recommended route
Halterweg - The way of the tow horses
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Alter Markt in Diez - StartPhoto: Dominik Ketz, Lahntal Tourismus Verband e. V.
For the halterers, i.e. the treidlers who led the horses by the halter, it was important to find the easiest possible way back to conserve the animals' strength. That is why they chose the almost 19 km long route over the heights - instead of the 27 km along the river bank. And, of course, they also looked for wide paths with moderate gradients for the benefit of the horses.
Author’s recommendation
Track types
Tips and hints
www.urlaub-in-diez.deStart
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
Cross the bridge and turn right at the roundabout up St. Peter-Weg to St. Peter's Church. We stay on the right on the asphalted path and reach Heistenbach, which could be described as a "horse village", through meadows and pastures. Follow the well-marked halter path into St. Peter-Straße, then turn right into Altendiezer Straße and finally take the 2nd left into Wiesenstraße.
A little above the Heistenbach stream, you walk uphill, first along the edge of the forest, then into the beech forest. The path climbs gently to the Scheurenwiese meadow on the right. This large clearing indicates that the village of Scheuren was once located here. Its inhabitants died during the plague epidemic in the 16th century and the village fell desolate. At the edge of the forest, the small Wilhelmshütte offers shelter from the rain.
The long and leisurely ascent ends at the Hirschberg fields below the Blickerstein (365 m). Here you hike into the Schaumburg forest above Hirschberg with the most beautiful panoramic views of the Westerwald, the Lahn valley and the Taunus.
The Schaumburg, which gives its name, towers unmistakably on the southern edge of the Lahn valley.
The trail continues leisurely through the forest to Lake Hertha. The path around the bathing lake normally leads along its north and west shores and an open back gate. When there is fee-paying bathing traffic, you have to cross the B 417 briefly, take the 1st road on the right with a pavement (!) through the fields to rejoin the Halfterweg.
Below the edge of the forest, you pass through Charlottenberg on the K 22. This asphalt road is the original route, old routings just prove themselves! At the end of Charlottenberg, an obelisk commemorates Princess Elisabeth Charlotte, who granted asylum to Protestants, Waldensians, who were driven out of France in the 17th century.
Another short stretch of district road and you descend through the forest into the vineyards of Obernhof. Right at the first houses, there are good opportunities to finish the tour with a glass of wine and a snack. From here, there is only a short stretch down to the Lahn, over the bridge and immediately left to the railway station.
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
With the Lahntalbahn from Diez or Obernhof, www.bahn.deBy road
The starting point in Diez can be reached via the A3, exit Diez or Limburg Süd, in each case follow the signs to Diez.Free parking is available on the "Bolzplatz" at the Lahn bridge. From there, you can quickly find the entrance in the roundabout with the sign to St. Peter's Church.
If you travel by train, follow Wilhelmstraße from the station in Diez, then continue along Altstadtstraße to reach the Alter Markt. From there, the Halfterweg is signposted.
Parking
Temporary and free parking:Diez, car park "Bolzplatz" on the Lahn (access via roundabout B 417 at the Lahn bridge)
Coordinates
Book recommendations for this region:
Equipment
The trail can be walked all year round. Due to the wide field and forest paths, the Halfterweg is also very suitable for hiking groups. Large rucksack provisions are not necessary, as there is a good place to stop at Herthasee (note opening times).Statistics
- 7 Waypoints
- 7 Waypoints
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