Schmitten in the Taunus: Trails, Castle and Views

Schmitten in the Taunus combines striking landmarks with routes through the Taunus landscape. When choosing where to stay, you can consider whether you would like to explore the church and viewpoint in town, the castle ruins in Oberreifenberg, or one of the routes described here. The outdoor swimming pool and ski lift also add to the range of options, subject to seasonal and weather-dependent conditions.

Church, Viewpoint and Castle

The neo-Gothic Church of St. Charles Borromeo was built from Taunus slate between 1892 and 1895. The stone was quarried directly from the rock at the construction site. The Wiegerfelsen viewpoint lies beside the church and can be reached by climbing a few steps. The church and viewpoint offer two distinct highlights in the same place: the history of the building on one hand, and views from the rock on the other.

Reifenberg Castle rises above Schmitten-Oberreifenberg. It is considered the highest medieval castle in the Taunus Mountains. The surviving structures of the Oberreifenberg castle ruins include a keep, a church cellar and a slender residential tower. A particularly striking feature is the four-metre-thick shield wall with its round towers. The surviving parts give the ruins a varied character, rather than placing the focus on just one tower.

Trails with Different Highlights

Carved gnomes line the Taunus Gnome Trail, each accompanied by a story to read. Four information boards provide details about the hiking route. The trail starts and ends in Schmitten and passes through forests, along the Weil River and over green meadow paths in Taunus Nature Park. Along the way, stories are combined with changing views of the landscape.

A longer circular route is the TaunusRunde Höhenluft, which is just over 33 kilometres long. It loops around Schmitten in the Taunus and passes through all the districts of the Feldberg municipality. The route starts at Schmitten outdoor swimming pool; some steep climbs may require a good level of fitness or an e-bike. The Himmelsleiter circular trail has a different starting point: it begins at 434 metres above sea level at the Catholic Church of St. Borromeo in Schmitten. Terrain and seasonal conditions can affect use of this circular trail. Check conditions before setting out.

Outdoor Swimming Pool and Ski Lift

Schmitten outdoor swimming pool has a 50-metre stainless-steel pool and two toddlers’ pools with slides. As these pool features do not indicate whether the facility will be open on the day of your visit, it is advisable to check current operating conditions before you go. The pool, where the TaunusRunde Höhenluft starts, can also serve as a useful landmark when planning your route.

Oberreifenberg ski lift is a drag lift for skiers and snowboarders, located at an elevation of approximately 680 to 730 metres. Its operation depends on snowfall; the operator states that it runs at weekends when snow conditions are good. If the lift is relevant to your travel plans, check in advance whether conditions allow it to operate.

Schmitten in the Wider Destination of Hochtaunus

The wider destination of Hochtaunus also offers routes with different geographical settings. The Weiltalweg starts near the source of the Weil River at the “Rotes Kreuz” car park near Schmitten, follows the Weil through Weilrod and continues for a total of 47.5 kilometres to Weilburg on the Lahn. Unlike the TaunusRunde Höhenluft, which loops around Schmitten and passes through all its districts, this trail follows the river and has a destination farther afield. Before setting off, check the conditions on your chosen route.

You can tailor your stay to your preferred focus: local history and views, a route through forests and meadows, or a longer loop with additional stages. The routes mentioned vary in their course and length; comparing them using this information can help you choose the right day plan for your trip.

Discover more destinations: Oberreifenberg, Arnoldshain, Friedrichsdorf, Königstein in the Taunus, Wehrheim, Weilrod, Steinbach, Oberursel.

Go to the wider travel overview: Hochtaunus.