Wettenberg: Nature Trails, Lake and Outdoor Pool

Forest Nature Trail and Wißmar Lake

The Wettenberg Forest Nature Trail is a 4 km-long, signposted route between the Gleiberger Land comprehensive school and the tennis courts in Krofdorf. Along the route, numerous trees and shrubs are identified with name signs. The route markers and labelled plants give the trail a clear thematic focus: as well as walking through the forest, visitors can learn about the trees and shrubs. This is especially appealing if you enjoy combining exercise with a closer look at the landscape during your stay.

Wißmar Lake offers a different perspective on nature and the landscape. The former gravel pit lake lies in a loop of the Lahn surrounded by woods and meadows. After gravel extraction ended, the site was restored to nature and developed into a recreational area. Here, the present-day landscape meets the history of its former use. The forest nature trail and the lake therefore offer different experiences: the trail focuses on its signposted route and named plants, while the lake showcases the transformation of a former extraction site into a recreational area.

Pools, sunbathing lawn and activities at the outdoor pool

The “Gleiberger Land” outdoor pool in Wettenberg-Krofdorf-Gleiberg offers several distinct areas. The swimming pool is 33.5 metres long, and there are also two diving towers, at 1 and 3 metres. A non-swimmer pool and a children’s pool with slides complete the facilities. For families planning a holiday with children, the children’s pool is a specific point to consider, while the swimming pool and diving towers appeal to other interests.

There are also several options outside the pools: the complex includes an 18,000 m² sunbathing lawn, a beach volleyball court, and table tennis and giant chess. So the outdoor pool is not limited to swimming and diving. You can also factor in the lawn or one of the activities mentioned when planning your day.

Circular route in the Krofdorf Forest

The Natura Trail in the Krofdorf Forest adds another route to the options. The circular route starts and ends at the Wettenberg car park at the valuable timber storage site. Its layout therefore differs from the forest nature trail, which runs between two named points. If you choose routes based on their layout, this difference is useful to know: here, the route is a loop; the other is a signposted trail with set start and end points.

Giessen as a distinct regional focus

The wider travel destination of Giessen offers additional cultural and nature-related themes that you can include in your trip planning independently of Wettenberg’s own attractions. The Gießen Emergency Reception Camp Learning and Memorial Site houses an exhibition that opened in June 2025 about flight, arrival and new beginnings. It connects personal stories with broader historical contexts, offering a distinct focus on history.

The Botanical Garden of Justus Liebig University Giessen is Germany’s oldest university botanical garden; its older sections are still part of the grounds today. Those who would like to combine art and a city walk will find the 7.2 km-long art trail in Giessen. It runs from Ludwigsplatz via the Philosophikum I and II campus areas, including the Giessen Art Trail, past the edge of the Law and Science campus area to the Luther Oak and the Old Cemetery, and back to the starting point at the Dachcafé high-rise. Another walking option is the “Spring Moor near Rödgen” trail into the Aschborn and Uderborn nature reserve between Giessen and Rödgen.

Rail connections are another reason to head to Giessen: the station is the central railway hub for the GießenerLand region and has long-distance services. The wider travel destination thus brings together a range of themes: a memorial site, a botanical garden, an art trail, a walk in a nature reserve and an important railway station.

Choose your stay based on the experiences you want

When searching for a holiday apartment in Wettenberg, you can first consider which experiences you want to shape your stay: nature trails and landscapes, a day enjoying the outdoor pool’s facilities, or cultural and botanical attractions in the wider travel destination of Giessen. This helps you decide on the focus of your trip without treating the different places as though they were the same.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Lich, Reiskirchen, Staufenberg, Buseck, Langgöns, Hungen, Grünberg and Lollar.

Return to the main travel overview: Giessen.