Cultural route just outside Montabaur – the sculpture trail in the Gelbach valley (large loop)

Description

The hiking trail that runs through and over the heights of the Gelbach valley and the Montabaur districts of Wirzenborn, Reckenthal, and Bladernheim has always been a popular promenade with views of Montabaur Castle in the southern Westerwald region. Here, you can combine hiking with enjoying art, as, following a total of four wood sculptor symposia at Fischerhof in 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2014, there are now 42 different wooden sculptures along the two circular hiking trails.

Approach

If you come directly from the city center of Montabaur, follow “Wirzenborner Straße” = L313. This leads into “Gelbachstraße” and takes you to the start of the tour in the district of Wirzenborn. You park directly on the right side of the L313. If you come from the south or north, take the B49; here, take the signposted exit “Gelbachtal,” which leads directly to the L313.

Public transport

With bus line 453, you can reach all districts in the Gelbach valley – the starting point of the tour in Wirzenborn, as well as Reckenthal and Bladernheim. The buses run from the central bus station at the ICE train station in Montabaur or from the stop at Konrad-Adenauer-Platz in the city center.

Parking

At the entrance to Wirzenborn on Gelbach Street in 56410 Wirzenborn, you will find marked parking spaces on the right side of the street. Here you can park your car for free and start your hike directly.

Directions

The start for this great cultural route is at the hiking car park directly on the L313 in Wirzenborn. Next to the car park, you can admire the first sculpture and begin immediately with a steep ascent past the Wirzenborn barbecue hut. Once at the top, continue along the paved panoramic path over the heights and fields of Reckenthal with a fantastic view towards Montabaur, including a view of Montabaur Castle, the city’s landmark. A hiking bench here invites you to pause and enjoy a distant view of the region.

Continue past the Water House over the heights of the Gelbach valley. After the sculpture “Sofa in the Forest,” turn left and after a few meters turn left again into the beech forest. We follow the path and continue hiking right through the forest towards Bladernheim, enjoying the great view into the valley and over Bladernheim. Past the Bladernheim barbecue hut, proceed into the village; we follow the village street and cross Gelbach Street. In front of the fountain, keep right and walk over the bridge of the Gelbach.

At the next intersection, turn left on the cycling and hiking trail through the forest toward the deserted village of Sespenroth and continue to Reckenthal. The community of Sespenroth existed until 1853 and was abandoned. On Easter Tuesday, March 29, 1853, 13 families with 48 people left for Bremen. From Bremen, the emigrants traveled to New York. In June 1853, they reached their new home in Milwaukee in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Today, only a memorial plaque on the deserted village recalls the former village.

After the deserted area, at the next intersection, keep right toward Wirzenborn, following the cycling and hiking trail along the Gelbach through the forest. After the fish ponds, cross the street and enjoy the floodplains of the Eisenbach valley. We continue following the cycling and hiking trail along a rock passage. After a short ascent, we reach Wirzenborn and follow the village street back to the hiking car park at the L313.

Safety instructions

Please wear sturdy footwear and weather-appropriate, functional clothing that protects you from cold and wet or heat and sun. Also bring enough fluids; there are not always places to stop for refreshments.

Equipment

For this route: don’t forget binoculars ...

Tips

After the hike, I refresh myself in the traditional inn “Wirzenborner Liss” (closed Wednesdays). Here, I can also visit the adjoining motorcycle museum or the well-known pilgrimage church of Wirzenborn beyond the local borders.

Literature

A free info flyer with a hiking map and a description of all sculptures is available at the Tourist Information Montabaur or online at www.suedlicher-westerwald.de

Destination

Hiking car park on the L313, Gelbachstraße 56410 Wirzenborn

Starting Point

Hiking car park on the L313, Gelbachstraße 56410 Wirzenborn