- Family friendly
- Refreshment stop
- Circular route
Rothaarsteig trail Breitscheid cave tour
Coral reefs, caves, tunnels, burial chambers, gorges and winding streams - experience the immense geological diversity of the Westerwald on the Breitscheid cave tour!
Tour starting point:
Hikers' parking lot Wildweiberhäuschen near Haiger-Langenaubach
Tour destination point:
Hikers' parking lot Wildweiberhäuschen near Haiger-Langenaubach
Properties:
Additional Information
You can find more information about the Rothaarsteig at www.rothaarsteig.de and by calling the free service hotline on +49 2974 499 4163, where we will be happy to advise you personally on your tour planning
Category
regionaler WanderwegLength
14.4 kmDuration
3:55 hElevation ascent
328 mElevation descent
328 mLowest point
322 mHighest point
554 mCondition
Difficulty
Recommended seasons
The hike begins at the Wildweiberhäuschen hiking parking lot. The actual Wildweiberhäuschen is a legendary, striking limestone rock to which you can make a detour at the end of the hike. From the parking lot, the trail runs along an avenue adorned with the trees of the year towards Breitscheid. From the edge of the village, the trail leads across open fields to the entrance of the Herbstlabyrinth stalactite cave. It is worth taking part in one of the guided tours of the cave. However, advance booking is required: www.schauhoehle-breitscheid.de
Later, you descend into the idyllic Gasseschlucht gorge in the direction of Erdbach. This is followed by the ascent to the large and small stone chambers and the foxhole. The reward is a view of a large natural amphitheater. The tour then continues to Breitscheid, where you can stop for refreshments. The trail continues through the Aubach valley, which is lined with basalt blocks that were transported there during the last ice age. After the railroad bridge, you can take a detour to the Wildweiberhäuschen or continue on the marked route.
From the Aubach valley, the route now climbs up to the "Zu den wilden Weibern" rest stop at the Langenaubach log cabin (open on Sundays and public holidays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. from April to October). Shortly afterwards, you will be back at the starting point of the hike.
Information
Directions
Alternatively, you can also start the tour in Breitscheid in the town center. However, there are only very few parking spaces available here.The parking lot at the DorfLadenCafe Breitscheid-Erdbach (Denkmalstraße) and the parking lot at Breitscheid Airport are very close to the trail.
Safety guidelines
Information about the rescue signs on the Rothaarsteig
Most hiking trails run away from towns and settlements and every hiker has thought about what would happen if an emergency were to occur. How can I be found here? Where am I anyway? Can the emergency services reach me?
In an emergency, things have to happen quickly! That's why the Rothaarsteig is equipped with so-called rescue signs throughout. The green and white plaques attached to the posts of the signposts have a number that you must give when making an emergency call. This way, the emergency services know exactly where you are and valuable time can be saved.
Note on the increased risk of forest fires
Please bear in mind that there is an increased risk of forest fires, especially in dry weather! Therefore, please observe the following instructions:
- Observe the legal ban on smoking in the forest - it applies in spring, summer and fall, more precisely: from March 1 to October 31.
- Observe the ban on open fires in the forest and within 100 meters of the forest.
- Take glass out of the forest - the burning glass effect can cause forest fires.
When it is (too) late:
- Extinguish small incipient fires if you can do so safely. Check the area carefully if necessary.
- Report fires via "112".
- Leave the danger zone by the shortest route.
The forest will thank you!
Author Tip
Crown your hike with a walk into the underworld and descend into the Herbstlabyrinth stalactite cave, which was only discovered a few years ago. Tickets and further information can be found at www.schauhoehle-breitscheid.de. The cave is open at weekends from April to November. In addition to guided tours on certain dates, events ranging from concerts to photo workshops are also offered in the special atmosphere of the cave. www.schauhoehle-breitscheid.de/veranstaltungen. Please register for guided tours and events in good time. Spontaneous participation is rarely possible due to the high level of interest.
Another insider tip is the interactive pottery museum in Breitscheid. The guided tours and pottery courses are particularly interesting here. The museum is open from May to September on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month from 15:00 - 17:00. You can find more information here.
If you are out and about at the weekend, you should pay a visit to the "Zu den wilden Weibern" rest stop, which is always open on Sundays from 11 am to 5 pm from April to October!
Refreshment stops:
Ströhmann country inn, Gusternhain
Rest stop "Zu den wilden Weibern", Langenaubach
Restaurant Zum Cockpit Breitscheid
Hofcafé and Hofgut Begegnungen, Breitscheid
Literature
Book recommendations by the author
To help you prepare for your hike, we will be happy to send you our free information pack. At www.rothaarst eig.de/prospekte you can easily select the information you need. A good companion for every tour is our brochure "Rothaarsteig Wegweiser" (Rothaarsteig Trail Guide) with the accommodation providers along the trail and other useful information.
Maps
Author's recommended maps
The original Rothaarsteig hiking map at a scale of 1:50,000, divided into two sheets (sheet north / sheet south), with up-to-date route guidance and useful markings such as shelters, parking lots, bus stops and much more, can be ordered free of shipping costs at www.rothaarsteig.de/wanderkarte.
The Rothaarsteig trails also have their own small brochure with the most important information and a map as well as a hiking pass. You can download this at www.rothaarsteig.de/prospekte or order it to your home free of charge. Once you have hiked a trail, have your hiking pass stamped at a refreshment stop, tourist information office or other point along the way. If you have hiked at least eight of the 14 tours, you will receive a hiking certificate, a Rothaarsteig pin and you will be entered into our annual prize draw.
Public transit
You can also start this tour in Breitscheid at the town hall. Bus route 510 runs from Herborn station to Breitscheid on Mondays to Saturdays.
Parking
Parking lot "Wildweiberhäuschen" on the road between Haiger-Langenaubach and Breitscheid (50.70620376963141, 8.191908286917604)
Parking lot at the DorfLadenCafe Breitscheid-Erdbach (Denkmalstraße)
Parking lot at Breitscheid airport
Parking lot in the center of Breitscheid (only a few parking spaces)