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Lahnwanderweg 01-19 (entire tour, tour with stages)

Long Distance Hiking · Lahntal · Open
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Lahntal Tourismus Verband e. V. Verified partner  Explorers Choice 
  • The little trickle leaving the spring pond ist the start of the river Lahn - stage 1
    The little trickle leaving the spring pond ist the start of the river Lahn - stage 1
    Photo: Paavo Blåfield, © Lahntal Tourismus Verband e. V.
The Lahnwanderweg trail will make hikers‘ dreams come true. You will definetely get what is written in the hiking concept of the Lahnwanderweg trail: Hiking in a multi-faceted realm.
Open
moderate
Distance 294.5 km
86:00 h
6,522 m
7,026 m
664 m
61 m
The Lahnwanderweg trail roams the landscapes of the valley of the river Lahn thereby charmingly linking lively places and their sights. There will be plenty of possibilities to step outside of your daily routines and enjoy nature. The landscape at the source of the Lahn and in the upper Lahn valley is a dreamlike enchantment. The floodplain landscapes in the middle Lahn valley offer plenty of chances to look into the distance and in the lower Lahn valley the river meanders along precipitous rocks in a wild and romantic way. With a total distance of 290 kilometers, the Lahnwanderweg trail reveals the full beauty of the river valley and the surrounding mountain area with its sublime castles and palaces, its lively villages and towns and its peaceful forests and floodplains. You can even try to accomplish an easy via ferrata. Either way, there will be magnificent views at different parts of the route. Besides, the train connections are excellent.

Author’s recommendation

Tour suggestions for long hiking weekends: 
  • Lahnquelle - Biedenkopf (3 stages)
  • Biedenkopf – Marburg (3 stages)
  • Marburg – Gießen (3 stages)
  • Gießen – Weilburg (4 stages)
  • Weilburg – Balduinstein (4 stages)
  • Balduinstein – Lahnstein (3 stages)
Profile picture of Jörg Thamer
Author
Jörg Thamer 
Update: April 20, 2023
Quality route according to "Wanderbares Deutschland"
Difficulty
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
664 m
Lowest point
61 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Track types

Asphalt 9.84%Dirt road 36.32%Forested/wild trail 40.48%Path 10.62%Road 2.67%Unknown 0.04%
Asphalt
29 km
Dirt road
107 km
Forested/wild trail
119.2 km
Path
31.3 km
Road
7.9 km
Unknown
0.1 km
Show elevation profile

Rest stops

Romantik Landhotel Doerr
Restaurant Seeblick
Landgasthof Der Katzenbacher
Burg Gleiberg
Landhotel Naunheimer Mühle
Café Leitz im Leitz-Park
Ristorante La Piazza
Lahn-Café am Rosengärtchen
Restaurant Hauptwache
Palais Bar & Restaurant
Kaffee Danin
Restaurant Shiva
Eiscafé Ponte Vecchio
Ventura - Feinkost aus Spanien
Bistro der Lebenshilfe
Ludwig´s Bar Restaurant
Café Born
Eiscafé Bacio am Schillerplatz
Restaurant Platia
Hotel-Restaurant Balduin
Hotel "Am Goetheberg"
Landhotel Weinhaus Treis
Hotel-Restaurant "Nassauer Löwen"
Hotel-Restaurant Zur Krone
Pension-Restaurant Mediterran
Nassau Castle
Hotel Restaurant Gasthaus Lahnhof
Restaurant & Café Concordiaturm
Hotel Restaurant Adria
ehem. Kloster Allerheiligenberg
Pension Historisches Wirtshaus an der Lahn
Bock Hotel Restaurant

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

Start

Source of river Lahn near Netphen (Forsthaus Lahnquelle, Lahnhof 1, 57250 Netphen) (606 m)
Coordinates:
DD
50.892508, 8.241335
DMS
50°53'33.0"N 8°14'28.8"E
UTM
32U 446642 5638145
w3w 
///clock.dare.obtaining

Destination

Lahnstein-Niederlahnstein (afterwards, take the access route in the direction of Niederlahnstein railway station, Bahnhofstraße 1, 56112 Lahnstein)

Turn-by-turn directions

The daily stages start at the banks of the river Lahn and most of them lead up into the heights as well as into the side valleys. Because of this, cyclists and hikers do not get into each other’s way. The Lahn hiking trail takes you past numerous castles and palaces. Interesting rock formations and vantage points add up to the hiking experience. Hikers can even enjoy an exciting route which includes a number of great views. The Kammweg (small via ferrata) before the Goethepunkt near Obernhof will be a good choice for the brave ones but you can also find a leisurely variant. Underground experiences such as the Kubacher Kristallhöhle or the exciting Ruppertsklamm gorge provide cooling on hot summer days.

The Lahnwanderweg trail connects numerous towns such as Bad Laasphe, Biedenkopf, Marburg, Gießen, Wetzlar, Braunfels, Weilburg, Limburg, Diez, Nassau, Bad Ems and Lahnstein. At the destination of the stage you can often cool your feet in the Lahn or in a Kneipp pool or even swim a few lengths in the public open-air swimming pool.

