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Hiking Trail recommended route Stage 17

Lahnwanderweg stage 17 Balduinstein - Obernhof

· 4 reviews · Hiking Trail · Lahntal · Open
Responsible for this content
Lahntal Tourismus Verband e. V. Verified partner  Explorers Choice 
  • Am Lahnwanderweg in den Weinbergen bei Obernhof
    Am Lahnwanderweg in den Weinbergen bei Obernhof
    Photo: Dominik Ketz, © Lahntal Tourismus Verband e. V.
m 300 200 100 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 km Obernhof Bf Bahnhof Laurenburg Rupbach-Brücke Goethepunkt Wolfslei Gabelstein
This stage will be sporty! It even includes a small via ferrata. Highlights of this trail will be wonderful views such as Gabelstein, Wolfslei or Goethepunkt.
Open
difficult
Distance 19.3 km
6:45 h
774 m
798 m
293 m
88 m
It’s all there, in this stage: woodlands and wine, sporty ascents and descents, wonderful views such as Gabelstein, Wolfslei or Goethepunkt and lonely valley cuts. In the communities of Balduinstein and Laurenburg, castles are enthroned high up on the slope. All of this will make some hikers’ hearts beat faster! The stage is quite sporty as there will be some parts where climbing is required. Hence you should make sure to manage your energy well. Over rocks that are partly secured by ropes, you will climb along a ridge. A head for heights and surefootedness are required but you can also choose an easy alternative that doesn’t include climbing. And in Obernhof, charming wine taverns with tasty Lahn wines will be waiting in the evening.

Author’s recommendation

On the way, you will find several possibilities to stop for a refreshment in Laurenburg. If you prefer taking it easy and slowly, split the route and stay in Laurenburg overnight. By then you will have managed a distance of about 10 km.
Profile picture of Jörg Thamer
Author
Jörg Thamer 
Update: February 28, 2023
Quality route according to "Wanderbares Deutschland"
Difficulty
difficult
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
293 m
Lowest point
88 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Track types

Asphalt 3.53%Dirt road 11.82%Forested/wild trail 50.68%Path 28.82%Road 4.21%Unknown 0.90%
Asphalt
0.7 km
Dirt road
2.3 km
Forested/wild trail
9.8 km
Path
5.6 km
Road
0.8 km
Unknown
0.2 km
Show elevation profile

Rest stops

Hotel-Restaurant Balduin
Landhotel Weinhaus Treis
Hotel "Am Goetheberg"

Safety information

On the via ferrata (Goethepunkt) you need a head for heights and should be sure-footed, but there is also an easy (non-climbing) alternative. 

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

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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

 

Touristinformation Bad Ems

Bahnhofplatz, 56130 Bad Ems

Tel. 02603-94150

 

Touristinformation Nassau

Obertal 9a, 56377 Nassau

Tel. 02604-95250

www.badems-nassau.info

 

Start

Balduinstein, Center (114 m)
Coordinates:
DD
50.346556, 7.968646
DMS
50°20'47.6"N 7°58'07.1"E
UTM
32U 426619 5577672
w3w 
///repented.ledgers.fixed

Destination

Obernhof, bridge over river Lahn

Turn-by-turn directions

Look out points are strung together like pearls on a necklace on this stage! At the church in Balduinstein, the markings guide you up a staircase path with a magnificent view of the castle. The Saukopp viewing pavilion offers a fantastic view of the Lahnschleife and Balduinstein. Afterwards the trail leads along the edge of the forest and then through pastures and fields Afterwards the trail leads along the edge of the forest and then through pastures and fields before continuing back into the forest to the Gabelstein-Hölloch nature reserve.

It is well worth making a short detour to the refuge at the Gabelstein where another impressive view is waiting for you. We walk on through the forest and a path takes us down to the "Höllenloch". Here we cross a small bridge and then follow the markings uphill towards Steinsberg. Keep to the right as soon as you enter the village. Crossing meadows, you will reach the edge of the forest.

The Lahnwanderweg trail takes a zigzag path that leads down to the Rupbach and then uphill. In Laurenburg you will cross the river Lahn. Here you can stop for a bite to eat and, if required, you can easily split the stage in two parts at Laurenburg. Afterwards you hike uphill through the former Laurenburg colliery area. Your efforts will be paid off by two more vantage points: The Marienhöhe and the Wolfslei. From here you pass along rock formations and for quite a while along the edge of the forest near Dörnberg. The Liebeslay provides another worthwhile view. Then we idyllically walk through the forest to the Goethepunkt where a viewing plateau is waiting for lovers of spectacular vista.

After an extensive break in this impressive setting, the key question is now to be answered: are you up for the via ferrata? The more difficult variant leads down over rope-secured and non-slip passages. There is also a ladder to overcome. Sure-footedness and a certain degree of a head for heights are required here. The comfortable variant is very easy and to be mastered by everyone. After descending from the Goethepunkt, the first vineyards come into view. Passing charming wine taverns, you will arrive at the Lahn bridge and the railway station.

Note


all notes on protected areas

Public transport

Public-transport-friendly

By train to Balduinstein and Obernhof, www.bahn.com

Getting there

A 3, exit Limburg-Nord, K 26 to Balduinstein, K 25 from Balduinstein to Holzappel, B 417 to Obernhof

Parking

Balduinstein, riverside of Lahn

Obernhof, railway station or behind bridge over river Lahn

 

Coordinates

DD
50.346556, 7.968646
DMS
50°20'47.6"N 7°58'07.1"E
UTM
32U 426619 5577672
w3w 
///repented.ledgers.fixed
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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Recommended maps for this region:

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Equipment

Possibly hiking sticks for two steep ascents respectively descents. Apart from that only ordinary hiking equipment is required. Take backpack vespers and drinks with you.

Questions and answers

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Rating

5.0
(4)
Andreas Roos
May 16, 2022 · Community
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When did you do this route? February 27, 2022
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
Photo: Andreas Roos, Community
Photo: Andreas Roos, Community
Photo: Andreas Roos, Community
Robert Mühlbauer
August 20, 2021 · Community
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Franziska W.
June 22, 2021 · Community
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When did you do this route? June 21, 2021
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+ 21

Status
Open
Reviews
Difficulty
difficult
Distance
19.3 km
Duration
6:45 h
Ascent
774 m
Descent
798 m
Highest point
293 m
Lowest point
88 m
Public-transport-friendly Linear route Multi-stage route Scenic Cultural/historical interest Geological highlights Flora

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