Henau: Castle Ruins, Hiking Trails and Archaeological Traces

Henau combines the Soonwald landscape, hiking trails and traces of history. If you are planning a stay, you can explore nature and cultural history together: the Soonwaldsteig passes directly by the village, while the Koppenstein Castle Ruins and archaeological features offer their own points of interest. The Asbachhütte complements these attractions with a recreational facility offering various uses.

Landscape in the Soonwald

Henau lies in the Soonwald on a south-facing slope that descends to the Asbach. The village is about 400 metres above sea level and is surrounded by forests and meadows. The hillside setting, stream and surrounding green spaces offer a vivid impression of the landscape. Between the Soonwald and Lützelsoon, the Kellenbach follows a winding, shaded course towards the Nahe. This brings different landscape features together—the hillside setting near Henau and the shaded stream between the two ranges of hills.

Hiking Trails and Koppenstein Castle Ruins

The Soonwaldsteig passes directly by Henau, providing a clear connection between the village and hiking. A circular hike along the Asbach leads to Koppenstein Castle. The two routes offer different highlights: the Soonwaldsteig passes Henau, while the circular hike has a named destination at Koppenstein. Depending on your hiking interests, you can choose between a route passing through the village and a hike to the castle ruins.

Koppenstein Castle Ruins lie within Henau’s municipal area. The surviving structure is a 16-metre-high, pentagonal keep made of quartzite. Its entrance has been converted into an observation tower. The shape of the keep and the adaptation of its entrance are two striking architectural details of the complex. Together with the circular hike along the Asbach, the castle gives the local hiking route a historical point of interest.

Archaeological Traces

Archaeological features in Henau that visitors can see include linear ramparts and burial mounds. Several linear ramparts made of quartzite blocks lie on the northern flank of Koppensteiner Höhe. One of them measures 125 metres in length. Three burial mounds are located on the eastern slope of Gemündener Höhe, including one surrounded by a rampart. The examples therefore differ both in form and location: the linear ramparts are on Koppensteiner Höhe, while the three burial mounds are on Gemündener Höhe.

A coin find also contributes to the historical picture of the area. Roman silver coins minted between 217 and 251 AD were found in Winnheck. The find points to Roman settlers. For travellers interested in culture, this offers a different way to explore the past than the visible ramparts and burial mounds.

The Asbachhütte and Its Uses

The Asbachhütte is a recreational facility in Henau, located in the Soonwald-Nahe Nature Park. The grounds include a meadow, adjoining forest and direct access to the Asbach. The hut can be rented for leisure activities and celebrations. Possible uses include picnics, family camping and group outings. This gives the facility a distinct focus alongside the village’s hiking trails and historical features.

Facilities include a covered barbecue pavilion and a traditional swivel grill. Electricity and water are available on site, along with space for tents and vehicles. However, there are no service connections or wastewater disposal facilities for camping vehicles. This distinction is relevant when planning: the availability of electricity and water on the grounds does not mean that camping vehicles have access to the aforementioned connections or to wastewater disposal. The access to the Asbachhütte is level. If you choose Henau for your stay, the landscape, trails, archaeological traces and the hut’s specific uses offer different points of interest.

Discover more destinations: Maisborn, Argenthal, Rohrbach, Gödenroth, Ober Kostenz, Mannebach, Pfalzfeld, Bad Salzig

Return to the main travel overview: Rhein-Hunsrück.