The Druidensteig – Germany’s most beautiful walking route 2026

Start: Freusburg
Finish: Kirchen-Katzenbach
Route: Etappe 1 + 6 km der Etappe 2
Distance: ca. 16,5 km

As you set off on the 5-day hike along the Druidensteig, you can look forward to breathtaking views, fascinating traces of mining history and special moments along the trail in the Siegtal valley. From Freusburg, perched high above the Siegtal valley, the route first leads to Kirchen, where you can enjoy the view from the Alexanderhöhe. The route then continues past the Freusburger Mühle and along scenic paths to Katzenbach, where the XXL bench ‘Druidenrast’ invites you to take a special break whilst taking in the surrounding views.

Overnight stay:
Hotel zum Weißen Stein

Start: Kirchen-Katzenbach
Finish: Daaden
Route: 11 km der Etappe 2 + Etappe 3
Distance: ca. 24 km

This stage of the Druidensteig takes you to some of the trail’s best-known highlights. From Katzenbach, the route leads to the GeoBlick viewpoint at the Ottoturm, with its impressive views across the Sieg Valley and the Westerwald. Via the historic Way of the Cross, you’ll reach the legendary Druidenstein – the national geotope that gives the Druidensteig its name. Afterwards, in Sassenroth and on the onward route to Daaden, you’ll encounter numerous traces of the region’s mining history, which continue to shape the character of this area to this day.

Overnight stay:
Hotel Gasthof Koch

Start: Daaden
Finish: Betzdorf
Route: Etappe 4 + Etappe 5
Distance: ca. 27 km

The longest stage of the 5-day hike along the Druidensteig takes you right into the heart of the Westerwald’s geological and cultural diversity. Passing Elkenrother Weiher, crossing the trail’s highest plateau and travelling through former basalt and mining regions, you’ll experience the unique blend of nature, history and fascinating geological sites all the way to Betzdorf.

Overnight stay:
Hotel Breidenbacher Hof

Start: Betzdorf
Finish: Kloster Marienstatt
Route: Etappe 6 + 10 km der Etappe 7
Distance: ca. 20 km

On this stage, the Duidensteig takes you over scenic heights through the varied landscape of the northern Westerwald. Passing traces of historic basalt and ore mining, you’ll reach Steinebach an der Sieg, home to a special highlight: the Bindweide mine, where the region’s mining history comes to life. From there, the route climbs up to the Barbara Tower, offering impressive views into the distance, and continues through the Westerwald countryside to Kloster Marienstatt.

Overnight stay: Kloster Marienstatt

Start: Kloster Marienstatt
Finish: Hachenburg
Route: ca. 6,5 km der Etappe 7
Disntance: ca. 6,5 km

From Kloster Marienstatt and through the Kleine Holzbach Gorge, the route leads to the historic ‘Lion Town’ of Hachenburg, where the multi-day tour comes to an end after five eventful days of walking.

From here, you can easily take the train back to the starting point in Freusburg or extend your stay with an extra night’s accommodation in Hachenburg.

Accommodation options in Hachenburg:

Hotel zur Krone

Hotel Friedrich

Parkhotel

Boutique Hotel

Hotel Hormann

Start: Betzdorf
Finish: Gebhardshain
Route: Etappe 6 + 2,5 km Route from Steinebach/Sieg to Gebhardshain
Distance: ca. 12 km

On this stage, the Duidensteig takes you through the varied landscape of the northern Westerwald, taking in panoramic views from the heights. Passing traces of historic basalt and ore mining, you’ll reach Steinebach an der Sieg, home to a special highlight: the Bindweide mine, where the region’s mining history comes to life.

Overnight stay:
Hotel Westerwälder Hof

Start: Gebhardshain
Finish: Hachenburg
Route: 2,5 km Route from Gebhardshain to Steinebach/Sieg + Etappe 7
Distance: ca. 19 km

The final stage of the Druidensteig once again takes in some of the hike’s most special highlights: from the Grube Bindweide visitor mine, the route climbs up to the Barbaraturm, which offers impressive views into the distance, and continues through the Westerwald countryside. Passing Marienstatt Abbey and through the Kleine Holzbach Gorge, the route finally leads to the historic ‘Löwenstadt’ (Lion Town) of Hachenburg, where the multi-day tour ends after five eventful days of walking.

From here, you can easily take the train back to the starting point in Freusburg or extend your stay with an extra night’s accommodation in Hachenburg.

Accommodation options in Hachenburg:

Hotel zur Krone

Hotel Friedrich

Parkhotel

Boutique Hotel

Hotel Hormann