Obererbach (Westerwald): Hiking and Local History

If you are looking for a hotel in Obererbach (Westerwald), hiking trails and traces of local history offer concrete starting points for planning your trip. You can plan your stay around whether you mainly want to hike, explore historic buildings, or combine both.

Railway and Mining History

The station building dates from 1895 and is the municipality’s only listed historic building. The station is still in use as a stop; the building itself is privately owned and was renovated according to the original plans. Local historic traces also include the Marienthal tunnel portal, built around 1895. A disused ore adit on the access path to the WesterwaldSteig has been adapted as a bat roost.

Hiking on Local Trails and the WesterwaldSteig

The official local hiking route is 7.5 kilometres long and marked with a yellow OE on a black background. The route includes a shelter with a view of the valley. Facilities and views may vary by season; check for possible local diversions before hiking. The 7.5-kilometre local route can be compared with the 9.4-kilometre 11th stage of the WesterwaldSteig. This stage is classified as a moderate long-distance hike and leads via Marienthal and the Raiffeisenturm to Obererbach station.

Along the way, the WesterwaldSteig stage offers views across the Bergisches Land, the Siebengebirge and the Altenkirchen region towards the Westerwald. How far you can see may vary by season. For hike planning, you can choose between a shorter local route and a longer long-distance hiking stage classified as moderate.

The Obererbach Wichtelweg Trail

The Obererbach Wichtelweg is a discovery trail from the Willi-Eichelhard-Steg by the community centre to the level crossing at the forester’s lodge. Small figures line the trail; it was created by local residents together with children. Check the current trail conditions before your visit so your plans suit the situation on the ground.

Rail Connections and Trip Planning

The connecting path from the Raiffeisenturm to Obererbach station is about 1.4 kilometres long and marked with a green W on a yellow background. Check the trail markers on site. You can also plan a hike as follows: park at Obererbach station, take the train to the starting point in Marienthal, and hike back on foot. Check current train services before setting off.

The Wald- und Wiesentour has a direct rail connection via the Westerwald-Sieg-Bahn (RB 90), which connects Siegen, Au/Sieg, Altenkirchen, Hachenburg and Limburg. Check the operator’s latest information before travelling. The Wald- und Wiesentour also offers an open view towards Altenkirchen; vegetation and visibility can vary by season.

Other Local Activities

Obererbach has a wine tavern with a restaurant, which is available by reservation. Check reservation requirements and availability before your trip. Fishing is possible at the pond; check local rules before fishing.

In the Wider Altenkirchen Destination

The wider Altenkirchen destination also offers historic and scenic points of interest. In Flammersfeld, Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen founded the “Flammersfelder Hülfsverein zur Unterstützung unbemittelter Landwirthe” in 1849, the world’s first cooperative credit society. In Marienthal, the Klosterdorfweg trail leads around the former Franciscan monastery through the shady spa forest of the Archdiocese of Cologne. Marienthal remains a popular pilgrimage site today.

Discover more destinations: Wissen, Flammersfeld, Neitersen, Altenkirchen, Selbach (Sieg), Betzdorf, Niederirsen, Gebhardshain.

Go to the overview of the wider destination: Altenkirchen.