Hiking Suggestions

The Elisabethpfad and Jakobspilgerweg Trails

In 2002 the ecumenical Elisabethpfad Association began to identify the Elisabethpfad trails linked to the Christian tradition of pilgrimages. Numerous churches, chapels and Stations of the Cross run along the course of the three trails that are now in place and always start and end at the St Elisabeth Church in Marburg. The Elisabethpfad 1 trail covers 150 kilometres from Frankfurt to Marburg; the Elisabethpfad 2 trail runs for 180 kilometres between Eisenach and Marburg and the Elisabethpfad 3 trail encompases the historically recorded pilgrimage route running from Cologne to Marburg via Siegen. At the same time, the Elisabethpfad 2 and 3 trails close part of the gap in the network of the European Jakobsweg trails and are also marked as such.

Information: www.elisabethpfad.de

The Lahn-Dill-Bergland

The Salzböde Mountain Trail

The Salzböde Valley is almost considered a secret with its delightful meadows and towering forested mountains in certain areas. The original beauty of this tributary valley can be enjoyed from the source of the Salzböde to its mouth at the river Lahn between Marburg and Gießen. In addition to the Talpfad trail that predominantly runs through the pretty flood plains, the Salzböde mountain trail with a length of 40 kilometres and a height range of 860 metres presents an ever-changing backdrop with far-reaching views, contrasting forests and small, secluded valleys.

The Weil Valley Trail

The name and course of this hiking trail through the densely forested Hochtaunus Nature Park are characterised by the Weil river. The Red Cross in the region of Feldberg is near to the source and the starting point for the 47.5 kilometre hiking trail to Weilburg. A height range of 560 metres must be negotiated during the course of this hike. Pretty views and the hospitality of the Weil Valley communities reward the hikers for their efforts. The Weil Valley bus is available at weekends between May and October for hikers and cyclists.

Information: www.weiltalweg.de

Nassau

The Nassau Four Valley Tour

The Nassau Nature Park invites you to a “rendezvous” with nature. The Four Valley Hiking Tour incorporates the natural beauty of the tributary valleys of the Lahn for hikers over the course of its 26.5 kilometre circular route. The hiking trail runs through the Mühlbach, Dörsbach, Gelbach and Lahn valleys. Untouched streams flowing towards ravine forested areas and friendly villages with ample hospitality enhance your hiking enjoyment. It is possible to start the circular trail at several different places.

Hesse Hiking Trail 5

Eleven long-distance trails that are designated Hesse Trails, corresponding to their overall significance, have been designed by combining individual parts of the regional network of hiking trails. As an example, the Hesse Trail 5 is introduced here. It covers 186 kilometres and interconnects Dillenburg, Gießen, the Vogelsberg mountains, Schlüchtern and Bad Brückenau.

The frequently changing types of scenery on this hiking trail are particularly attractive: starting in the Lahn-Dill-Bergland, passing through the Lahn Valley near Gießen, negotiating the Vogelsberg characterised by their volcanic history and finishing on the plains of the Rhone – this is also a true hiking experience.