Weserbergland Trail
Porta Westfalica - Hann. Münden (224km)
Quality long-distance hiking trail in the low mountain range. Would you like to learn more about the Weserbergland Trail?
Waymarking of the Weserbergland Trail
The Weserbergland Trail
From here, we leave the North German Lowland and enter the German Central Uplands. On its way through Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Hesse, the Weser River has created a picturesque landscape: the Weser Uplands. This mountain range is characterized by wooded ridges, beautiful mountain slopes, and wide valleys intersected by the river.
The journey on the NST starts quite unspectacularly at a hiking parking lot in Porta-Westfalica. However, with the first ascent to the Porta Kanzel, it becomes quieter and more peaceful again. From the Porta Kanzel, you have a breathtaking view of the Weser River and the Kaiser Wilhelm Monument on the opposite bank
The Weserbergland Trail reaches several interesting former quarries through lonely forest paths. The hiking trail passes through the nature reserve “Kamm des Wesergebirges” before crossing the A2 motorway on a narrow bridge. After a few kilometers on beautiful trails, we reach an ancient hill fort, a lovely spot for camping. Below the fort lies the town of Rinteln with a beautiful historic old town. Here, there are plenty of shopping opportunities and a campsite.
Continuing on the beautiful ridge of the Wesergebirge, we reach the Luhdener Klippenturm. From the Luhdener Cliffs, one has a magnificent view over the Wesergebirge. In addition to the great view from the platform, there is also a small restaurant at the tower. After a while, we come to the next highlight, the Paschenburg. Built in 1842, it is a representative forest house nestled in the woods. Today, it houses a guesthouse, and its terrace offers a fantastic view of the landscape and the Schaumburg Castle below.
Next is the beautiful Höllenbachtal until we reach the Baxmannbaude. This hiking hut is open and serving on weekends during the season, making it an ideal spot for a cozy break.
Shortly after, on the Weserbergland Trail, you will encounter the Hohenstein Cliffs, a truly fabulous viewpoint with the best views and one of the top highlights on the NST. Unique panoramic views also await you from the nearby Teufelskanzel (Devil’s Pulpit). Continuing southwards, you will reach the “hohe Egge” (high ridge), where the Süntelturm (Süntel Tower) with an attached inn awaits. However, near the Süntelturm, there is a true gem, the “Yellow Place,” a perfect camping spot with a brilliant view, beautifully hidden and peacefully located. After the “Schweineberg” (Pig Mountain), the trail leads you through open forest and meadow paths to Rohrsen near Hameln. If you still feel like it, you can admire the well-preserved half-timbered houses in Hameln’s beautiful old town or go on a quest to find the famous Pied Piper.
Ascent 2093 Meter
Descent 2065 Meter
An uncomfortable monument
After Rohrsen, a district of Hameln, the trail leads along the Schecken ridge, covering vast, open forest and meadow paths. Crossing the Hellberg ridge, the XW leads through Hastenbeck and Völkershausen to Hagenohsen. This stretch is very pleasant and offers fantastic panoramic views over extensive hills.
In Emmerthal, we reach the Bückeberg. A “cultural-historical hiking trail” like the NST not only showcases the country’s beautiful history but also its dark sides. From 1933 to 1937, the “Reichserntedankfeste” (Reich Harvest Thanksgiving Festivals) took place annually at the Bückeberg in Emmerthal near Hameln, and they were among the largest mass events of National Socialism. At this historical site, since November 2021, a permanent exhibition has been presented, distributed across the area, showing how these mass events of Nazi propaganda were used to stage media-worthy images of a “Volksgemeinschaft” (national community), advance the division of society, and prepare Germans for war.
For us NST thru-hikers, this is a place to pause and reflect. It reminds us that history is not always composed of positive aspects but also contains dark chapters that need to be understood and contemplated.
In Emmerthal, there are plenty of opportunities for shopping or running errands. Here, the Emmer River also flows into the Weser. Along the edge of the forest, the Weserbergland-Weg leads, and on nature trails, we reach the Hämelschenburg Water Castle. The excellently preserved and well-maintained castle complex is an outstanding example of Weser Renaissance architecture. Since 1437, the well-preserved estate has been privately owned and is still sustainably managed today.
