Gackenbach: Hiking, Wildlife Park and History

If you would like to combine hiking with nature and cultural experiences on a trip to Gackenbach, there are several options: a certified Nordic walking park, the Wäller Tour Buchfinkenland, the Westerwald Wildlife Park and local church and mining history.

Explore the landscape on foot

Two different formats are at the heart of the route selection. The certified Nordic walking park covers more than 50 kilometres and has seven interconnected routes with varying levels of difficulty. Its entrance is behind the parish church. The Wäller Tour Buchfinkenland is a 14-kilometre circular route around Gackenbach, Hübingen and Horbach. Its length may vary slightly depending on the map or temporary detours. You can choose from several Nordic walking routes or a circular route through three villages.

The Wäller Tour passes through forest meadows and alongside streams and small rock formations. It lies in the Staatsforst Stelzenbach FFH area. From the heights, there are repeated views across the Westerwald landscape when visibility is good; these depend on the weather and time of year. Gackenbach is part of Buchfinkenland, which lies within Nassau Nature Park.

Westerwald Wildlife Park

The Westerwald Wildlife Park offers animal and nature experiences across 64 hectares. More than 300 animals live in woodland and meadow areas; the focus is on European species and endangered domestic breeds. Recreational facilities also include a playground and a summer toboggan run. The steep visitor paths are not accessible. Check current operating conditions before your visit.

Churches and local history

St. Bartholomew’s Parish Church in Gackenbach was built in the Neo-Gothic style between 1879 and 1884 and consecrated on 25 June 1884. The church has a Göckel organ and a Nelson organ, which can be coupled to form a symphonic organ ensemble. The Gackenbacher Orgelkonzerte association has held an annual concert series since 2009. Check concert dates and access arrangements before your visit.

In the lower village, a cast-iron cross marks the former site of the Dreifaltigkeitskapelle, built in 1706. The Junkerspfad is also part of local lore: according to legend, the locally known path is connected with Sarnburg and leads towards the church in Kirchähr.

Other traces of history relate to mining. The historic Buckerig smelter in the Hübinger Valley processed ore from the mine in Gackenbacher Goß. The Schiefer, a rocky refuge, is located within today’s wildlife park and served as a shelter during the war for residents of Gackenbach and Dies. The spoil heap of the former mine in Gackenbacher Goß is also still visible between two ponds in the wildlife park.

Getting there and finding your way

Gackenbach can be reached on bus route 8443 from Montabaur ICE railway station; Gackenbach and Hübingen are possible departure points for the return journey. Timetables can change, so check your connection again before travelling. There is a small car park for the Wäller Tour on Kirchstraße, in front of the parish church. Availability and any restrictions may change.

As another point of reference, the Zum Wiesengrund inn is 400 metres from the start and finish of the Wäller Tour. If you plan to include it in your trip, check its current availability directly.

Discover more destinations: Wirges, Welschneudorf, Nisterau, Hellenhahn-Schellenberg, Elbingen, Hartenfels, Hundsdorf, Eitelborn

For the main travel overview: Westerwald.