Discover Zweifall: Hiking Trails, Stream Valleys and Forest History

Zweifall combines forest paths, stream valleys and a remarkable history of craftsmanship. The village developed because of its favourable location at the confluence of the Vicht and Hasselbach rivers. Those looking for a holiday apartment in Zweifall can therefore plan their trip entirely according to their preferred daily rhythm: with a longer circular hike, a shorter section or a tour exploring historical traces.

Hiking trails for different day plans

A good starting point is the signposted circular hiking trail of IG Unser Dorf Zweifall. The loop is 15.5 km long, begins and ends in the village centre and includes 255 metres of ascent and descent. Shorter sections from 3 km offer another way to get to know the surrounding area in a manageable stretch. The trail runs mainly along wide forest tracks. For planning purposes, time-unrestricted parking spaces are available at the entrance to Zweifall from the direction of Vicht. The Zweifall Kirche public transport stop is also useful for orientation.

Another option is the moderately difficult Hasselbach Loop, which is 13.1 km long. The start and finish are at the Solchbachtal car park in 52222 Stolberg-Zweifall. The Bachtäler-Höhenroute also begins in Zweifall. Its first stage covers 15.5 km to Simonskall and initially runs along the Hasselbach and Gieschetbach streams. When choosing your accommodation, you can therefore take into account whether you want to focus on a complete loop, a stage or a shorter hike.

Church, sawmill and traces of earlier work

Zweifall can also be discovered on various cultural levels. The Protestant church was built in 1683/84 and is one of the region’s oldest original Lutheran places of worship. The keystone of the archway above its portal bears the inscription “God’s word remains forever”. This gives the village tour a specific historical detail that can be combined well with the other testimonies of the past.

At the Zweifall Museum Sawmill, the saw frame dates from 1934; it was built in Aue, Saxony. The history of the sawmills goes back further, however: the first facilities in Zweifall were initially powered by water, and later by steam and electricity. From the 16th century onwards, numerous charcoal-burning sites were established around the village. Dark, round depressions in the forest floor remain as visible traces of former charcoal-burning sites.

On the outskirts of Zweifall, there are also traces of the former Junkershammer, a hammer mill from the 17th century that was powered by the force of the Vicht. Along the Klapperweg, mill channels, ponds and old weirs along the Vicht show how water became the basis for craftsmanship and early businesses in the valley, as well as how it was tamed, divided and channelled. On a guided hike, you can also see numerous well-preserved ironworks.

Special destinations for exploring together

Other destinations in Zweifall include a forest nature trail and the world’s longest bench, measuring 34 m. It was made from a single Douglas fir trunk. Such unusual stops add an easily remembered highlight to the nature and history experiences. Another page in this selection is Venwegen.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Zweifall, it is worth deciding first what you want to focus on: long trails and metres of elevation, a shorter loop, stream valleys or the history of the church, sawmill and water-powered crafts.

For the overarching travel overview: Stolberg.