 

If you want to walk the Lahnwanderweg trail in one go, you will need about three weeks’ time. But since there are excellent rail connections at the starting points and the destinations, the trail can also be walked in 19 daily stages. The entire trail begins at the Lahn source at 628 m above sea level high up in the Rothaargebirge. After the first few kilometers through Nordrhein-Westfalen, the Lahnwanderweg trail leads through Hessen and finally ends in Lahnstein in the Rheinland-Pfalz region after a total of more than 290 hiking kilometers.

Those who have the choice are spoilt for it, because the Lahnwanderweg’s markings are excellent in both directions.

Here you will find the Lahnwanderweg trail in walking direction to the source, i.e. upstream.

 

Marking and signposting

In order for you to know that you are on the right track anytime, the Lahnwanderweg trail is marked with the red LW on a white background continuously. This applies for both directions, no matter whether you will walk towards the source of the Lahn or Lahnstein. On straight sections, you will find the red LW at regular intervals, as well as at all crossings and junctions. When the path turns, this will also be indicated by arrows. The access routes between the Lahnwanderweg trail and many railway stations, sights and locations of the stages are marked with the red LW on a yellow background.

Signposts at junctions and crossroads indicate the direction and distance to towns and places of interest. The blue peak marks the main path while a yellow peak shows access paths. In addition to the information about distances, pictograms indicate services that hikers can find at the respective destination such as overnight accommodation or local transport stops.

The location sign, which you will find on every signpost, is meant to help with the orientation. In addition to the name of the location and information on the altitude, you will also see the corresponding GPS coordinates. We also provide the telephone number of the regional route management that you can use to report any defects, for example.

Public transport

Public-transport-friendly

The public transport connection is excellent. 18 of the 20 townships where stages start or end can be reached directly by train and one additional by bus.

You only need a taxi-transport from the Feudingen railway station, if you want to start or end at the source of the Lahn.

Nearest railway station to the source of the Lahn: Feudingen

Railway station at the mouth of the Lahn: Niederlahnstein

Long-distance train stations with ICE or IC connections: Marburg, Gießen, Limburg-Süd, Koblenz

www.bahn.com

By road

A45 (AS -Siegen or AS-Olpe) to source of river Lahn or to Feudingen

Approach to further stages on the Lahnwanderweg (a selection)

A5 and B3 to Marburg, Gießen, Wetzlar

A5 or A3 plus B 49 to Weilburg

A3 to Limburg

A3 (AS Montabaur) plus B49 to Bad Ems

A3 or A61 plus A48 and B 42 to the mouth of the Lahn in Niederlahnstein

Coordinates

DD
50.892508, 8.241335
DMS
50°53'33.0"N 8°14'28.8"E
UTM
32U 446642 5638145
w3w 
///clock.dare.obtaining
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:

Show more

Recommended maps for this region:

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Equipment

Ordinary hiking equipment for uplands (sturdy shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, drinks and, if necessary, food)

Questions and answers

Question from Sarah Milski · April 07, 2023 · Community
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Question from Andrea Hönig · April 05, 2023 · Community
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Question from Eveline Schell · March 10, 2023 · Community
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Rating

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Photos from others


Status
Open
Difficulty
moderate
Distance
294.5 km
Duration
86:00 h
Ascent
6,522 m
Descent
7,026 m
Highest point
664 m
Lowest point
61 m
Public-transport-friendly Multi-stage route Scenic Refreshment stops available Cultural/historical interest Geological highlights Flora Linear route Fauna

Statistics

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Features
2D 3D
Maps and trails
  • 19 Stages
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 1 Open
Distance 14.3 km
Duration 4:15 h
Ascent 244 m
Descent 459 m

We start at the birthplace of the river Lahn! Because the Lahnwanderweg trail sets off from the source of the Lahn at an altitude of 606 m in the ...

7
from Jörg Thamer,   Lahntal Tourismus Verband e. V.
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 2 Open
Distance 16.8 km
Duration 5:15 h
Ascent 414 m
Descent 484 m

Now that we are on our way to Bad Laasphe, we will have to accomplish further metres of altitude. The section through the romantic Ilsetal promises ...

4
from Jörg Thamer,   Lahntal Tourismus Verband e. V.
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 3 Open
Distance 17.6 km
Duration 5:45 h
Ascent 527 m
Descent 576 m

Because of his height of 535 meters, the Entenberg is a popular take-off point for hang- and paragliding. It also offers a great view of ...

4
from Jörg Thamer,   Lahntal Tourismus Verband e. V.
recommended route Difficulty easy Stage 4 Open
Distance 12.5 km
Duration 3:45 h
Ascent 299 m
Descent 338 m

Biedenkopf and Buchenau are not only connected by the Lahnwanderweg trail but also by the tradition of the Grenzgänger. It is an ancient custom ...

