13 days on the Weserberglandweg

Your hike along the Weser begins at its source, in the "Three Rivers City" Hann. Munden. On the famous Weserstein, where Werra and Fulda unite to form the Weser, is the starting point.After you have enjoyed the view of the half-timbered houses from the stone lookout tower Tilly-Schanze, your hike leads you into the Reinhardswald. This forest is one of the largest complete forest areas of Germany and is sparsely populated.Through the dense forest and over hilly fields, it goes today for you to the stage destination Veckerhagen, a district of Reinhardshagen.

On the second day your hike begins in the sleepy town of Veckerhagen. If you feel like it, you can stroll through the streets for a while before heading out for a hike.The hiking trail leads you today on the border of the Reinhardswald over extensive meadows and fields. The trail runs slightly above the Weser, so there are always nice views.After half the distance you leave the Weser Valley and enter the Olbetal with its primeval forest and the lush ferns. Here the path runs through the shady valley and along the babbling river.Today's stage destination is the Sababurg. The Brothers Grimm, who have collected their fairy tales throughout northern Hesse, have been inspired by this castle to the "fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty". The small former hunting lodge with its distinctive towers now houses, among other things, a restaurant and a hotel.If you still have enough energy, you should definitely visit the jungle Sababurg. There are incredibly old beech and oak trees.

On the third day you leave the Sababurg behind you and wander across wide fields to Gottsbüren. You always have the hills and mountain ranges of the Weserbergland in view.In Gottsbüren you can stop for a rest at the inn, as there are no more places to rest on today's stage. After your visit to the small town and its pilgrimage church, it goes through the St. Georgengrund in the direction of the Weser valley. Over a wooded hill chain you reach today's destination, the baroque town of Bad Karlshafen.Here you can stroll around the former harbor basin and admire the unique architecture of the houses before you rest in your accommodation for the next day.As there is a railway station in Bad Karlshafen, the city is also suitable as a destination for a short hike on the Weserberglandweg.

After your start, it goes over the Weser up to the Sonreyhöhe. From there you have a great view of the Weser valley and Bad Karlshafen.The hiking trail runs here promising above the Weser. From the vantage point Lug into the country, the trail separates from the Weser valley and runs through a large Hutewald with old trees. The past pastures in the Hutewald are today maintained by Heck cattle and Exmoorponys.The small town Schönhagen is your destination today. The Gasthaus zur Harburg offers accommodation here in an impressive half-timbered building.Prepare enough provisions for today's stage as there is no rest stop on your way.

On today's stage you can expect the nature reserve Ahlewiesen and the beautiful zoo Neuhaus. Especially the naturally created zoo is worth a visit. Here European forest dwellers in extensive enclosures on meadows and under old trees.After the zoo it goes up to Moosberg. On the way you can still stop at Hochsollingturm insert. The view of the green mountains is sensational.Your stage destination Silberborn lies peacefully between the hills and is surrounded by wide meadows. Here you will find various cozy accommodations where you can strengthen yourself again.

On the sixth day exciting landscapes and great views await you. Shortly after your start in Silberborn the trail leads you through the Hochmoor Mecklenbruch. The raised bog is a unique phenomenon for the Solling, a part of the Weserbergland. In the past, peat was used extensively in the moor, but since 1981 it has been renatured. Today you can again admire many different animal and plant species.A comfortable hiking trail takes you along the river Helle down to the village of Hellental. In the local inn you can fortify yourself with a delicious meal before you climb the wooden mountain. Above its steep slopes, you have a great view of the picturesque hilly landscape.Then it goes down to Stadtoldendorf.If you only want to make a section of the Weserberglandweg, Stadtoldendorf is a perfect destination for your hike as there is a train station here.

