WesterwaldSteig adventure loop "Hills, lakes and a gorge

Description

The area around the town of Rennerod presents itself to the visitor as a gently rolling plateau with small forests and green meadows at a rather rough altitude for low mountain ranges. The presented hike leads from Rennerod for a large part over the Westerwald-Steig into the Holzbachschlucht (gorge), one of the oldest Westerwald nature reserves. Already in 1929 Prussian authorities placed the gorge under protection. The visitor is presented with a picture as if painted: Maple, ash and elm trees bend at an acute angle over crystal-clear water that gurgles and falls over mighty stones. Rock walls tower 30 m high steeply into the sky. For tens of thousands of years the Holzbach has worked on this idyll, boring its way millimetre by millimetre through the basalt and creating one of the most impressive brook openings in the Westerwald. Especially as the vegetation is the same as in the past: there are beech hall forests, bizarre dead wood formations and numerous wild herbs. On both sides of the brook a path leads the hikers through nature. Boards with explanations are placed everywhere and make it easier for visitors to identify plants and animals.

Approach

Coming from the south or north via the B54 to Rennerod

coming from the west or east via the B255 to Rennerod

in Rennerod follow the main road to the centre of the village/ turn-off to Westernoher Straße

in Westernoher Straße you will find the Tourist Information on the left-hand side.

Public transport

by ICE to Montabaur and continue with line 480 to Rennerod (Busbf).

by Vectus train to Westerburg station and continue with line 116 to Rennerod (Busbf)

www.vrminfo.de

www.bahn.de

Parking

Parking at the Tourist Information, Westernoher Str. 7 a, 56477 Rennerod

Directions

In the centre of Rennerod, cross the main road (B54) from the tourist information office, turn right onto the cemetery path and walk uphill. Pass the cemetery and continue straight on to the edge of the forest, then follow the signs for the WesterwaldSteig on the left. The path leads past the legendary Seitenstein - a basalt formation that rises about 20 m out of the ground. The trail continues to the K51 (Hellenhahn-Schellenberg-Seck), which is crossed. The path leads past the Great and Small Secker Ponds. At the Großer Secker Weiher there is a camping site with a restaurant. Following the signs of the WesterwaldSteig, you will reach the Dapprich farm. The path leads into the Holzbachschlucht nature reserve. This can be circumnavigated in both directions on natural paths following the hiking trail R29. A bridge at the end of the gorge connects both sides of the bank. Back at Hof Dapprich (refreshment possibility in the Hofcafe) you continue on the R24 towards Seck. First on a small path, later on a gravel path, the trail leads to the entrance of Seck, where, after crossing the main road, we turn left on the R21 and walk along the Ferdinand-Werner-Straße and Schinnhohl to the church. Turn left at the cemetery and left again at the fire station into Hellenhahner Straße, then turn right over Fackenhahner Weg and leave the village and follow the main R21 path back to Rennerod.

Safety instructions

Each section of the trail is marked as a hiking trail with at least one independent sign. However, it is expressly pointed out that this adventure loop does not have a continuous independent marking sign. Therefore, orientation safety in the terrain and basic knowledge of maps are required.

Equipment

GPS device or printed tour description (although the loop runs on signposted paths, it is not marked with its own signpost on the spot)

Hiking boots

Weather-adapted, functional clothing

Tips

Stop at the Hofcafé Dapprich at the entrance to the Holzbachschlucht. Home-baked cakes and tarts or a hearty snack await you here.

Destination

Tourist Information Hoher Westerwald, Westernoher Str. 7 a, 56477 Rennerod

Starting Point

Tourist Information Hoher Westerwald, Westernoher Str. 7 a, 56477 Rennerod