If you choose Obererbach (Westerwald) for a stay, you can choose between an official local route, the Wichtelweg and a stage of the WesterwaldSteig. There are also historic tunnel traces and a railway station that still serves as a stop. The hikes vary in length and character; the distances given help you estimate your own day’s itinerary without specifying a walking time.

Hiking: Local Route and WesterwaldSteig

The official Obererbach hiking route is 7.5 kilometres long and marked with a yellow OE on a black background. It includes a shelter with a view into the valley; the scenery and views can change with the seasons. Before setting out, check for local diversions and follow the trail markers along the way.

A longer option is the eleventh stage of the WesterwaldSteig: it passes through Marienthal and by the Raiffeisenturm before reaching Obererbach railway station. This 9.4-kilometre long-distance hiking stage is rated moderate and offers views over the Bergisches Land, the Siebengebirge and the Altenkirchen region towards the Westerwald. It is just under two kilometres longer than the local route; the “moderate” rating refers to this stage. Views of these landscapes may vary by season.

There is also a connecting trail of about 1.4 kilometres from the Raiffeisenturm to Obererbach railway station. It is marked with a green W on a yellow background. You can plan the WesterwaldSteig stage as a point-to-point hike: park at Obererbach railway station, take the train to the starting point in Marienthal and walk back. Before departing, check the current train service and follow the local trail signs.

Discovery Trail and Historic Traces

The Obererbach Wichtelweg is a discovery trail from the Willi-Eichelhard-Steg at the community centre to the level crossing by the Forsthaus. Small figures line the trail; it was created by residents together with children. This gives it a different character from the longer hiking routes, without requiring a set walking time. Check the current trail conditions before your visit.

Historic traces include the Marienthal tunnel portal, built around 1895. A disused ore adit adapted as a bat roost is also located on the access route to the WesterwaldSteig. The railway station also dates from 1895 and is the only historic building in the municipality to be listed. It continues to serve as a stop. The station building itself is privately owned and was renovated according to the original plans.

Other Activities and Getting There

If you are looking for another activity besides hiking, Obererbach has a pond where fishing is possible. Check the local rules before fishing. For a meal, there is a wine tavern with a restaurant that is available by reservation; confirm availability and make a reservation before you arrive.

The Wald- und Wiesentour has a direct rail connection via the Westerwald-Sieg Railway (RB 90). The route links Siegen, Au/Sieg, Altenkirchen, Hachenburg and Limburg. As train services can change, check the operator’s current information if you plan to include rail travel in your itinerary.

Altenkirchen as a Regional Context

In the wider Altenkirchen travel destination, Marienthal is a popular pilgrimage site. There, the Klosterdorfweg circles the former Franciscan monastery through the shaded Kurwald of the Archdiocese of Cologne. Another historical connection is in Flammersfeld in the Altenkirchen district: in 1849, Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen founded the “Flammersfelder Hülfsverein zur Unterstützung unbemittelter Landwirthe” (Flammersfeld Aid Association for Supporting Impoverished Farmers), the world’s first loan fund association. These places and stories add regional cultural history to the picture of Obererbach without attributing their distinctive features to the village itself.

Discover more destinations: Kirchen, Helmeroth, Hamm, Altenkirchen, Wissen, Betzdorf, Gebhardshain, Neitersen.

Return to the main travel overview: Altenkirchen.