Two particularly tangible themes come together in Rettert: hiking trails along the Limes and traces of the village’s history. The Limes runs through the municipality and has been protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005. When planning your visit, the main attractions are the trails along the Limes, the natural scenery around the Hasenbach stream and historic buildings in the village. If you are looking for a hotel for your stay in Rettert, you can use these themes as a starting point for your choice.
Hiking trails between the Limes and the Hasenbach
A circular hike starting in Rettert follows the Hessenstraße to the Holzhausen Roman fort, continues along the Limes Hiking Trail and returns via the former route of the Nassau Narrow-Gauge Railway. Its route combines a visit to the fort with the Limes Hiking Trail; the return leg follows the former railway line.
Another hike is 3 kilometres long. It starts at the cemetery car park and descends through the forest to the Sauerbrunnen spring and the Hasenbach stream. From there, the route follows woodland edges rich in flowers to the outdoor swimming pool in the forest. The two trails offer different highlights for planning your day: the circular hike takes in the fort and the Limes, while the shorter route focuses on the stream, spring and woodland edges.
Rettert is also one of six municipalities that jointly developed the Three Forts Circular Trail. The route uses sections of the Loreley-Aar Cycle Route, the Limes Long-Distance Hiking Trail and the German Limes Cycle Route. Its main destinations for Limes hikers include Holzhausen Fort, Pfarrhofen small fort, watchtower 2/25 and the reconstructed Pohl Limes Fort. One variant follows the Hessenstraße to Rettert and then runs along the Rettertbach stream into the Hasenbach valley. Check current trail conditions before setting out.
Springs and Roman traces
Rettert forms the southern tip of Nassau Nature Park. The Hasenbach rises in the municipality, alongside the Limes. Two mineral springs are located right beside the stream. Remains of a Roman villa with a bathhouse have also been found at the Hasenbach spring. Here, natural springs and a specific archaeological find sit side by side—a distinctive feature in addition to the hiking trails along the Limes.
Church, conservation area and half-timbering
The listed Protestant parish church dates from the 17th or 18th century and has a Gothic west tower. It stands within the conservation area, which includes parts of Rheinstraße and Pfarrgasse. Five farmsteads west of the church retain residential buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries with half-timbered façades. The village’s history can thus be read in its different architectural forms: in the Gothic church tower and the half-timbered façades of the houses.
Local traditions are also part of Rettert’s character: the Fahlerkerb festival is celebrated every three years and is a longstanding local tradition. Landgasthof Gemmer is considered one of Germany’s oldest distilleries still in operation; the establishment is associated with the production of single malt whisky. If you are interested in current production or a visit, check locally in advance to find out what is available.
Discover more destinations: Niedertiefenbach, Berghausen, Ebertshausen, Gutenacker, Herold.
Go to the main travel overview: Katzenelnbogen.
