Ellenhausen lies at the confluence of the Sayn and Kleine Saynbach. Extensive meadows and quiet forests shape the landscape and offer opportunities for hiking, cycling and experiencing nature. The village’s history also goes back a long way: Ellenhausen was first mentioned in a document in 1100 and has preserved its rural village character, shaped by regional traditions and country life. For those who appreciate landscapes and village history, these offer two clear ways to understand the place as a travel destination.
Hiking, cycling and getting there
The El1, Ellenhausen 1, is a six-kilometre hiking route between Selters and Ellenhausen and is associated with the Saynbach. Another route description concerns cycling: the Ellenhausener Weiher is the first stage of a twelve-kilometre cycling tour through Ellenhausen. This distinguishes a designated hiking route from a cycling tour of a different length. As route information can change, check the latest details before setting out.
There is also a bus connection: Route 461 serves Ellenhausen on a route connecting Selters or Dierdorf with Ransbach-Baumbach. Routes, operators and timetables can change. So check the current VRM or Westerwaldkreis timetable before travelling.
Lakes, trails and nearby attractions
The Westerwald Lake District, a nature reserve with seven ponds, is nearby. An extensive network of hiking and cycling trails offers opportunities to explore the ponds; trail details may change over time and should be checked before planning a specific outing. Also nearby is Klingelweiher, a spring-fed swimming lake with a sunbathing lawn, terrace, kiosk, playground and pedal-boat hire. Before travelling, check locally which facilities and services are available. Grenzau Castle is also nearby. It has Germany’s only triangular keep.
Village history and visible traces
The wooden cross in Ellenhausen was erected by the municipality and blessed on 24 August 1856. After being renovated in 1980, it stands on Sayntalstraße at the edge of the village in the direction of Deesen and Sessenhausen. Its history links a precisely dated event with a landmark in the village that can still be identified today.
Clay mining is also part of the village’s history: a clay pit was opened near the cemetery in 1913, providing work for local residents. Today, a lake is located on the site of a former clay pit and is used as a fishing pond and recreational facility. If you plan specific activities there, confirm the current use locally.
The Westerwald as a regional setting
In the wider Westerwald travel region, long-distance hiking trails offer a broader scale alongside local routes. The WesterwaldSteig is 235 kilometres long and runs through the Westerwald in 16 stages. The Druidensteig covers 94 kilometres in seven daily stages, passing through seven river valleys and offering more than 30 geo-information points. For planning stages on the WesterwaldSteig, consult the current route planner; the geo-information may also change.
Stöffel-Park offers a different regional theme: the approximately 140-hectare site of a former basalt quarry brings together industrial heritage, geological history and nature. The park’s TERTIÄRUM displays fossils, including the famous “Stöffel mouse,” which document around 25 million years of Earth’s history. Thus, alongside hiking trails, geology and industrial heritage are also available as themes for planning a trip in the Westerwald.
Discover more destinations: Welschneudorf, Liebenscheid, Luckenbach, Meudt, Steinebach An Der Wied, Wied, Eitelborn, Staudt.
View the broader travel overview: Westerwald.
