WesterwaldSteig - 1st route from campsite to campsite

Description

The starting point of my hike from Heisterberger Weiher to the Krombachtalsperre is the year-round open campsite by the lake. After a refreshing swim, I hike through nature reserves like the Bermershube near Heisterberg to the Fuchskaute. The route is moderate in difficulty, with an elevation gain of 271 meters, and I am equipped with sturdy footwear and practical clothing. From the Fuchskaute downhill, it is 206 meters descent. Shortly before my destination, I visit the town hall in Rehe. The former prayer and schoolhouse is a gem with a beautifully carved Baroque pulpit. Outside Rehe, I already see the Krombachtalsperre, whose nature reserve is a safe haven for water and migratory birds. There is my destination, Welters Camping and Leisure Paradise, surrounded by dense deciduous and fir forests and away from any through traffic.

Approach

Coming from the north or east: take the A45 to exit 26-Herborn-West and from there drive on B255 towards Rennerod/Bad Marienberg/Driedorf

Coming from the south: take the A3 to the Montabaur exit and from there on B255 towards Rennerod/Siegen

Coming from the west: switch from the A560 to B8 and shortly before Altenkirchen take B256 towards Gummersbach/Herborn/Siegen/Hachenburg/Bad Marienberg and continue on B414

Public transport

Unfortunately, there are no direct public transport connections from towns with train stations.

Parking

Free parking at Heisterberger Weiher campsite, Am Weiher 3, 35759 Driedorf

Directions

The Heisterberger Weiher is especially popular in summer for people who come to swim or rent a boat for a quick trip across the water. From the modern, year-round open campsite with accessible sanitary facilities, a playground, volleyball court, kiosk, and restaurant, I set off for a hike on the WesterwaldSteig aiming for Welters Camping and Leisure Paradise at the Krombachtalsperre.

Along the opposite lakeshore, the WesterwaldSteig leads me to the road to Heisterberg and after about 200 meters to the parking lot. There, I cross to the other side of the street and hike nearly two kilometers through the Bremershube nature reserve near Heisterberg, past blooming meadows. Then I cross the L3391, which leads to Waldlaubach, and follow the gentle ascent parallel to the B414 until Waldlaubach can be seen on the right side. After 1.4 kilometers on the natural path, I cross Aulbachstraße and reach after about 2.5 kilometers and a last stretch through the forest the highest elevation of the Westerwald, the Fuchskaute, at 656 meters.

The Fuchskaute is one of the most popular excursion destinations in the Westerwald and for its guests in every season. Wide views over pastureland and descents through spruce forest accompany me, and on my way down I can admire the Fuhrländer wind turbines for a while. After 300 meters on a gravel path, I cross the B414 and hike about 2.2 kilometers further on natural and asphalt paths, past the Homberg to the narrow path that takes me downhill to the Café im Grünen in the Christian Guest Center Westerwald, where I take a short break. Refreshed, I turn right before the café into the forest and follow the Rehbach to Rehe. The path bypasses an industrial area and I reach the creek again past the swimming pool. Then I pass a playground and reach the town hall on Bergstraße. The half-timbered building from the 18th century is adorned with a colorful wooden door richly decorated with ornaments. I follow Bahnhofstraße for about 200 meters and then turn left to leave the town again on the WesterwaldSteig.

After crossing the meadow path, I reach the Krombachtalsperre in about 300 meters, whose southeastern part belongs to Hesse. The northern part of the lake is designated as a 26-hectare nature reserve. Here, great crested grebes and coots breed, and the region is a popular resting place for migratory birds. I walk along the right side of the lake and after one kilometer arrive at my destination, Welters Camping and Leisure Paradise, accessible via a side path.

Safety instructions

• Wear sturdy footwear as well as weather-appropriate, practical clothing that protects you from cold and wet as well as heat and sun.
• Bring enough fluids. Not all places along the way offer refreshments.
• Please wear suitable hiking boots that provide sufficient grip even on slippery, steep, rocky, or uneven paths.
• If you think certain sections of the path are impassable for you, you should avoid them. Especially in adverse weather conditions, natural paths may have muddy and slippery stretches.
• In autumn particularly, be aware that fallen leaves on the ground can cover unevenness, roots, stones, or holes in the path. You must expect these kinds of path impairments during a hike.
• Although the path is very well marked throughout, for safety reasons you should always carry an appropriate hiking map with you.

Equipment

Hiking boots and weather-appropriate clothing recommended

Literature

Leporello hiking map WesterwaldSteig at a scale of 1:25,000 (order at

Destination

Welters Camping and Leisure Paradise, Krombachtalsperre

Starting Point

Heisterberger Weiher Campsite