On your seventh stage you can visit the Cistercian Monastery Amelungsborn before continuing on the ridge of a long range of hills to the final destination.The highest point on your stage today is the Ebersnacken. On top of the mountain you can climb the observation tower, from the top of which you can enjoy a great panoramic view.From Ebersnacken it goes over the wooded ridge to Bodenwerder, which is also known as the Baron-Munchhausen city. If you feel like it, you can walk through the streets of the old town after your arrival.For today's stage, it is advisable for you to carry your provisions in your backpack, because there are no inns along the way.

In Bodenwerder you cross the Weser and wander up a hill to the Bismarckturm. The impressive stone tower has a viewing platform, which guarantees a spectacular view of the Weser valley.You follow the Weserberglandweg via a wooded ridge before descending to the shore shortly before Hehlen. Already from the shore you have a nice view of the small castle Hehlen.After you have crossed the Weser in Hehlen again, it goes up to the Ottensteiner plateau. The almost unbewaldete and hilly plateau rises almost 200 meters above the surrounding landscape. In many places on your hike you have great views over the vast meadows and fields of the plain, before you reach your destination Lüntorf.

On rural dirt roads you walk along the edge of the forest to today's stage highlight, the Wasserschloss Hämelschenburg. The excellently preserved and well-kept palace complex is a striking example of the Weser Renaissance. Especially the main building impresses with its fine decorations and exciting shapes. The castle is privately owned and in a large part of the building is a publicly accessible museum. Here you can admire the rooms with original equipment.After a break in the Schlosscafé, you will continue on dirt roads to the stage destination Emmerthal. On your way the idyllic hilly landscape is disturbed only by the towering cooling towers of the nuclear power plant Grohnde.There is also a train station in Emmerthal, so you can start or end your personal hike on the Weserberglandweg here.

The tenth stage awaits you with a leisurely but long hike over vast hills. The path is mainly over meadows and fields, so a great vision is guaranteed.Your stage destination is today in Rohrsen, a district of Hameln. Since there are no accommodations to be found, you can take the bus from there to the old town. There you still have the chance to admire the well-preserved half-timbered houses. If you still have enough energy, you can go in search of the famous Pied Piper.On today's hike, you'll find restaurants in Voremberg and Hastenbeck where you can fortify yourself with a warm meal.Hamelin also has a train station. If you only want to pick individual sections for your hike, you can easily start or finish in Hameln.

On the eleventh stage, you will overcome most of the altitude of the entire tour and cover the largest distance. Plan your breaks, then the stage is no problem for you.The highest point of today's hike is the Hohe Egge. You can even extend the firm climb upwards when you step onto the stone Süntelturm. From the medieval lookout tower offers you an excellent panorama. As it turns out, this is not the last great view. Also at the Teufelskanzel and the Hohenstein you can expect unique views. At the Hohenstein you will also be impressed by the unique cliff formations.The last section of today's hike leads you through the beautiful Höllenbachtal to the stage destination Rohdental.

On the penultimate hike you follow a scenic ridge path to Paschenburg. The former, large-scale forester's lodge now houses an inn. From the terrace you have a great view of the countryside and the underlying Schaumburg.Shortly before your destination, the Weserberglandweg leads up to the Luhden cliffs. There is another old lookout tower up there. In addition to the great view from the platform lures the tower with a small restaurant.Then it goes down to Rinteln. In Rinteln worth a visit to the beautifully preserved old town, which is still located two kilometers from the hiking trail.

The last leg definitely takes you back to civilization. The trail runs almost the entire route through the nature reserve Kamm of the Weser Mountains. Below the ridge, you can already see larger cities and after just under three kilometers, you cross the A2 motorway on a narrow bridge.However, after 12 days in nature, you will not be disturbed by the roar of the cars and continue on your way. The last vantage point of your hike is just before your destination: from the Portakanzel you have a spectacular panoramic view of the Weser and the Kaiser Wilhelm monument on the other side.On your last steps to the train station of Porta Westfalica, you will slowly come back to city life. After more than 230 kilometers through the Weserbergland, you drive home with memories of one of the most beautiful low mountain ranges in Germany.