Ehlscheid combines hiking routes with attractions in the spa park and its own Discovery Trail. When planning your trip, it is worth considering the route, elevation gain, and trail character: the circular trails differ in these respects, and the local attractions range from hiking to sensory and nature-themed activities.
Hiking Routes by Distance and Profile
The E1 circular hiking trail to Forsthaus Gommerscheid is 5.8 kilometers long and has an elevation gain of about 185 meters. It is an easy hike on good paths, with beautiful far-reaching views from the heights. A hiking map in PDF format and a GPX file are available for the E1. The E3 circular hiking trail, “Views of the Wied Valley,” starts at the parking lot by the Ehlscheid spa park, is 6.5 kilometers long, and has an elevation gain of about 454 meters. The two routes are similar in length, but their elevation gains differ considerably. The E4, “On Both Sides of the Laubach,” is shorter at 3.9 kilometers and has an elevation gain of about 140 meters; it runs almost entirely through the forest. This lets you compare the tours using their stated figures, rather than looking only at the distance.
The E2 also has a distinctive trail profile: the first half includes a longer, sometimes steep descent; from the “Almblick” onward, the trail climbs continuously and is also steep in places. Ankle-high hiking boots are recommended for the E2. If you prefer to hike in a group, guided hikes for interested participants are offered from Ehlscheid on Saturdays. They last about two to three hours. Before joining, check the current monthly schedule and contact the person listed there to register.
Spa Park and Nature Trails
Ehlscheid’s spa park has a large Kneipp wading pool. The Ehlscheid barefoot trail winds through the park as a sensory course and features nine large sections with different surfaces, including pebbles, shell sand, and coconut mats. It is a good idea to check the trail’s current condition before visiting. The spa park is also home to a tree trail with 13 information boards describing the trees. The park thus offers several different ways to explore nature and sensory experiences.
The approximately 800-meter-long Ehlscheid Discovery Trail, “With Helos and Heloni in the Local Forest,” is a circular route with numerous stations where visitors can take part, marvel, and enjoy themselves. Information boards share facts about plants and animals. The trail is a popular destination for kindergarten and school trips. Its stations give the walk a different focus from the longer hiking trails: here, small discoveries and the explanatory information along the route take center stage.
Hiking in the Surrounding Area
Ehlscheid is located in the Rhine-Westerwald Nature Park and near the Rheinsteig and Westerwaldsteig trails. The Klosterweg also has a special connection to the town: along the route, the Kneipp facility in Ehlscheid offers a first refreshment after the strenuous climb. When planning your hiking days, you can therefore choose between the local circular trails, the nature trails, and these other named hiking routes.
Getting Your Bearings Locally
The Tourist Information Office in the “Haus des Gastes,” at Parkstraße 2, is a resource for residents and visitors with questions about tourism, recreation, and leisure in and around Ehlscheid. It can be helpful if you have questions about local attractions during your stay. If you are joining a guided hike, be sure to check the monthly schedule and register in advance; for the nature trails described here, you can instead explore the route and station themes.
Discover more destinations: Bruchhausen, Bad Hönningen, Neuwied, Linz Am Rhein, Urbach, Elgert, Dierdorf, Hochscheid
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