Wettenberg showcases its nature and leisure activities in different ways: a marked forest nature trail, a restored lake in a loop of the Lahn, and an outdoor pool with several pools and sports facilities. When planning, it helps to consider whether you are looking for a clearly defined route, a waterside landscape, or a swimming pool with additional activities. This makes it easier to choose based on how you want to spend the day.
Trails with different route layouts
The Wettenberg Forest Nature Trail is a marked 4 km route between the Gleiberger Land secondary school and the tennis court in Krofdorf. Numerous trees and shrubs along the route are identified with nameplates. This gives the trail a tangible connection to nature beyond its length: the labeled woody plants are part of the route’s character. The Natura Trail in Krofdorfer Forest has a different focus. It is a circular route that begins and ends at the Wettenberg parking area at the Wertholzlagerplatz timber storage site. The two trails therefore differ primarily in their layout: the forest nature trail runs between two named endpoints, while the Natura Trail returns to its starting point. This distinction helps you choose between a point-to-point route and a circular trail.
Wißmar Lake and outdoor pool
Wißmar Lake is a former gravel pit lake in a loop of the Lahn surrounded by woodland and meadows. After gravel extraction ended, the site was restored and developed into a recreation area. Its origins and subsequent transformation have shaped the history of the place. The lake and the outdoor pool offer different highlights for planning a day trip: the landscape around Wißmar Lake is defined by its location in the loop of the Lahn, as well as by woodland and meadows; at the outdoor pool, swimming and leisure facilities take center stage.
The “Gleiberger Land” outdoor pool is located in Wettenberg-Krofdorf-Gleiberg. Its swimming pool is 33.5 meters long. There are also two diving towers, at 1 and 3 meters, as well as a non-swimmer pool and a children’s pool with slides. The facility also includes an 18,000 m² sunbathing lawn, a beach volleyball court, and facilities for table tennis and giant chess. The areas on offer range from pools and diving to games and time on the sunbathing lawn. If the outdoor pool is part of your travel plans, check the current opening hours before your visit.
Additional topics in the wider destination of Gießen
The wider destination of Gießen offers other cultural and botanical attractions. The Learning and Memorial Site at the Gießen Emergency Reception Center houses an exhibition that opened in June 2025. It explores flight, arrival, and new beginnings, connecting personal stories with broader historical contexts. The Botanical Garden of Justus Liebig University Giessen is Germany’s oldest university botanical garden; its historic sections are still part of the grounds today. These topics offer a different focus from Wettenberg’s trails, lake, and outdoor pool.
Gießen also has a dedicated destination for walks: the 7.2 km art trail 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 Luthereiche oak and the Old Cemetery, then back to its starting point at the Dachcafé high-rise. Compared with the 4 km Wettenberg Forest Nature Trail, it offers a longer route with a different layout in the wider destination of Gießen.
Discover more destinations: Lollar, Reiskirchen, Linden, Laubach, Grünberg, Heuchelheim, Buseck, Hungen
Go to the wider travel guide: Gießen.
