Roßbach: Hiking along the Wied and at the Basaltbogen

Roßbach lies in the Rhine-Westerwald Nature Park and is a starting point for hikes through varied landscapes. From here, trails lead up to the heights, along the Wied and through several valleys. If you are looking for a hotel in Roßbach, you can plan your stay around your intended route: a loop returning to the start, a stage of the Wiedweg or hikes in the surrounding area. The routes differ primarily in their course and destination.

Hiking between a loop and a stage

The Westerwald-Steig and the Wiedweg cross in Roßbach. The sixth stage of the Wiedweg also ends in Roßbach/Wied. These are different reference points: the crossing locates both hiking trails in the town, while the stage information identifies the endpoint of a specific section. This answers two questions for your planning: Where do the two trails meet, and where does stage six end?

The clearly designated 11.7-kilometre Basaltbogen adventure loop is a good option for a circular hike. It returns to its starting point in Roßbach. The trail starts at the car park by the Wiedhalle on Auf dem Posten street. The loop follows natural paths along the Wied stream and leads through the Masbach Valley. This makes it possible to plan the Basaltbogen loop as a circuit with a fixed starting point and return.

The adventure loop is marked with the signs for the Westerwald-Steig and the Wiedweg; it does not have its own continuous trail marker. Take this into account when navigating. In addition, hikes from Roßbach lead up to the heights, along the Wied and through the Elsbach, Membach, Masbach and Wallbach valleys. One valley name links two types of tour: the Basaltbogen loop passes through the Masbach Valley, and hikes starting in Roßbach also pass through this valley. The valley name thus connects a specific circular route with the wider range of hikes starting in Roßbach.

Landscape and history

The Roßbacher Häubchen, a striking volcanic hill above the widened valley near Roßbach, lies in the surrounding area. The educational trail at the Häubchen is in Breitscheid and explains basalt quarrying from 1883 to 1942. This adds a clearly defined historical theme to the landscape: the use of basalt during this period.

St. Michael’s Church in Roßbach also provides a historical focal point. Masses have been held there regularly since 1802. The church thus complements the nature- and landscape-focused hiking destinations with a religious point of interest in the town.

Cultural and historical attractions in Neuwied

In Neuwied, the Roentgen Museum houses a collection of Roentgen furniture and Kinzing clocks that is unique in the world. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Limes runs through the entire Neuwied city area, with watchtowers and forts. Neuwied therefore offers a cultural and historical focus of its own alongside the hiking destinations in Roßbach.

Discover more destinations: Dernbach, Hausen, Ratzert, Großmaischeid, Leutesdorf, Isenburg, Neustadt, Rheinbreitbach.

Return to the main travel overview: Neuwied.