Friedewald is located in the Westerwald in the north of Rhineland-Palatinate, near the borders with North Rhine-Westphalia and Hesse. Hiking trails and the history of Friedewald Castle offer different perspectives on the town: you can choose a circular hike based on its distance while also discovering traces of the former County of Sayn-Altenkirchen. When planning, it is important to distinguish between the trails and a visit to the castle, as the castle and its park are not generally open to the public.
Circular Routes of Different Lengths
The Friedewald circular hiking route is divided into a short and a long loop. The routes range from 1.3 to 10.3 kilometres, with walking times of up to three hours. Along the way, the route passes the White Angel Crypt, a quarry biotope, the Old School and Friedewald Castle. This connects several different sights without requiring you to commit to just one route length.
A longer, moderately difficult hiking option is a section of the Druidensteig: it runs for 13.5 kilometres from Daaden to the Elkenrother Weiher and passes through Friedewald. There, hikers can see the castle with its onion dome and massive wooden gate. The route continues through meadow landscapes towards the Neunkhausen-Weitefeld Plateau. Compared with the Friedewald circular hiking route, this is described as a longer route of moderate difficulty; the local route, by contrast, offers two loops ranging from 1.3 to 10.3 kilometres.
The Castle and the County’s History
The history of Friedewald Castle dates back to the early 14th century. The Counts of Sayn founded the castle around 1320. In 1324, Gottfried II of Sayn received the right to build a fortified castle in Friedewald; that same year, the settlement was granted town rights. During the Thirty Years’ War, Friedewald Castle served as the county’s last refuge. From 1671 to 1791, Friedewald was the main seat of the County of Sayn-Altenkirchen.
The main building dates to 1580 and 1582, with extensions added in 1609. Between 1885 and 1895, the main building underwent extensive restoration and renovation; the courtyard façade is designed in the Late Renaissance style. Basalt lava from the Eifel was used in work on the castle. Dehio ranks Friedewald Castle among the most distinctive examples of German princely Mannerist castles.
The protected historic district of the old town includes the castle, remains of the town fortifications and the originally walled settlement area. The surviving remains of the fortifications include low sections of wall to the east and west, as well as part of a round rubble-stone tower in the northeast. The burial site of the castle lords lies east of the settlement. Its features include a path, an entrance gate, a crypt with an angel and two monuments dating from around 1900.
Park, Events and Access
The castle complex includes a five-hectare English-style park with an integrated rose garden and several 120-year-old giant sequoias. Mature trees and romantic planting provide a setting for events. Friedewald Castle offers options for corporate events and private celebrations; seminars and workshops, for example on yoga, relaxation, photography and painting, are also offered at the castle and on its grounds. Civil or non-religious wedding ceremonies can be held in historic rooms, beneath the courtyard lime tree or in the rose garden. Advance booking or confirmation of availability is important for events and wedding ceremonies.
Although the circular hiking route passes the castle, the castle and park are not generally open to the public. Group visits are possible only by prior arrangement; check the access conditions before planning a visit. The outdoor areas are wheelchair-accessible, and an accessible toilet is available. The castle itself can be reached only by stairs. There is currently no public food service at the castle, meaning no restaurant, café or beer garden.
Discover more destinations: Schutzbach, Nisterberg, Biersdorf, Emmerzhausen.
Go to the main travel overview: Daaden.
