A freely accessible tree garden and the memory of a historic stopover give Neuhäusel two distinct points of interest: the arboretum draws attention to trees and paths, while local history focuses on an important route connecting the Rhine and the Westerwald. Those choosing the town for a trip will find both a specific natural attraction and a historical perspective.
Arboretum and Surrounding Forest
The Neuhäusel Arboretum covers 2.1 hectares and is home to around 150 tree species from around the world. The park is freely accessible, with paths and quiet spots shaping the visit. Check access locally before your planned visit. The compact park and the broader hiking opportunities in the nearby forest area offer different ways to experience nature.
The nearby forest area is promoted as a place for recreation in the woods. It has designated hiking trails and numerous forest car parks. Around 500 kilometres of hiking trails are spread across the entire forestry district. This figure therefore describes the district’s trail network, not just the park. The distinction is useful for planning: the arboretum has paths and quiet spots across an area of 2.1 hectares, while the forest trails belong to the larger forestry area.
Neuhäusel as a Historic Stopover
Neuhäusel’s historic character is connected with its location on an important route between the Rhine and the Westerwald. The town developed from a stopover for travellers. This history gives the destination a different perspective from a visit to the arboretum: here, the focus is on the town’s role along a travel route, while there it is on tree species and a freely accessible park. Both provide a tangible way to explore the town’s story without needing a long list of sights to visit.
Westerwald: Nature, Trails and Culture
The wider Westerwald destination offers other distinct themes for planning a trip. Stöffel Park is a former basalt quarry covering around 140 hectares, combining industrial heritage, geological history and nature. The TERTIÄRUM displays fossils, including the famous “Stöffel mouse”; they document around 25 million years of geological history. Here, the focus is on geology and industrial heritage. A different perspective on the landscape can be found at the Holzbach Gorge, which is about one kilometre long and has basalt walls up to 30 metres high. The Westerwald Lake District is a natural area with seven ponds.
The hiking trails in the Westerwald also vary in length and character. The WesterwaldSteig is 235 kilometres long and divided into 16 stages; check the current route planner before setting out. The Druidensteig runs for 94 kilometres over seven day stages through seven river valleys and features more than 30 geo-information points; the interpretive infrastructure may change. On the “Weltende” nature trail in the Kroppacher Schweiz, narrow paths, sections partly secured with wire ropes, and natural trails lead to viewpoints overlooking the Nister Valley. Conditions and access may vary seasonally, so take this into account when planning.
The Westerwald also offers different options for culture and food and drink. Hachenburg’s historic town centre is characterised by restored half-timbered houses around the Alter Markt; the Löwenbrunnen fountain is part of its historic atmosphere. The Hachenburg Brewery offers beer experience tours and brewing courses. Individual appointments can be arranged by phone; check current booking arrangements directly with the brewery. The Westerwald Ceramics Museum presents the history of working with clay. The objects on display generally originated in a Westerwald clay pit; in the museum workshop, visitors can get creative themselves under expert guidance. Find out in advance about the current workshop programme and booking conditions.
As a further source of information about the Westerwald, the Hoher Westerwald Tourist Information Office provides information on sights, day-trip destinations, hiking, cycling and Nordic walking tours, guided hikes and winter sports. It also sells, among other things, tickets for the “Herbstlabyrinth” stalactite cave. Services and ticket rules may change; check the latest information if you wish to use them.
Discover more destinations: Bad Marienberg, Neustadt/Westerwald, Astert, Dreisbach, Seck, Lochum, Oberahr, Wallmerod
Back to the wider travel overview: Westerwald.
