Brief description
From the source at Dreifelder Weiher to the mouth at Neuwied, this route takes me through splendid nature and past numerous sights.
Description
I stand at Rotenhain station and first decide to visit the nearby Stöffel Park. In this quarry adventure park, the world's first mouse aged 25 million years was found. Afterwards, I head back and my next goal is the Wied source in Linden. I follow the signs to Dreifelder Weiher, the largest of the lakes in the Westerwald lake district, and enjoy the wonderful natural landscape of the Wied floodplain on the route. At Altenkirchen, I come across the roughly 100-year-old Bismarck tower, which can be visited on every first Sunday of the month. At Burglahr awaits the Alvensleben tunnel, where ore was mined until 1930; today it is accessible to visitors. The craft museum in Waldbreitbach, next to an oil mill, also piques my curiosity. I can visit it on Saturdays and Sundays and take a coffee break in the cozy rooms. The further path leads me directly to Neuwied, where the Wied flows into the Rhine.
New from April 1, 2024: RadBus Wiedtal, route Neuwied-Roßbach/Wied-Neuwied. Here is the timetable. All RadBuses can be booked up to 2 hours before departure HERE,
and interested persons can also purchase their ticket from the bus drivers.
Approach
To Rotenhain: via B255 to exit Langenhahn, continue on K8 to Rotenhain or B8 to exit Freilingen, then continue on L304 and K61 to Rotenhain
To Neuwied: via A48 to exit 11-Bendorf/Neuwied. Continue on B42 towards Neuwied
Public transport
- Hessische Landesbahn (Limburg - Diez-Ost - Westerburg - Altenkirchen - Au/Sieg): Rotenhain, Ingelbach, and Altenkirchen
- Right Rhine line (Cologne - Neuwied - Koblenz - Rüdesheim - Wiesbaden - Frankfurt): Neuwied
For the return journey from Neuwied to Rotenhain by train, the following options exist:
- RB Neuwied – Koblenz, RB Koblenz – Limburg, RB Limburg – Rotenhain (2 changes, total approx. 2:45 h)
- Bus Neuwied – Altenkirchen, RB Altenkirchen – Rotenhain (1 change, total approx. 2:30 h)
- RE Neuwied – Troisdorf, RE Troisdorf – Au/Sieg, RB Au/Sieg – Nistertal – Bad Marienberg, from here approx. 4 km to the Wied source (2 changes, total approx. 2:45 h)
- Neuwied – Niederlahnstein, Niederlahnstein – Limburg (Lahn), Limburg (Lahn) – Rotenhain (2 changes, total approx. 2:56 h)
Parking
- Parking lot at Kurtrierer Straße 22 or 23, 56567 Neuwied (no fees)
- Parking under the Rhine bridge (covered, no fees)
- Parking lot next to the tax office at the station, DB parking, Augustastraße 54, 56564 Neuwied
- Parking Kirmeswiese Neuwied, Gustav-Stresemann-Str. 56564
Directions
The route is about 97 kilometers long. Starting from Rotenhain station, it climbs towards Linden and then gently descends to the pond. I keep to its northeast side and proceed towards Steinebach on the Wied. The route winds in gentle curves northwest to Ingelbach. Now I make a large northern and western bend to Widderstein, turn sharply right to the west, and shortly reach Michelbach and then Altenkirchen. Continuing southwest, the path tends to go downhill. Between Altenkirchen and Neustadt there is a small rise, and other hills are present. Shortly after Niederbreitbach, the route climbs steeply for about 150 meters and then descends equally steeply. Otherwise, the route mostly leads me through the quiet Wied valley, partly on old railway tracks and occasionally on roads. Where modern markings are missing, I orient myself by old signposts that guide me just as reliably.
Safety instructions
Very good fitness required. The route can be comfortably ridden in two days.
Equipment
For bags and backpacks on a bike ride, not only the back offers space – the equipment weight should ideally be distributed over several parts of the body and bike. Wind, rain, or sun can cause very different temperature sensations while cycling – a cold can be best avoided with professional cycling clothing. On a multi-day route, you should always have appropriate change clothes at hand to be prepared for any eventuality. Besides other important equipment, necessary tools and repair utensils should not be forgotten. At high speeds, you can quickly take a wrong turn on a bike ride: orientation is provided by traditional and modern aids like a bike map or a GPS device. Always carry a small emergency kit as well.
Tips
In summer, swimwear is a must, for example for swimming at Dreifelder Weiher. The beach café in Niederbuchenau (Roßbach) is also especially lovely.
Literature
Combined flyer cycling/hiking, available free of charge here!