal road to Freusburg (between Kirchen and Siegen). Here you leave the main road and follow the signs in the direction of Freusburg Youth Hostel to Kapellenweg in Alt-Freusburg.
Arrival by public transport
The journey takes place as far as the Freusburg-Siedlung train stop. The stop is served by the Westerwald-Sieg-Bahn (RB90) and the Rothaar-Bahn (RB93), which also connect the stations in Kirchen, Betzdorf and Siegen.
Timetable information at www.dreilaenderbahn.de
An approximately 2 km long marked access path (yellow Druidensteig sign) connects the Freusburg-Siedlung train stop with the stage start in the center of Freusburg, Kapellenweg. You can find the corresponding access under https://www.druiden-steig.de/cms/index.php/downloads/gpx-tracks.
Please use the public parking spaces at the end of Kapellenweg opposite the cemetery / Ev. Chapel.
GPS input: Kapellenweg 10, 57548 Kirchen (Sieg)
Stage 1: From Freusburg to Kirchen (Sieg) (11.7 km)
At the start of the first stage, the medieval Freusburg towers high above the river Sieg. A panoramic path connects Freusburg with the town of Kirchen at the heights and offers wonderful views of the Sieg valley.
Highlights:
Freusburg (youth hostel), Otto Pfeiffer Museum, Wilhelmine mine, Sieg panoramic path (Brühlkopf), Wehbach peace cross, Alexanderhöhe with special hiking bench, Tiefer Stollen cobalt ore mine.
Stage 2: From Kirchen (Sieg) to Herdorf (17.6 km)
On this section of the route, the Westerwald reveals itself to be a real low mountain range. The deeply cut Sieg valley has many almost alpine climbs in store. Past the Ottoturm and the Druidenstein, the route continues over the Wasserberg to Herdorf in the Hellertal.
Highlights:
Freusburg Mill, GeoBlick Ottoturm, Kirchen Town Museum, historic Stations of the Cross, National Geotop Druidenstein, Wood Sculpture Trail, GeoInformation Center Mining Museum Herdorf-Sassenroth
Stage 3: From Herdorf to Daaden (12.6 km)
The third stage runs between the mining towns of Herdorf and Daaden. Numerous historic mining sites and huge basalt mining areas bear witness to the region's industrial history. Today, you can enjoy the peace and quiet of nature, which has reclaimed everything.
Highlights:
GeoInformation Center Mining Museum Herdorf-Sassenroth, Herdorf Ironworks, San Fernando mine, relics of the Friedrichshütte, Wolf mine, blue dump of the Alte Mahlscheid mine, Mahlscheid basalt mining area, braking track of the Hohenseelbachskopf basalt quarry, the Hohenseelbachskopf, the Hüllbuche, the mining town of Daaden
Stage 4: From Daaden to the Elkenrother Weiher (13.5 km)
The baroque church in the mining town of Daaden, Friedewald Castle and the Neunkhausen-Weitefelder Plateau characterize the fourth stage of the GeoRoute. Several nature and bird sanctuaries underline the natural landscape of the Westerwald.
Highlights:
GeoPunkt local history museum Daadener Land, Baroque church in Daaden, basalt quarry Schimmerich, Friedewald Castle, Neunkhausen-Weitefelder Plateau, Elkenrother Weiher
Stage 5: From Elkenrother Weiher to Betzdorf (13.2 km)
From the high plateau near Elkenroth, the Druidensteig leads down into the Siegtal. Witches, goblins and even a devil's stone await along the way. At the end of the stage, the railway town of Betzdorf invites you to stop by.
Highlights:
Elkenrother Weiher, Hexeneiche, Grube Käusersteimel, Hümmerstein, Grube Wilhelmsglück, Hüttenschulzehaus, Neugrünebacher Hütte, Eisenbahnstadt Betzdorf
Stage 6: From Betzdorf to Steinebach (9.5 km)
The sixth stage of the GeoRoute leads from the Siegtal up into the Gebhardshainer Land. High basalt peaks with wide views and deeply cut stream valleys with clattering mills are the highlights on the way to the Bindweide mine.
Highlights:
Railway town of Betzdorf, Steinerother Kopf, Dickendorfer Mühle, Bindweide mine visitor mine
Stage 7: From Steinebach to Hachenburg (16.5 km)
The last stage of the Druidensteig begins with a focus on ore mining. The GeoRoute leads through typical Westerwald stream valleys to the Assberg roof slate mine and past the Marienstatt Abbey to the town of Hachenburg with its baroque castle and landscape museum.
Highlights:
GeoInformation Center Bindweide mine, Barbaraturm winding tower, Assberg slate mine, Marienstatt monastery, Kleine Holzbachschlucht, GeoInformation Center Hachenburg Landscape Museum, town of Hachenburg
If you are of the opinion that certain sections of the path are not accessible to you, then you should avoid them. Especially in adverse weather conditions, near-natural paths can lead to muddy and slippery passages. Particularly in autumn, it is important to ensure that the leaves lying on the ground can cover bumps, roots, stones or holes in the path. You should expect this kind of obstacle to the path when you go on a hike. Although the path is consistently very well marked, you should always have a suitable hiking map with you for safety reasons or download the free "Experience Rhineland-Palatinate" app.
Take the mine train into the visitor mine Grube Bindweide - good luck!
A KOMPASS hiking map north including the Druidensteig is available from the Westerwald shop at https://www.westerwald-shop.info/epages/17784951.sf/de_DE/?ObjectPath=/Shops/17784951/Products/129
Landscape Museum Hachenburg, Leipziger Strasse 1, 57627 Hachenburg
Otto Pfeiffer Museum, Burgstrasse 11, 57548 Kirchen-Freusburg
More information & GPX download
Notice
In the tour planner we inform you under the tab "Current info" about temporary route changes, closures and detours.
To the Tour Planer
