Hillscheid: Roman history, ceramics and hiking trails

Hillscheid combines Roman heritage along the Limes, ceramic history and hiking trails. If you are planning a stay, these themes provide a clear guide: you can consider the town primarily for its reconstructed Roman sites, collections on local and craft history, or forest trails. The picture is rounded out by contemporary art at the Kunstraum am Limes and a panoramic road that passes through Hillscheid. Culture and outdoor activity thus take centre stage as distinct interests that can be easily combined.

Roman Limes and Museum

The small fort in Hillscheid and its associated watchtowers WP 1/69–WP 1/72 are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Frontiers of the Roman Empire”. The outer walls of the small Roman fort at Hillscheid were rebuilt in 2003.

The reconstructed Limes tower site in Hillscheid includes a small museum and a Roman garden with a bread oven. The Hillscheid Limes Museum displays reconstructions of Roman ceramics and several original objects.

Ceramics and Local History

The Hillscheid Local History Museum focuses on objects from everyday life and crafts: visitors can see water jugs, old ceramic products and tools from former trades. The collection also includes Westerwald stoneware and clay pipes. A nearly complete historic kitchen is also part of the exhibition; the history of the region and the town is covered as well. Visits to the Local History Museum are by appointment only. Arrange your visit in advance.

Art in Town

The Kunstraum am Limes in Hillscheid hosts permanent exhibitions of contemporary art. Sculptures are displayed outdoors. The ceramic stelae project in Hillscheid comprises five objects on the grounds of the Old School. If you want to combine cultural history with contemporary art, you will find another area of interest here alongside the museums.

Hiking Trails and Tours

There are around 100 km of marked hiking trails in the forests around Hillscheid. The Hillscheid Limes Trail is an approximately 8 km circular route, starting at Limes Tower WP 1/68 on the L 310 at the entrance to Hillscheid. The HG3 – Hillscheid Circular Hiking Trail is rated moderate, covers 20.1 km and has a stated duration of 5 hours 35 minutes. This makes HG3 a considerably longer route option than the Limes Trail. Before setting out, check the current trail conditions on the Limes Trail and the route details for HG3, as its figures may change if the route is modified. On certain days of the week, the Bembermühle offers a place to stop for food and refreshments along the HG3. Check in advance whether it will be open on the day of your visit.

For a much longer regional hiking plan, the WesterwaldSteig is on a different scale: this long-distance trail runs through the Westerwald, is 235 kilometres long and comprises 16 stages. Check the current route planner before setting off.

Kannenbäckerstraße and Regional Orientation

The Westerwald Kannenbäckerstraße runs through Hillscheid and is an approximately 70-kilometre panoramic road through the Kannenbäckerland. This gives you another way to explore Hillscheid, alongside its local museums and hiking trails: by following a regional road route.

Discover more destinations: Nordhofen, Welschneudorf, Helferskirchen, Giesenhausen, Nister, Görgeshausen, Guckheim, Oberelbert

For the overview of the wider region: Westerwald.