A shipping tunnel that can be navigated by canoe brings the history of technology to life in Weilburg. At the same time, discoveries in Limburg-Weilburg range from medieval buildings, art and local history to wildlife and cave geology. When planning your trip, you can first decide whether to focus on culture, cycling and hiking trails, or wildlife watching.
Runkel: Medieval History and Trails
Runkel Castle was first mentioned in 1159 and still defines the townscape today. The historic Lahn Bridge dates from 1448 and is one of the oldest bridges on the Lahn to have been preserved in its original condition. These dates mark different historical milestones: the castle’s first mention and the bridge’s construction.
The Lahn Hiking Trail runs through Runkel, as do the permanent hiking trails “In the Steep Slopes of the Lahn” and “Through the Kerkerbach Valley.” The Lahn Cycle Path and the Kerkerbach Valley Cycle Path invite you to explore by bike. Runkel Canoe Station offers canoe trips for individuals and groups, lasting one or several days, in Canadian canoes and kayaks. Equipment, an introduction and passenger transfers are included; special offers are available for groups and families. Check the current packages before your trip.
One cycling option with a specified distance is Route Plan 1: this 48-kilometre, moderately difficult tour runs from Limburg through the Kerkerbach Valley and the Hessian Westerwald, then via Hadamar back to Limburg. The four-star-certified Lahn Cycle Path is 245 kilometres long and very well connected to public transport via the Lahntalbahn railway. Route conditions can change; check them before setting out.
Weilburg: Art, Residence and Technology
Weilburg Palace was built on a mountain spur high above the Lahn and is one of Hesse’s most important cultural monuments. The Rosenhang Museum was established in the former August Helbig brewery and presents contemporary art in changing exhibitions across around 2,000 square metres. Studios are also available there for artists. The Mining and Town Museum offers a different perspective on the area’s past: visitors can explore the historic underground mining of iron ore in the original, preserved Deep Tunnel.
Weilburg Shipping Tunnel was built between 1844 and 1847. It is Germany’s oldest and longest navigable shipping tunnel; together with the circular lock at its lower exit, it forms a unique technical monument. On a canoe trip in Weilburg, visitors can pass through the only ship tunnel that is still navigable. This allows you to experience the technical structure not just as a building, but also from the water.
History, Faith and Townscape
On guided tours of the Selters Water Museum, you can taste the original Selters water: in the Art Nouveau spring temple from 1907, in the house-drinking room and in the reception rooms at the Selters spring, known since 1536. Tours are available by prior arrangement. The Beselich Pilgrimage Chapel was built in 1763 by the Franciscan hermit Leonhard NiederstraĂźen, dedicated to Mary Help of Christians in 1767, and consecrated to the Fourteen Holy Helpers. To this day, it is a destination for pilgrimages from the region.
The ruins of a former Premonstratensian convent basilica also stand atop Beselicher Kopf. The association for the preservation of the monastery ruins has extensively renovated them; they are also a starting point for scenic hiking trails. In Hadamar, the memorial on Mönchberg commemorates the victims of the Nazi euthanasia crimes.
In Limburg, the historic half-timbered Old Town is one of the few medieval town centres in Germany that escaped destruction; it has been exemplary restored. Limburg Cathedral of St. George, the town’s landmark, towers above the Lahn on a steep rock. With its seven towers, it is a cultural monument of European significance.
Nature and Wildlife
The “Tiergarten Weilburg” wildlife park, with a 400-year tradition, offers the chance to observe native animal species in a natural setting. These include bears, wolves, moose, European bison and aurochs, as well as red deer, wild boar, ibex and mouflon. Kubach Crystal Cave offers a geological contrast: it is Germany’s only crystal cave, surrounded by 350-million-year-old limestone and adorned with numerous crystals and pearl-shaped stalactites. The “Mensfelder Kopf” nature reserve is a European Special Area of Conservation, with protected habitats for many animal and plant species, some of them rare.
Discover more destinations: Hadamar, Mengerskirchen, Villmar, Weilburg, Runkel, Löhnberg, Limburg An Der Lahn, Bad Camberg, Elbtal, Weilmünster, Selters, Hintermeilingen, Hünfelden, Elz, Weinbach, Dornburg, Brechen, Fussingen.
Go to the regional travel overview: Hesse.
