Westerwälder Seenplatte - Schleife "Helleberg" 7-Weiher-Wanderweg

Description

Experience the diversity of the Westerwald Lake District on the 7-pond hiking trail, "Helleberg" loop (7-HLB)! Start in Freilingen at the cemetery car park and discover a natural paradise full of highlights. After a short walk along the L304, you cross the Saynbach and reach the idyllic beaver pond. Picturesque stepping stones and a playground in Wölferlingen invite you to linger before you can admire the Geschworenen-Linde and the baroque church.

An ascent takes you to Düringen, where a historic fountain awaits you off to the side. A forest path leads to the Helleberg observation tower. Before crossing the B8, a sign provides information about the "Hohe Straße". The Pfaffenstein impresses with an artistic wayside shrine and a wonderful view. Other highlights: the memorial cross in Seifen, the Lourdes grotto made of lava stone and the parish church made of Weidenhahner trachyte.

The route leads back to Freilingen, once an important post station, via the Sayntal. There are also entry points in Wölferlingen and Weidenhahn. A hiking experience that combines history, nature and relaxation!

Approach

From Hachenburg (north): We leave Hachenburg via Steinebacher Strasse. At the end of the town we follow the L292 to Steinebach. In Steinebach we follow Hachenburger Strasse until we follow the L292 again at the end of the town. We follow this road to the end and then turn left onto the B8. We follow the B8 to Freilingen, where we turn left onto Wölferlingerstrasse. At the end of the town we will find the car park of the Freilinger cemetery on the right.

From Selters (southwest): We drive on the L304 to Freilingen. In Freilingen we turn left onto Hohe Strasse. In Freilingen we turn right again onto the L304 (Wölferlinger Str.), which we follow for just under 300 metres. On the right-hand side we will find the car park of the Freilinger cemetery.

From Westerburg (east): We leave Westerburg via Langenhahner Straße and turn right at the end of the road onto the L288. We follow this road to Hinterkirchen, where we turn left onto Westerburger Straße. At the intersection with B255/Koblenzer Straße we turn left and immediately after that slightly right onto Freilinger Straße. We continue to follow the L304 until we see the cemetery on the left before Freilingen. We start the hike from the cemetery's car park.

Public transport

Take bus line 463 from Bad Marienberg / Montabaur to Freilingen.

Taxi company:

Taxi Schmidt: Hachenburg, Tel.: 02662/6119 or 02662/6688

Taxi Uwe Bischoff: Hachenburg, Tel.: 02662/944444

Taxi Kappi-Tullius: Hachenburg, Tel.: 02662/939390

Taxi Hetzler: Selters, Tel.: 02626/6445

Parking

Freilingen: Free parking at the cemetery L 304/Wölferlinger Straße.

Directions

Starting point: Freilingen, car park at the cemetery (Wölferlinger Straße).

1. Follow the L304 towards Wölferlingen for approx. 250 metres.

2. Cross the country road and the large Saynbach.

3. You reach the idyllic beaver pond and continue along a tributary of the Saynbach with stepping stones.

4. At the playground opposite the cemetery in Wölferlingen, benches along the cemetery avenue invite you to linger.

5. Continue to the Geschworenen-Linde and the Protestant church in the southern German Baroque style.

Ascent to Düringen:

6. Follow a field path to the outskirts of Düringen.

7. In Düringen you reach the well chamber off the path.

Ascent to Helleberg:

8. A beautiful forest path leads you to Helleberg with its observation tower.

9. Before crossing the B8, an information board informs you about the historical significance of the "Hohen Straße".

Through the forest at Pfaffenstein:

10. At Pfaffenstein you can discover an artistic wayside shrine and a bench with a view of Weidenhahn.

11. Then you pass the memorial cross in Seifen.

12. The Lourdes grotto made of lava stone is another highlight.

13. In Weidenhahn the parish church made of Weidenhahn trachyte is impressive.

Return to Freilingen:

14. The descent leads into the Sayntal, where you cross the Saynbach on a bridge in Maxsain-Zürbach.

15. After a long climb you reach Freilingen, where seating invites you to rest.

Tip: Freilingen, once an important post station between Cologne and Frankfurt, offers historical insights.

Alternative entry points:

Wölferlingen, cemetery car park.

Weidenhahn, car park at the community center opposite the church.

Safety instructions

• If you think that certain sections of the trail are not suitable for you, you should avoid them. In adverse weather conditions, natural trails can become muddy and slippery.
• In autumn in particular, you should be aware that leaves lying on the ground can cover bumps, roots, stones or holes in the trail. You must expect this type of disruption to the trail when you go hiking.
• Although the trail is very well-marked throughout, you should always have a suitable hiking map with you for safety reasons.

Equipment

• Wear sturdy shoes and weather-appropriate, practical clothing that protects you from cold and wetness or heat and sun.
• Take enough liquid with you. There are not always places to stop for refreshments.
• Please wear suitable hiking shoes on the trail that provide sufficient grip even on slippery and steep or rocky and uneven paths.

Tips

The bench at the Bilderstock "Am Pfaffenstein" in Weidenhahn not only offers a short breather, but also a wonderful view over the Westerwald landscape.

Destination

56244 Freilingen, Parkplatz am Friedhof (Wölferlinger Straße)

Starting Point

56244 Freilingen, Parkplatz am Friedhof (Wölferlinger Straße)