Discover Kempfeld: Wildenburg Castle and History

When searching for hotels in Kempfeld, you can tailor your trip to different interests: nearby Wildenburg Castle combines architectural history, views and a climbing opportunity; Katzenloch, a district of Kempfeld, adds milling and industrial history to the historical theme. Nature and wildlife watching offer another focus. The wider Birkenfeld destination also includes independent natural and cultural attractions.

Wildenburg Castle and Getting to Kempfeld

Nearby Wildenburg Castle was built in 1330 by Wildgrave Friedrich of Kyburg. Its reconstructed tower is 22 metres high and stands on quartzite rock. On a clear day, the view stretches far across the Hunsrück. The tower is open year-round for free climbing at your own risk. Its architectural history, views and climbing opportunities offer different highlights for visitors.

The Wildenburg National Park Gate in Kempfeld can be reached by bus routes 840 from the Idar-Oberstein/Wittlich rail connection and 890 from the Neubrücke/Rhaunen rail connection. Check the timetable before setting out, as public transport connections may change.

Forest and Wildlife Watching

At Wildenburg Wildlife Park, visitors can walk through the forest, feed and pet goats and sheep, see deer up close, and watch wolves or wildcats. There are also playgrounds. A kiosk offers ice cream and light snacks. The wildlife park combines time in the forest, encounters with animals and opportunities to watch them with other facilities.

Milling History in Katzenloch

Katzenloch, a district of Kempfeld, has an industrial history linked to an agate grinding mill dating from the 18th century and a hammer mill founded in 1758. The site of the former sawmill is now home to a restaurant displaying sawmill machinery, as well as a jewellery and mineral shop. The historical theme therefore ranges from mills and their working history to the present-day uses of the former sawmill site.

Nature and Culture in the Wider Birkenfeld Destination

Part of the Hunsrück-Hochwald National Park lies within the Birkenfeld collective municipality in the wider Birkenfeld destination. In Birkenfeld, the State Museum has permanent exhibitions on the Celts and Romans; Birkenfeld and the Wittelsbachs; iron smelting in the Birkenfeld district; an old classroom from around 1930; and the Oldenburg period. Visitors on the Birkenfeld section of the Nahe Cycle Route are recommended to visit the museum.

The nature trails in the Birkenfeld destination vary in length and theme. The 1-kilometre Upper Nahe Water Experience Trail in Hoppstädten-Weiersbach has four access points. It introduces the variety of aquatic life in the Upper Nahe, including barbel and gudgeon, as well as waterbirds such as kingfishers and dippers, and dragonfly species such as damselflies and river clubtails. The 1.6-kilometre National Park Island Tour around Börfink and Thranenweier uses information panels to explore the rare and threatened arnica meadows, their origins, conservation and biodiversity.

Another nature trail, with 18 stations, runs around Niederhambach, Schmißberg and Rimsberg. Near Schmißberg, it includes an aviary housing the stork pair Lotte and Bernie and provides information about the habitats of red kites, black storks and other species. Offering a different theme, the 2.5-kilometre Götterallee (Avenue of the Gods) between Schwollen and Leisel features ten life-size, colourful statues of gods.

Discover more destinations: Abentheuer, Herrstein, Sulzbach / Hunsrück, Bruchweiler, Bundenbach, Sonnschied, Horbruch, Fischbach

See the wider travel overview: Birkenfeld.