Discover Lich: Old Town, Monastery and Hiking Trails

Lich Between the Old Town and the Countryside

If you’re looking for a hotel in Lich, you can plan your trip around the things you’re interested in exploring locally: historic buildings, monastic history or trails through the countryside. Lich’s historic old town is a place to explore; the Lich Town Trail, the Muschenheim Cultural and Historical Hiking Trail, and the area around Arnsburg Monastery each offer a different focus. You can decide in advance whether you’d like to focus on architectural history, a specific hiking route or the countryside.

Townscape and Architectural History

The Lich Town Tower is a remnant of the historic fortifications. Visits are possible by prior arrangement, so be sure to arrange access in advance. The Evangelical Marienstiftskirche is a late Gothic hall church, rebuilt in 1511. Its Baroque pulpit originally stood in Arnsburg Monastery—a specific historic connection between the two places. Together, the tower and church offer different clues to Lich’s history if you’d like to explore it on a town walk.

Arnsburg Monastery and Its History

Arnsburg Monastery is near Lich and embodies almost nine centuries of history. Cuno of Münzenberg founded it in 1174 as a Cistercian monastery. The church ruins and the Paradise serve as venues for church services, devotions, weddings and special religious events. As the program and access arrangements may change, check in advance what options are currently available if you’re planning a visit. There are hiking trails at the monastery, with wide-ranging views and a circular trail along the monastery wall.

A few hundred metres from the monastery is the Klosterwald Wildlife Park. Fallow deer, mouflons, sika deer, emus, alpacas and other animals live there. The animals and visitor arrangements may change, so check what visiting options are available before making plans.

Hiking Trails with Different Focuses

The two routes on the Muschenheim Cultural and Historical Hiking Trail differ in length and focus. Route 1 is 10.2 kilometres long and follows the entire themed trail. Route 2 covers 4.1 kilometres and focuses on Arnsburg Monastery, the nearby castle ruins, the Roman fort and the amphitheatre. This gives you the choice between the full route and a shorter one featuring these historical highlights.

The Lich Town Trail has a different focus: it runs mostly along natural paths, includes gentle climbs and leads to viewpoints around the town. Along the Wetter, the route also takes you through nature, passing wetlands and neighbouring forests. If you plan to follow the trail, check its current route; changes to the paths may affect the route’s features.

The Wetter Valley, the Limes and Longer Hiking Plans

The Limes runs for 7.5 kilometres through the municipality of Lich. The Wetter flows through the Gottesackertal; ponds, weirs and pastureland are connected with the nearby monastery’s use of the valley. A cycle and footpath follows the Wetter through the valley towards Lich. Path conditions may vary.

For a longer hiking trip, the Residenzenring connects Lich with Grünberg, Hungen and Laubach. The route is 70 kilometres long and divided into four stages. Route details may be updated by the regional tourism organisation, so check the latest information if you’re planning a stage.

Guided Tours and Other Experiences

Guided experiences associated with Lich include classic town tours and costumed walks featuring a theatrical performance and tasting. Availability and booking arrangements may change, so check these details when planning. The Licher private brewery Jhring-Melchior also offers opportunities to learn more about brewing, visit the brewery and sample beer specialities. Check in advance which of these options are available on your visit date.

Discover more destinations: Linden, Rabenau, Grünberg, Heuchelheim, Staufenberg, Biebertal, Langgöns, Hungen

Return to the main travel overview: Gießen.