Monastery and chapel as cultural highlights

Two distinctive cultural highlights in Dernbach (Westerwald) are the Maria-Hilf monastery complex and Heilborn Chapel. The monastery complex includes a monastery church, which was built and consecrated in 1861. A triptych dating from 1876 depicts the founder, Maria Katharina Kasper. The motherhouse also houses the “Katharina’s Traces” exhibition, featuring her letters and personal belongings. The building’s history, portrait and personal testimonies offer different ways to explore the founder’s story.

Heilborn Chapel near Dernbach was built in 1692. Katharina Kasper used it as a place of prayer and refuge; a protected lime tree stands beside the chapel. The chapel is open daily until dusk. As access may change, check locally before your visit.

There are also various ways to plan your route: Heilborn Chapel is connected to the WR 2 hiking trail and the Aubachroute cycle network. “Heilborn with Marian Chapel” is listed as a sight on the Heilbornweg in Dernbach. For the Heilbornweg, the IVV participation rating is based on the kilometres walked and is assessed daily. This makes it possible to distinguish between the options by activity: WR 2 for hiking, the Aubachroute for cycling, and the Heilbornweg with its kilometre-based IVV rating.

More to explore in the wider Westerwald destination

The wider Westerwald destination also offers long-distance hiking trails as another option for planning your trip. The WesterwaldSteig is 235 kilometres long, runs through the Westerwald and has 16 stages. Check the current route planner before departure when deciding on stages and daily sections. An interactive hiking-pass system includes the WesterwaldSteig, the Wiedweg, the Wäller Touren and the Kleinen Wäller. The Druidensteig runs for 94 kilometres in seven day stages through seven river valleys and features more than 30 geo-information points. Check the latest information about these points before setting out.

The landscape destinations in the Westerwald also offer contrasting highlights: At 657 metres, the Fuchskaute is the highest point in the Westerwald. The Holzbach Gorge is a breakthrough valley about one kilometre long, with basalt walls up to 30 metres high. The Westerwald Lake District is a natural area with seven ponds. When choosing places to visit in the region, you can weigh up different features: a high point, a basalt formation or a landscape of ponds.

In the Westerwald, the Stöffel Park covers around 140 hectares on the site of a former basalt quarry and brings together industrial heritage, geological history and nature. The TERTIÄRUM at Stöffel Park displays fossils, including the famous “Stöffel Mouse”, which document around 25 million years of geological history. The Westerwald Ceramics Museum explores the history of working with clay; the objects on display usually originate from a Westerwald clay pit. Visitors can get creative themselves in the well-equipped museum workshop, with expert guidance. Check the workshop programme and booking conditions before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Meudt, Caan, Hillscheid, Oberhaid, Wallmerod, Liebenscheid, Korb, Nisterau

Back to the regional travel overview: Westerwald.