The landscape of the municipality of Wied is shaped by the Wied Valley. Restoration measures along cycling and hiking trails link the landscape with two specific ways to explore it. There is also a protected river landscape where you may be able to spot wildlife.
Wied between the Wied Valley and nature conservation
Parts of Wied lie within the Upper Wied Valley Nature Reserve. The area covers around 204 hectares and protects the largely undisturbed upper reaches of the Wied, as well as surrounding forests and wetland habitats. Rare animals and protected bird species find a habitat in the upper Wied Valley; kingfishers may be spotted above the clear water.
This offers different ways to plan your trip: cycling and hiking suit the network of trails, while the protected area draws attention to the river, forests and wetlands. Spotting a kingfisher is a possible wildlife sighting, not a scheduled activity. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Wied, you can assess the character of the village based on whether its trails, landscape and wildlife-watching opportunities match your travel interests.
Local history as another perspective
Wied is considered a place with more than 600 years of history. This long timespan adds a historical perspective to its natural and landscape features. Choosing Wied, then, is about more than the river, forests and trails; it is also a place with a history stretching back many centuries.
More themes in the wider Westerwald destination
The wider Westerwald destination offers additional hiking, nature and cultural attractions. These broaden the regional scope of a trip without being part of Wied’s local profile.
For longer hikes, the WesterwaldSteig offers a 235-kilometre route with 16 stages. The Druidensteig runs for 94 kilometres over seven day stages through seven river valleys and features more than 30 geo-information points. The route lengths and number of stages allow for a direct comparison between the two trails; the Druidensteig also has a geological focus. Check the current route before your trip using the tour planner.
The Westerwald also offers a variety of landscapes: the Holzbach Gorge is a breakthrough valley about one kilometre long, with basalt walls up to 30 metres high. Another highlight is Stöffel Park, a former basalt quarry site covering around 140 hectares that brings together industrial heritage, geological history and nature. The TERTIÄRUM displays fossils, including the famous “Stöffel mouse”, which document around 25 million years of Earth’s history.
For culture enthusiasts, the Westerwald Ceramics Museum offers an insight into the history of working with clay. The objects on display usually originated in a Westerwald clay pit. At the museum workshop, visitors can get creative themselves under expert guidance; check the current workshop programme and booking conditions in advance. In Hachenburg, the Erlebnis-Brauerei offers beer experience tours and brewing courses. Individual appointments can be arranged by phone; confirm current arrangements directly with the brewery.
Discover more destinations: Steinebach An Der Wied, Hillscheid, Hachenburg, Kroppach, Dreisbach, Holler, Eitelborn, Alsbach.
Go to the overview of the wider destination: Westerwald.