Münchhausen town
Now it’s time to ascend to the Ottensteiner Hochebene (Ottenstein High Plateau). This nearly treeless and hilly highland rises 200 meters above the surrounding landscape. Along your hike, you’ll have fantastic views of the extensive meadows and fields of the plateau, but unfortunately, you’ll also have a view of the Grohnde nuclear power plant.
After crossing the Weser River again in Hehlen, the Weserbergland-Weg leads you along old towpaths directly alongside the river to the Bismarckturm (Bismarck Tower). This impressive stone tower has an observation platform that guarantees you a spectacular view of the Weser Valley. The trail then descends to the Münchhausenstadt Bodenwerder, known as the town of Baron Münchhausen.
Bodo tower and Ebersnacken
In the town that became world-famous through Baron Münchhausen and is located directly on the Weser River, there are plenty of shopping opportunities and two beautiful campsites. From here, a steep path leads up to the Königszinne viewpoint. The trail continues over the Vogler ridge, along lonely forest and nature paths, until you reach the Bodoturm tower, and finally the Ebersnacken hill. At the top of the mountain, you can climb an observation tower that offers a unique view of the valleys and hill chains of the Weserbergland.
Heading south, you continue towards Holenberg, passing through a dreamlike landscape. At the Cistercian monastery Amelungsborn, with its eventful history and a monastery garden known for its old medicinal herbs, there is also a well with drinking water. From here, it is not far to the half-timbered town of Stadtoldendorf, which offers many shopping opportunities.
From Stadtoldendorf, you’ll have to climb the Holzberg (Wood Mountain). Above its steep slopes, you’ll have a fantastic view of the picturesque hilly landscape. Along the edge of the forest, past grain fields, and vast meadows, the trail leads over Merxhausen to Hellental. Then, along a comfortable hiking path, you walk through a picturesque valley along the Helle River.
Ascent 2532 Meter
Descent 2157 Meter
Sleeping Beauty Castle Sababurg
After Silberborn, the NST leads you through the Mecklenbruch high moor, a unique feature in the Solling, a region in the Weserbergland. In the past, peat was extracted from the moor, but since 1981, it has been undergoing renaturation efforts. The Mecklenbruch high moor, covering 63 hectares, is the largest in the Solling and is accessible to hikers via a wooden boardwalk.
Passing by the village of Neuhaus im Solling and its wildlife park, the trail follows along the Ahletal, passing the source of the Ahle River and through colorful wildflower meadows. From the town of Schönhagen, you walk through a large wood pasture with very old trees. Starting from the viewpoint “Lug ins Land,” the NST then runs with many beautiful views above the Weser River. Descending from the Sohnreyhöhe, the trail leads to the Baroque town of Bad Karlshafen. Here, there is a lot to discover, including the venerable town hall and the historic harbor basin. Camping sites and a variety of shopping options are also available. This is also where the state border between Lower Saxony and Hesse is located. Congratulations, you have hiked through another federal state.
Continuing along a wooded ridge, the trail leads on beautiful paths. Near the village of Gieselwerder, the route passes through the St. Georgengrund, which can be challenging to traverse depending on the weather. This section is an absolute highlight of this part of the trail. After this stunning stretch, we reach the village of Gottsbüren.
Von hier verläuft der Weg leider auf sehr geraden und breiten Forst- und Schotterwegen zur Sababurg. Die Gebrüder Grimm, die ihre Märchen in ganz Nordhessen gesammelt haben, wurden von diesem Schloss zum Märchen von Dornröschen inspiriert. Das Dornröschenschloss Sababurg mit seinem Tierpark, aber vor allem der 92 ha umfassenden Urwald, sollte man unbedingt einmal erkunden.
After the Sababurg, we follow a path through a valley along a river course. After some time, we reach the Weser River again, and from here, the trail leads into the Reinhardswald, a 200 km² large forest area in North Hesse and one of the least populated areas in Germany. At the stone observation tower called Tilly-Schanze, the NST separates from the Weserberglandweg. We highly recommend taking the descent into the Three Rivers City of Hann. Münden.
Hann. Münden is known for its impressive half-timbered buildings and charming narrow alleys. At the “Weserstein,” not only is the trailhead of the Weserberglandweg, but it is also the point where the Werra and Fulda rivers converge to form the Weser River.
