Neustadt (Wied): Experience hiking and culture

Neustadt (Wied) can be explored for a trip mainly through two themes: paths through forests and the Wied landscape, and cultural sites with different historical connections. The hiking trails themselves vary in form and length: the forest nature trail is two kilometres long, while the Bertenauer Weg is an 18-kilometre circular hike. Other attractions include the Berschau nature and recreation area, Bertenauer Kopf, and landmarks such as the Old Railway Embankment and Ehrenstein Castle ruins. This gives you a concrete basis for weighing up your interests in nature and culture when planning your stay.

Hiking between circular trails and stages

The forest nature trail runs above the local municipality of Neustadt (Wied) as a circular route. Over two kilometres, interactive information or play stations introduce visitors to topics relating to local forests. This makes it different in both design and length from the Bertenauer Weg: this trail is 18 kilometres long, is also a circular route, and starts in Neustadt (Wied). The two routes therefore offer different scales for planning your hikes—from a nature trail with forest stations to a longer hike.

The sixth stage of the Wiedweg follows a different type of route. It starts in Neustadt an der Wied and follows the river through the central Wied valley. Unlike the Bertenauer Weg, this route focuses on a stage along the Wied: one trail is explicitly a circular route, while the other is a section of the Wiedweg. If you include these routes in your plans, check the latest information on trail conditions and diversions, as both can change.

The Wied, forests and high points

The Berschau nature and recreation area lies on the banks of the Wied. It includes a biotope, hiking trails, playgrounds and barbecue huts. These different features set Berschau apart from a single trail: it brings together a natural area, paths and facilities in one place.

Neustadt (Wied) is part of the Rhine-Westerwald Nature Park. A prominent geographical landmark in the local municipality is Bertenauer Kopf: the volcanic hill is 351.50 metres above sea level and is the highest point in the local municipality. Several distinct landscape features therefore complement one another: Berschau lies on the banks of the Wied, Bertenauer Kopf marks the highest point, and the forest nature trail runs above the local municipality.

Cultural sites and traces of history

The Old Railway Embankment in Neustadt (Wied) comprises bridges, bridge ruins and a tunnel from the former Linz–Altenkirchen railway line. These structural remains connect the site to the former railway line. Other attractions in Neustadt (Wied) include Ehrenstein Monastery and Ehrenstein Chapel.

Individual buildings and finds also provide tangible historical connections. Ehrenstein Castle ruins at Kreuzbruderweg 1–2 were built in 1477; Rochus Chapel in Ehrenstein dates from 1761. St Mary's Catholic Parish Church in Neustadt (Wied) houses a Roman sacrificial stone from the 3rd century. These examples span the period from Roman antiquity to the 18th century and represent different kinds of cultural heritage: a find in the parish church, castle ruins, chapels and Ehrenstein Monastery.

In the wider destination of Neuwied

The wider destination of Neuwied offers further cultural attractions. The Roentgen Museum Neuwied has a collection of Roentgen furniture and Kinzing clocks that is unique worldwide. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Limes is also part of the wider destination of Neuwied, running through the city of Neuwied with watchtowers and forts. These attractions complement Neustadt (Wied)'s local trails, landscape features and cultural sites with distinctive insights into Neuwied.

Discover more destinations: Fernthal, Bad Hönningen, Dattenberg, Rheinbrohl, Döttesfeld, Roßbach, Bruchhausen, Wallau.

View the wider travel overview: Neuwied.