Gackenbach combines circular trails through a varied landscape with a Neo-Gothic church, organ history and the Westerwald Wildlife Park. When planning your visit, it is worth noting the different options: the Wäller Tour Buchfinkenland is a single circular trail, while the Nordic Walking Park comprises several interconnected routes. There are also traces of local and mining history, as well as practical information about getting there.
Hiking through forests, meadows and rocky landscapes
The certified Nordic Walking Park offers more than 50 kilometres of trails and seven interconnected routes with varying levels of difficulty. The entrance portal is located behind the parish church. Another option is the Wäller Tour Buchfinkenland: this 14-kilometre circular trail passes around Gackenbach, Hübingen and Horbach. The stated distance may vary slightly depending on the map or temporary diversions.
Along the Wäller Tour, you’ll find forest meadows, streams and small rock formations. The trail runs through the Stelzenbach State Forest FFH site. The Buchfinkenland, including Gackenbach, lies within Nassau Nature Park. In good visibility, the heights offer repeated views across the Westerwald landscape. The route thus combines protected landscapes, diverse natural features and far-reaching views; however, visibility depends on the weather conditions.
Westerwald Wildlife Park: animals and nature
The Westerwald Wildlife Park in Gackenbach offers opportunities to experience animals and nature across 64 hectares, with more than 300 animals as well as forest and meadow areas. The park focuses on European species and endangered traditional domestic breeds; it also offers family-friendly recreation. The visitor paths are steep and not wheelchair accessible. The park also has a playground and a summer toboggan run. Before visiting, check whether these attractions will be operating during your stay.
Church, organs and local history
St. Bartholomew’s Parish Church was built in the Neo-Gothic style between 1879 and 1884 and consecrated on 25 June 1884. Its Göckel organ and Nelson organ can be coupled to form a symphonic organ ensemble. Since 2009, the Gackenbach Organ Concerts association has organised an annual concert series. The concert programme and access are subject to church scheduling, so check current dates and visiting arrangements in advance.
In the lower part of the village, a cast-iron cross marks the former site of the Chapel of the Holy Trinity, built in 1706. The Junkerspfad is also part of local lore: legend links the path to Sarnburg, and it leads in the direction of the church in Kirchähr.
The Schiefer, a rocky refuge on the present-day site of the wildlife park, served as shelter for residents of Gackenbach and Dies during the war. Another trace of mining history can be found between two ponds in the wildlife park: the spoil heap from the former mine in Gackenbach’s Goß is still visible there. In the Hübingen Valley, the historic Buckerig blast furnace processed ore from this mine.
Getting there and planning your stay
Gackenbach can be reached from Montabaur ICE station by bus route 8443; return journeys are scheduled from Gackenbach and Hübingen. As timetables may change, check the connection before travelling. There is a small car park at the starting area of the Wäller Tour, on Kirchstraße in front of the parish church. Availability and any restrictions may change.
The Zum Wiesengrund inn is 400 metres from the starting and finishing point of the Wäller Tour. If you are considering it as part of your accommodation plans, check current availability in advance. This lets you take its location in relation to the circular trail and your own travel plans into account without assuming that accommodation or services are available.
Discover more destinations: Luckenbach, Nauort, Neuhochstein, Nordhofen, Goddert, Ellenhausen, Höchstenbach, Staudt.
Back to the regional travel overview: Westerwald.
