Discover Limburg-Weilburg

Townscapes, architecture and history

Runkel brings together two distinct historic landmarks. The medieval castle was first mentioned in 1159 and continues to shape the townscape today. The Lahn Bridge dates from 1448 and is one of the oldest bridges on the Lahn to have been preserved in its original condition. If you are interested in historic townscapes and architecture, you will find two different points of interest here: the castle, a landmark visible from afar, and the bridge, a testament to the Lahn’s long history of use.

In Limburg, the half-timbered old town is a destination in its own right: it is one of the few medieval town centres in Germany to have survived undamaged and has been exemplary restored. Perched on a steep rock above the Lahn, St. George’s Cathedral towers over the river. Its seven towers make it the town’s landmark; as a cultural monument, it is of European significance. If you are more interested in the history of princely residences, Weilburg Castle is well worth a visit. Built on a mountain spur high above the Lahn, it is one of Hesse’s most significant cultural monuments. Themed and costumed tours of the Baroque residence offer a distinctive way to explore it.

The history of technology and remembrance also have their place here. Built between 1844 and 1847, the ship tunnel in Weilburg is the oldest and longest navigable shipping tunnel in Germany. Together with the cupola lock at its lower entrance, it forms a unique technical monument. In Hadamar, the memorial on Mönchberg commemorates the victims of Nazi “euthanasia” crimes. The monastery ruins on Beselicher Kopf, meanwhile, are the remains of the basilica of a former Premonstratensian convent. Extensively renovated, the ruins are a starting point for scenic hiking trails.

Hiking, cycling and exploring the Lahn

There are several described options for hiking. The Lahn Hiking Trail runs through Runkel, as do the permanent trails “In the Steep Slopes of the Lahn” and “Through the Kerkerbach Valley.” In the Hadamar region, you can choose from 17 circular hiking trails with four different starting points. The two offerings differ in their layout: you can choose between named hiking trails in Runkel and a network of circular routes with several starting points in the Hadamar region. The ruins on Beselicher Kopf connect the history of the former monastery with another starting point for hikes.

Cycling options also range from long-distance routes to shorter tours. The Lahn Cycle Route is 245 kilometres long, has a four-star certification and is very well connected to public transport via the Lahn Valley Railway. In Runkel, the Lahn Cycle Route and the Kerkerbach Valley Cycle Route invite you to explore by bike. One clearly described alternative is Route Plan 1: a 48-kilometre, moderately challenging circular tour. It starts in Limburg, runs through the Kerkerbach Valley and the Hessian Westerwald, passes through Hadamar and returns to Limburg. Its length and difficulty rating provide clear guidance if you are looking for a shorter, named route rather than making the entire Lahn Cycle Route your focus.

A canoe trip makes for a distinctive part of a stay on the water. The Runkel canoe station offers one- or multi-day trips for individual travellers and groups, using Canadian canoes and kayaks. The service includes equipment, an introduction and passenger transfers; special offers are also available for groups and families. On a canoe trip in Weilburg, you can pass through the only shipping tunnel that is still navigable. This passage lets you experience the technical monument from a special perspective.

Nature destinations and special discoveries

The Tiergarten Weilburg wildlife park has a 400-year tradition. In a natural setting, visitors can observe native animal species, including bears, wolves, moose, wisents and aurochs, as well as red deer, wild boar, ibex and mouflon. The Kubach Crystal Cave offers a very different natural experience: it is the only crystal cave in Germany, surrounded by 350-million-year-old limestone and adorned with numerous crystals and pearl-like stalactites. The Mensfelder Kopf nature reserve is a European Flora-Fauna-Habitat conservation area, protecting habitats for many animal and plant species, some of them rare.

Further discoveries range from industrial history to regional traditions. The Mining and Town Museum gives you the opportunity to explore the historic underground mining of iron ore in the original, preserved Tiefen Stollen. At Model Building Park 1:8, the focus is on a miniature world of more than 2,500 square metres at a scale of 1:8; a ride on a diesel locomotive is part of the experience. The Selters Water Museum takes you through the Art Nouveau fountain temple dating from 1907, the visitors’ drinking room and the reception rooms at the Selters spring, known since 1536. On guided tours, you can taste the original Selters water; tours are available by prior arrangement.

The Beselich pilgrimage chapel also tells the story of regional religious heritage. The Franciscan hermit Leonhard Niederstraßen built it in 1763; in 1767, it was dedicated to Mary Help of Christians and the Fourteen Holy Helpers. To this day, it is a destination for pilgrimages from the region.

Choosing the right place for your trip

When choosing a holiday apartment, you can start by deciding which experiences you want to shape your stay: historic townscapes, cultural monuments, hiking, cycling routes, nature destinations or a canoe trip. The places differ in the offerings described here; choosing a location based on your personal interests can help narrow down your search. More local pages: Runkel, Löhnberg, Hadamar, Mengerskirchen, Villmar, Weilburg, Limburg an der Lahn, Bad Camberg, Elbtal, Weilmünster, Selters, Hintermeilingen, Hünfelden, Elz, Weinbach, Dornburg, Brechen, Fussingen.

For the broader travel overview: Hesse.