recommended route
Multistage route
Lahnwanderweg 01-19 (entire tour, tour with stages)
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/ The little trickle leaving the spring pond ist the start of the river Lahn - stage 1Photo: Paavo Blåfield, © Lahntal Tourismus Verband e. V. -
/ Der Quellteich der Lahnquelle - Etappe 1Photo: Paavo Blåfield, © Lahntal Tourismus Verband e. V.
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/ Im Katzenbachtal - Etappe 4Photo: Dominik Ketz, © Lahntal Tourismus Verband e. V.
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/ Burg Gleiberg und Burg Vetzberg erreicht man auf den Etappen 9 und 10Photo: Dominik Ketz, © Lahntal Tourismus Verband e. V.
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/ NaturbeobachtungenPhoto: Dominik Ketz, © Lahntal Tourismus Verband e. V.
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/ "LW" weist den WegPhoto: Karin Hünerfauth-Brixius, © Lahntal Tourismus Verband e. V.
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/ Unterwegs auf dem Lahnwanderweg (11. Etappe: Braunfels-Wetzlar)Video: Das Lahntal
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/ Der Mammutbaum im Braunfelser Kurpark (Etappen 11 und 12)Photo: Paavo Blåfield, © Lahntal Tourismus Verband e. V.
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/ Ein LAWA-Wegweiser - Etappe 12Photo: Paavo Blåfield, © Lahntal Tourismus Verband e. V.
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/ Und zwischendurch eine kleine RastPhoto: Dominik Ketz, © Lahntal Tourismus Verband e. V.
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/ Blick auf den König-Konrad-Felsen - Etappe 15Photo: Dominik Ketz, © Lahntal Tourismus Verband e. V.
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/ Bei Diez auf der Etappe 16Photo: Paavo Blåfield, © Lahntal Tourismus Verband e. V.
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/ Die Lahn von oben auf dem Lahnwanderweg - Etappe 18Photo: Paavo Blåfield, © Lahntal Tourismus Verband e. V.
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/ Ausblick auf Bad Ems (Etappen 18 und 19)Photo: Paavo Blåfield, © Lahntal Tourismus Verband e. V.
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/ Die Markierung der LAWA-ZuwegePhoto: Eingetragenes Markenzeichen, Das Lahntal
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/ Mit dem roten LW unterwegs auf dem LahnwanderwegPhoto: Jörg Thamer, CC BY-SA, Das Lahntal
Author’s recommendation
- Lahnquelle - Biedenkopf (3 stages)
- Biedenkopf – Marburg (3 stages)
- Marburg – Gießen (3 stages)
- Gießen – Weilburg (4 stages)
- Weilburg – Balduinstein (4 stages)
- Balduinstein – Lahnstein (3 stages)
Rest Stop
Restaurant SeeblickLandgasthof Der Katzenbacher
Burg Gleiberg
Nassau Castle
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 on Facebook
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
Fax: 03212-1239508
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
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.
Note
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
Getting there
A45 (AS -Siegen or AS-Olpe) to source of river Lahn or to FeudingenApproach 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
Book recommendation by the author
- 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
Equipment
Ordinary hiking equipment for uplands (sturdy shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, drinks and, if necessary, food)Basic Equipment for Long-Distance Hikes
- Sturdy, comfortable and waterproof hiking boots or approach shoes
- Layered, moisture wicking clothing
- Hiking socks
- Rucksack (with rain cover)
- Protection against sun, rain and wind (hat, sunscreen, water- and windproof jacket and suitable legwear)
- Sunglasses
- Hiking poles
- Ample supply of drinking water and snacks
- First aid kit
- Kit para bolhas
- Bivy / survival bag
- Survival blanket
- Headlamp
- Pocket knife
- Whistle
- Cell phone
- Cash
- Navigation equipment / map and compass
- Emergency contact details
- ID
Camping Equipment
- Tent (3- or 4-season)
- Stove (including fuel and utensils)
- Sleeping mat. Sleeping bag with suitable temperature rating.
- Food
- Toiletries and medication
- Toilet paper
Things to Bring if Staying in a Mountain Hut
- Toiletries and medication
- Quick-drying towel
- Ear plugs
- Sleeping bag liner
- Sleepwear
- Alpine club membership card if applicable / ID
- Coronavirus mask and hand sanitizer
- The 'basic' and 'technical' equipment lists are generated based on the selected activity. They are not exhaustive and only serve as suggestions for what you should consider packing.
- For your safety, you should carefully read all instructions on how to properly use and maintain your equipment.
- Please ensure that the equipment you bring complies with local laws and does not include restricted items.
Statistics
- 19 Stages
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
Biedenkopf and Buchenau are not only connected by the Lahnwanderweg trail but also by the tradition of the Grenzgänger. It is an ancient custom ...
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, ...
Across the nature reserve Lahnknie to Sterzhausen. The short detour to the ruins of Weißenstein is a must-do. At your destination, Marburg welcomes ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
Starting from Wetzlar, the route climbs up to the castle ruins of Kalsmunt. Moreover, you will walk through the nature and bird sanctuary Weinberg ...
This tour is highly diversified and offers many highlights: The pond near Braunfels, the Kubacher Kristallhöhle, the Weilburg animal park and two ...
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 ...
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 ...
Hikers who are fans of nature and great views will definitely enjoy the path that runs along the edge of the "Wehrley" nature reserve.
Castles, fortresses, half-timbered houses and rocks will be the highlights of this stage. Yet there is even more to discover!
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 ...
This stage will delight lovers of vistas and culture. The Nassau castle, the Schiefe Turm of Dausenau... Panoramic highlights like the Hohe Lay!
The final stage of the Lahnwanderweg trail once again presents all the diversity that characterises the Lahnwanderweg trail: views, tranquillity, ...
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