St. Boniface Church, the history of the glass industry and the GeoRoute give Wirges three different starting points for a stay. Sacred architecture, the town’s development and a circular hike through Wirges and the surrounding forests appeal to different interests. When planning, you can take into account the church’s visiting arrangements, the approximate duration of the walk and public transport connections.
Church and glassmaking history in Wirges
Since 1902, St. Boniface Church has been known locally as the Westerwald Cathedral. It is considered an impressive example of neo-Gothic sacred art. A neo-Gothic winged altarpiece, painted windows and extensive gold leaf define its interior. Visits are arranged through the local Catholic parish office; check the current arrangements there before your visit.
The town’s development can also be explored through the history of its glass industry. The GeoRoute Glasstadt Wirges (Glass City Wirges) presents this history through GeoStations of the Westerwald-Lahn-Taunus National Geopark. It also traces Wirges’s transformation from village to center of industrial culture. The route thus combines a cultural perspective on the town’s development with a specific hiking option.
Circular hike and getting there
The “Kleiner Wäller GeoRoute Glasstadt Wirges” circular hike is 8.0 kilometers long and takes about two hours. It passes through the town and surrounding forests, with views along the way towards Wirges and the Montabaurer Höhe. The Silbersee and Steimel Chapel are also on the route. The approximate duration can help with planning your day. Check for possible temporary detours before setting out.
For rail travel, Wirges is served by the HLB station on the Unterwesterwald line between Limburg and Siershahn. Bus routes 420 and 425 connect the town with regional centers, including Montabaur. As public transport services can change, check the latest timetables before travelling.
More topics in the wider Westerwald destination
The wider Westerwald destination offers other distinct cultural and nature experiences. In Hachenburg, the Hachenburger Erlebnis-Brauerei runs beer experience tours and brewing courses. Individual dates can be arranged by telephone; for current booking arrangements, it is best to contact the brewery directly.
Stöffel Park in the Westerwald is a former basalt quarry covering around 140 hectares, combining industrial culture, geological history and nature. The TERTIÄRUM displays fossils, including the famous “Stöffel mouse.” The fossils document around 25 million years of geological history. The park therefore offers a different perspective on regional history from Wirges’s glass industry.
The Westerwald’s long-distance hiking trails cover a broader scale than the local circular hike. The WesterwaldSteig runs for 235 kilometers through the region and has 16 stages. It is certified as a “Quality Trail Wanderable Germany” and is one of the “Top Trails of Germany.” Check route information and certification status again before making specific plans. The Druidensteig runs for 94 kilometers in seven daily stages through seven river valleys and features more than 30 geo-information points; its interpretive elements may be updated.
Discover more destinations: Kundert, Langenhahn, Rennerod, Stockum-PĂĽschen, Freilingen, Dehlingen, Ă–tzingen, Korb.
Back to the wider travel overview: Westerwald.