2
from Jörg Thamer,   Lahntal Tourismus Verband e. V.
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 5 Open
Distance 13.4 km
Duration 4:00 h
Ascent 434 m
Descent 437 m

Let’s hope that you will be lucky with the weather for today’s tour in order to be able to guarantee the views. Passing the Burgruine Hohenfels, ...

6
from Jörg Thamer,   Lahntal Tourismus Verband e. V.
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 6 Open
Distance 15.9 km
Duration 5:15 h
Ascent 356 m
Descent 398 m

Across the nature reserve Lahnknie to Sterzhausen. The short detour to the ruins of Weißenstein is a must-do. At your destination, Marburg welcomes ...

5
from Jörg Thamer,   Lahntal Tourismus Verband e. V.
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 7 Open
Distance 24.6 km
Duration 7:30 h
Ascent 333 m
Descent 365 m

This will be the king's stage: a length of 25 km as well as more than 680 meters of altitude difference have to be mastered today. But this won’t ...

1
from Jörg Thamer,   Lahntal Tourismus Verband e. V.
recommended route Difficulty easy Stage 8 Open
Distance 11.9 km
Duration 3:45 h
Ascent 205 m
Descent 215 m

A comfortable day is waiting for hikers of this tour with wide views from the Altenberg. Once, there used to be eight mills in the romantic ...

3
from Jörg Thamer,   Lahntal Tourismus Verband e. V.
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 9 Open
Distance 21.4 km
Duration 6:45 h
Ascent 403 m
Descent 368 m

It’s romantic hiking the paths in the idyllic Wißmarbachtal. Have you ever dreamed of being a lady or a lord of the castle? The detours to the ...

1
from Jörg Thamer,   Lahntal Tourismus Verband e. V.
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 10 Open
Distance 16.4 km
Duration 4:45 h
Ascent 298 m
Descent 332 m

In a good mood, the view of the twin castles takes you up to the Frauenkreuz, through the wide Lahn meadows to Garbenheim and magnificent views ...

1
from Jörg Thamer,   Lahntal Tourismus Verband e. V.
recommended route Difficulty easy Stage 11 Open
Distance 13 km
Duration 4:15 h
Ascent 237 m
Descent 151 m

Starting from Wetzlar, the route climbs up to the castle ruins of Kalsmunt. Moreover, you will walk through the nature and bird sanctuary Weinberg ...

2
from Jörg Thamer,   Lahntal Tourismus Verband e. V.
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 12 Open
Distance 17.9 km
Duration 6:15 h
Ascent 243 m
Descent 332 m

This tour is highly diversified and offers many highlights: The pond near Braunfels, the Kubacher Kristallhöhle, the Weilburg animal park and two ...

from Jörg Thamer,   Lahntal Tourismus Verband e. V.
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 13 Open
Distance 19.5 km
Duration 6:15 h
Ascent 353 m
Descent 393 m

This stage provides a lot of pure peace and quiet. From Weilburg, the route takes you across a real highlight, the Ernst-Dienstbach-Steg, which was ...

6
from Jörg Thamer,   Lahntal Tourismus Verband e. V.
recommended route Difficulty easy Stage 14 Open
Distance 12.7 km
Duration 4:15 h
Ascent 165 m
Descent 166 m

Lonely meadows and forests high above the river Lahn are fascinating aspects of the area that is “home” to the Lahn marble. Whenever the weather is ...

5
from Jörg Thamer,   Lahntal Tourismus Verband e. V.
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 15 Open
Distance 13.3 km
Duration 4:45 h
Ascent 148 m
Descent 149 m

Hikers who are fans of nature and great views will definitely enjoy the path that runs along the edge of the "Wehrley" nature reserve.

2
from Jörg Thamer,   Lahntal Tourismus Verband e. V.
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 16 Open
Distance 13.9 km
Duration 4:15 h
Ascent 327 m
Descent 333 m

Castles, fortresses, half-timbered houses and rocks will be the highlights of this stage. Yet there is even more to discover!

8
from Jörg Thamer,   Lahntal Tourismus Verband e. V.
recommended route Difficulty difficult Stage 17 Open
Distance 19.3 km
Duration 6:45 h
Ascent 774 m
Descent 798 m

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 ...

4
from Jörg Thamer,   Lahntal Tourismus Verband e. V.
recommended route Difficulty difficult Stage 18 Open
Distance 19.3 km
Duration 7:15 h
Ascent 738 m
Descent 750 m

This stage will delight lovers of vistas and culture. The Nassau castle, the Schiefe Turm of Dausenau... Panoramic highlights like the Hohe Lay!

5
from Jörg Thamer,   Lahntal Tourismus Verband e. V.
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 19 Open
Distance 16.4 km
Duration 5:15 h
Ascent 389 m
Descent 395 m

The final stage of the Lahnwanderweg trail once again presents all the diversity that characterises the Lahnwanderweg trail: views, tranquillity, ...

6
from Jörg Thamer,   Lahntal Tourismus Verband e. V.
Distance  km
Duration : h
Ascent  m
Descent  m
Highest point  m
Lowest point  m
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