In Hundsdorf, local industrial history meets a specific hiking route. The HG5 leads through the Masselbach Valley to Hundsdorf and onward to the Glockenschächte geosite. This brings local history, valley scenery and historic clay mining together as distinct themes to consider when planning a stay.
Industrial History in Hundsdorf
From 1604, the Hundsdorf ironworks processed iron ore and later became a manor mill. In 1838, Germany’s first Naxos emery factory was located in a water-powered mill in the village. Its history therefore spans iron ore processing, subsequent mill operations and factory history.
The HG5 and the Masselbach Valley
The HG5 is rated moderate, measures 11.3 kilometres and is listed as taking 3.1 hours. It leads through the Masselbach Valley to Hundsdorf and onward to the Glockenschächte geosite, a remnant of historic clay mining in the Kannenbäckerland region. Along the route, two distinct histories of raw materials can be compared: iron ore and Naxos emery in Hundsdorf, and clay mining at the Glockenschächte. Before setting out, check the route planner again for the distance and difficulty rating.
The Masselbach Valley near Hundsdorf includes floodplain meadows and woodland; in spring, some areas may be especially rich in flowers. If you plan your visit around the seasonal blooms, bear in mind that they naturally vary.
Other Highlights in the Westerwald
The WesterwaldSteig offers a different scale of hiking in the Westerwald: this long-distance trail is 235 kilometres long and divided into 16 stages. In terms of distance, the HG5, at 11.3 kilometres with a stated duration of 3.1 hours, is a single route, while the WesterwaldSteig is a long trail divided into stages. Check the latest distance and stage information before planning.
Stöffel Park is a former basalt quarry site in the Westerwald covering around 140 hectares, where industrial heritage, geological history and nature come together. The TERTIÄRUM displays fossils, including the famous “Stöffel Mouse”; they document around 25 million years of geological history. The Westerwald therefore offers geological history and nature as distinct themes alongside local and industrial history.
Another type of landscape can be found at Holzbach Gorge in the Westerwald: a breakthrough valley about one kilometre long, with basalt walls up to 30 metres high. Unlike the floodplain meadows and woodland of the Masselbach Valley, the landscape here is defined by the valley and its basalt walls.
The historic centre of Hachenburg in the Westerwald is characterised by restored half-timbered houses around the Alter Markt; the Lion Fountain is also part of its historic atmosphere. This is a different cultural highlight from industrial and geological history: here, half-timbered architecture and the historic townscape take centre stage. In Hachenburg, the Hachenburger Erlebnis-Brauerei offers beer experience tours and brewing courses; individual dates can be arranged by phone. If you plan to take part, check the brewery directly for current booking options.
Discover more destinations: LautzenbrĂĽcken, Hartenfels, Seck, Mudenbach, Niedererbach, Welschneudorf, Nordhofen, Nisterau.
Go to the overview of destinations: Westerwald.
