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Hiking Trail recommended route Stage 11

Lahnwanderweg stage 11 Wetzlar - Braunfels

· 3 reviews · Hiking Trail · Lahntal · Open
Responsible for this content
Lahntal Tourismus Verband e. V. Verified partner  Explorers Choice 
  • Photo: Dominik Ketz, © Lahntal Tourismus Verband e. V.
Starting from Wetzlar, the route climbs up to the castle ruins of Kalsmunt. Moreover, you will walk through the nature and bird sanctuary Weinberg to get to the picturesque town of Wetzlar. Although this stage is rather short, it has a lot to offer.
Open
easy
Distance 13 km
4:15 h
237 m
151 m
291 m
151 m
History and stories characterize today's stage. In the past Kalsmunt castle ruins protected Wetzlar and the "Hohe Straße" which used to be a very important trade route from Köln to Frankfurt. In the nature and bird sanctuary Weinberg, nature and landscape lovers will feel very comfortable. The protected area is home to many rare animal and plant species and, as in the past, is still grazed with sheep. Three to four times a year a wandering shepherd moves across the meadows with more than 800 animals. The destination of this stage is the scenic Braunfels with its fairytale castle, the old town and the Herrengarten.

Author’s recommendation

Definitely visit Braunfels castle with a guided tour: www.schloss-braunfels.de
Profile picture of Jörg Thamer
Author
Jörg Thamer 
Update: June 28, 2023
Quality route according to "Wanderbares Deutschland"
Difficulty
easy
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
291 m
Lowest point
151 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Track types

Asphalt 13.61%Dirt road 37.23%Forested/wild trail 34.48%Path 11.65%Road 3%
Asphalt
1.8 km
Dirt road
4.9 km
Forested/wild trail
4.5 km
Path
1.5 km
Road
0.4 km
Show elevation profile

Rest stops

Kaffee Danin
Lahn-Café am Rosengärtchen
Restaurant Hauptwache
Ristorante La Piazza
Palais Bar & Restaurant
Eiscafé Ponte Vecchio
Restaurant Shiva
Ventura - Feinkost aus Spanien
Bistro der Lebenshilfe
Café Leitz im Leitz-Park
Café Born
Eiscafé Bacio am Schillerplatz
Restaurant Platia
Ludwig´s Bar Restaurant
Konditorei/Cafe Vogel

Safety information

For information on diversions and relocations, please see our "Current Information".

Information on restrictions in the rail network can be found here.

Tips and hints

Lahnwanderweg

Lahnwanderweg Facebook

Lahnwanderweg Instagram

Collecting memories with the hiking pass

 

The free pocket guide "Lahnwanderweg" and further information are available at www.daslahntal.de and from

 

Lahntal Tourismus Verband e. V.

Brückenstraße 2, 35576 Wetzlar

Tel. 06441-30998-0

 

www.daslahntal.de

info@daslahntal.de

 

Tourist-Information Wetzlar

Domplatz 8, 35578 Wetzlar

Tel. 06441/99-7755

www.wetzlar-tourismus.de

Start

Wetzlar, Eisenmarkt (35578 Wetzlar) (163 m)
Coordinates:
DD
50.555225, 8.500779
DMS
50°33'18.8"N 8°30'02.8"E
UTM
32U 464636 5600485
w3w 
///already.spell.drainage

Destination

Braunfels, market place

Turn-by-turn directions

The stage starts at Eisenmarkt in the picturesque old town of Wetzlar. From here the trail leads past pretty half-timbered houses on to Schillerplatz. There you have to turn right to the traffic lights. Here you cross the Karl-Kellner-Ring and next the trail climbs towards Kalsmunt. The castle ruins are located at 243 meters above sea level. Kalsmunt was built under Emperor Friedrich Barbarossa. Climbing the tower of the castle ruins is a must-do! You won't find another place where you can enjoy such an impressive view of Wetzlar.

Downhill, passing a playground, you hike down the street "Kalsmunt Westhang". After about 200 meters keep left. Now the path will gently take you up and down through the forest towards the "Weinberg" nature and bird sanctuary with its rich flora and fauna. If you are lucky you might meet the wandering shepherd. But nevertheless, nature and landscape lovers will find plenty of pleasure here.

On a wide and gravel passage you continue. A sign at the wayside remembers the pit Amanda which used to be the most productive mine in the area of Wetzlar. Further on, by following the markings you reach the Feldbergblick lookout point. Here, you can look deeply into the mountains of the Taunus whenever the weather is good. Afterwards, the Lahnwanderweg trail leads along the edge of the forest to the Margaretenhöhe pit. Keep to the right there and further on walk downwards to the Eisenberg.

From there it is still about 1.5 km to the outskirts of Oberndorf. In the distance, you can see Braunfels castle in its fairytale magnificence on the hillside. Through the Kurpark (Herrengarten) one strolls comfortably up to the market place and the castle. The little town of Braunfels promises varied hours - both cultural and culinary.

Public transport

Public-transport-friendly

By train to Wetzlar, with bus line 180 back to Leun/Braunfels station, www.bahn.com

By bus from Braunfels (Europaplatz) to Wetzlar ZOB or vice versa. Also at www.bahn.com

By road

B49 to  Wetzlar or L3025 from Leun to Braunfels

Parking

"Lahnufer" in Wetzlar or at the north side of the railway station; in Braunfels below castle.

Coordinates

DD
50.555225, 8.500779
DMS
50°33'18.8"N 8°30'02.8"E
UTM
32U 464636 5600485
w3w 
///already.spell.drainage
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike

Book recommendation by the author

Pocketguide "Lahnwanderweg" (free) at  www.daslahntal.de or order at Lahntal Tourismus Verband (see "details") 

Hikeline Lahnwanderweg, 14,90 €, 1. Auflage 2014 ISBN: 978-3-85000-535-7

Rother Wanderführer Lahnwanderweg, 14,90 €, 1. Auflage 2016 ISBN: 978-3-7633-4492-5

Author’s map recommendations

Rheinland-Pfalz-App free download

Book recommendations for this region:

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Equipment

Ordinary hiking equipment required. Take backpack vespers and drinks with you.

Questions and answers

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Rating

4.3
(3)
Michael Flauaus
June 04, 2023 · Community
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Route done on June 01, 2023
Caro Debus
April 23, 2022 · Community
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Route done on February 02, 2022
Photo: Caro Debus, Community
Photo: Caro Debus, Community
Photo: Caro Debus, Community
Photo: Caro Debus, Community
Photo: Caro Debus, Community
Photo: Caro Debus, Community
Photo: Caro Debus, Community
Photo: Caro Debus, Community
Photo: Caro Debus, Community
Photo: Caro Debus, Community
Photo: Caro Debus, Community
Photo: Caro Debus, Community
Photo: Caro Debus, Community
Andreas Roos
October 03, 2021 · Community
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Route done on September 17, 2021
Photo: Andreas Roos, Community
Photo: Andreas Roos, Community
Photo: Andreas Roos, Community
Photo: Andreas Roos, Community
Photo: Andreas Roos, Community
Photo: Andreas Roos, Community
Photo: Andreas Roos, Community
Photo: Andreas Roos, Community
Photo: Andreas Roos, Community
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Status
Open
Reviews
Difficulty
easy
Distance
13 km
Duration
4:15 h
Ascent
237 m
Descent
151 m
Highest point
291 m
Lowest point
151 m
Public-transport-friendly Multi-stage route Scenic Cultural/historical interest Flora Linear route

Weather at the route's trailhead

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  • 34 Waypoints
  • 34 Waypoints
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