Legends, myths and mining – hike Germany’s Druid Trail

days

3-5 h

/ day

57.7 mi

6,900 ft

6,375 ft

The Druid Trail in Germany’s Westerwald has been a designated ‘Wanderbares Deutschland’ quality trail for many years. In this Collection, you follow my personal version of the route which, at 92 kilometres (57 mi), is 9 kilometres (5.5 mi) longer than the original. On the way, you pass the Druid Stone after which the trail is named, and learn many interesting facts about Westerwald's history, its legends, myths, and mining industry.

The entire Druid Trail is waymarked with signs that are easy to recognise: a yellow logo on a black background on access routes and a white logo on the main trail. I’ve included information about any route deviations in the stage descriptions.

I’ve made sure the six stages of the Druid Trail are accessible by bus and train. This also lets you choose how many stages you hike as you always have a connection for your journey home. In addition, you can eat and stay overnight in the respective destinations. You can find more information in the stage descriptions.

The main highlight of the Druidensteig appears on the first stage – the Druidenstein (Druid’s stone). The other stages offer unforgettable views of Westerwald and plenty of historic sites too. I’ve also included small detours to idyllic lakes en route too. This let’s you hike in peace and quiet – the Druid Trail often shares its path with the Westerwaldsteig, its ‘big brother’, which is busier. The stage difficulties vary; longer days alternate with shorter ones. You’ll have plenty of time to explore the exciting places along the way.

On The Map

Do it yourself

Plan your own version of this adventure in the multi-day planner based on the stages suggested in this Collection.

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Tours & Highlights

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Etappe 1: Von Kirchen nach Herdorf – Unterwegs auf dem Druidensteig
05:13
11.3 mi
2.2 mph
1,525 ft
1,375 ft
Expert
Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The official start of the Druidensteig is in Freusburg, but there is no train station at the start of the stage. Fortunately, however, in the neighboring village of Kirchen and the organizers of the hiking trail have signposted an access route to the Druidensteig from the local train station. So you…
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Etappe 2: Von Herdorf nach Daaden – Unterwegs auf dem Druidensteig
03:05
6.67 mi
2.2 mph
950 ft
775 ft
Intermediate
Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
The second stage of the Druidensteig from Herdorf to Daaden is rather short at just under eleven kilometers. But this gives you time to arrive by train or, if you are staying in Herdorf or Betzdorf, to have an extensive breakfast. As the starting point for the stage, I have chosen the train station in…
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Etappe 3: Von Daaden nach Elkenroth – Unterwegs auf dem Druidensteig
04:18
9.68 mi
2.3 mph
1,000 ft
500 ft
Intermediate
Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
On the third stage of the Druidensteig from Daaden to Elkenroth you have almost 16 kilometers ahead of you, of which the first two go up crisply, but the second half of the route meanders gently down towards Elkenroth.

If you start at the train station, follow the feeder signs to the roundabout in Daaden…
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Etappe 4: Von Elkenroth nach Betzdorf – Unterwegs auf dem Druidensteig
04:17
9.52 mi
2.2 mph
675 ft
1,525 ft
Intermediate
Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The fourth stage of the Druidensteig from Elkenroth to Betzdorf is with just under 15.5 kilometers not the shortest section, but with only 210 meters the flattest. However, you can first hike a little uphill and plan a small detour in order to be able to enjoy the wide view of various Westerwald hills…
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Etappe 5: Von Betzdorf nach Gebhardshain – Unterwegs auf dem Druidensteig
03:37
7.67 mi
2.1 mph
1,400 ft
775 ft
Intermediate
Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
On the fifth stage of the Druidensteig, I deviate a little from the official route, as the actual destination of Steinebach does not have good local transport connections or accommodation for the night. I therefore recommend hiking the stage to Gebhardshain, where you can find nice places to stay or…
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Etappe 6: Von Gebhardshain nach Hachenburg – Unterwegs auf dem Druidensteig
05:50
12.9 mi
2.2 mph
1,350 ft
1,425 ft
Expert
Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The sixth and last day on the Druidensteig lies ahead of you and with it the longest stage with almost 20 kilometers. The first two kilometers of this are the way back to Steinebach / Sieg, so that you will come back to the signposted Druidensteig at the visitor mine Grube Bindweide. If you haven't visited…
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