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Hiking Trail recommended route Stage 3

Lahnwanderweg stage 17 upstream Obernhof - Balduinstein

· 4 reviews · Hiking Trail · Lahntal · Open
Responsible for this content
Lahntal Tourismus Verband e. V. Verified partner  Explorers Choice 
  • Klettersteig Obernhof
    Klettersteig Obernhof
    Photo: Jörg Thamer, © 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 Goethepunkt, Wolfslei or Gabelstein.
Open
difficult
Distance 19.3 km
6:45 h
798 m
774 m
293 m
88 m
It’s all there, in this stage: woodlands and wine, sporty ascents and descents, wonderful views such as Goethepunkt, Wolfslei or Gabelstein 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.

Author’s recommendation

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 0.09%Road 0.61%Unknown 0.33%
Asphalt
0.7 km
Dirt road
0 km
Road
0.1 km
Unknown
0.1 km
Show elevation profile

Rest stops

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

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

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

 

Touristinformation Bad Ems

Bahnhofplatz, 56130 Bad Ems

Tel. 02603-94150

 

Touristinformation Nassau

Obertal 9a, 56377 Nassau

Tel. 02604-95250

www.badems-nassau.info

 

Start

Obernhof, bridge over river Lahn (89 m)
Coordinates:
DD
50.315871, 7.851763
DMS
50°18'57.1"N 7°51'06.3"E
UTM
32U 418250 5574382
w3w 
///freebie.teacup.overtime

Destination

Center of Balduinstein

Turn-by-turn directions

There will be a couple of breathtaking viewpoints on this stage! Across the Lahnbrücke and past rustic wine taverns, the route goes steeply uphill through Obernhof. It is worth turning around every now and then to take a look at Arnstein monastery on the opposite bank of the Lahn. Now you have to decide: are you up for the via ferrata? The more difficult variant leads over rope-secured and non-slip passages, the comfortable variant is much easier to master.

A viewing plateau at Goethepunkt awaits you with a spectacular vista. From then on, the trail leads us quietly and idyllically through the forest, over meadow ways and past rock formations to the Wolfslei. After a panoramic rest, we will hike across the Flotationshalde further down to Laurenburg.

In Laurenburg you will cross the river Lahn. On the other side of the Lahn, the trail continues through the forest and zigzags down to the Ruppachbrücke. A sporty ascent is waiting for you to get in the direction of Steinsberg. Through the Höllenloch the trail leads to the refuge at the Gabelstein where another impressive view is waiting for you.

After leaving the forest of the Gabelstein-Hölloch nature reserve, the majestic Schaumburg castle appears. At the Saukopp you will have one last chance to have a gigantic view of the Lahnschleife after which the way leads down to Balduinstein. Restaurants and cozy pubs are waiting for you and invite you to stop for a bite to eat.

Note


all notes on protected areas

Public transport

Public-transport-friendly

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

Getting there

A3 exit Limburg-Nord, B417, K26 to Balduinstein, K25 from Balduinstein to Holzappel, B417 to Obernhof

Parking

Obernhof, railway station or behind bridge over river Lahn

Balduinstein, riverside of Lahn

Coordinates

DD
50.315871, 7.851763
DMS
50°18'57.1"N 7°51'06.3"E
UTM
32U 418250 5574382
w3w 
///freebie.teacup.overtime
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

4.5
(4)
Bettina Werner 
July 31, 2021 · Community
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Petra S 
January 25, 2021 · Community
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When did you do this route? January 22, 2021
Photo: Petra S, Community
Photo: Petra S, Community
Photo: Petra S, Community
Ma Rs
June 01, 2020 · Community
Show more
When did you do this route? May 31, 2020
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Photos from others

+ 5

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

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