Vogtei Loop Hiking Trail

From the sports field on the outskirts of Welterod, the trail follows the edge of the forest, then briefly winds between fields before entering the woods. You are now on the historic route of the “Kohlstraße,” which was used, among other things, to transport charcoal.

The Vogtei Circular Hiking Trail leaves the wider forest road and turns right onto a path leading to the Ziegenkopf. This peak offers a view of Welterod (there’s a seating area at the edge of the forest), but as the region’s highest mountain, it hardly stands out! Keep to the right, staying along the edge of the forest until you reach the Eisheck shelter (a place to rest with a panoramic view).

Now, on the left side of the trail, you’ll pass the elongated Wacholderheide Nature Reserve. Along the way, be sure to follow the sign pointing to burial mounds, which lie about 200 meters off to the right. Several mounds are visible in the forest, and one of the Celtic graves has been partially excavated.

Continue along the newly upgraded forest path to its end, where you’ll rejoin the old Kohlstraße. From the viewpoint overlooking Hesse, turn left; at the next fork, turn left again toward the Mühlbach Valley. The trail descends toward Strüth, where you’ll soon see the church tower and the outbuildings of the former Schönau Monastery on your right.

At the first houses in Strüth, turn right onto the L336 and take a detour into the old monastery grounds. This is where Saint Elizabeth of Schönau, a mystic and pen pal of Hildegard of Bingen, once lived.

From the monastery gate, turn right and then immediately left onto Brühl-Weiher-Str. Take the first right onto “Im Mühlstück” and continue straight ahead into the fields. Follow the dirt paths around the summit of the Eichelberg, then walk down through the forest into a small valley toward the Mühlbach. Cross the L335, turn left at the next forest path intersection, and follow the signs on a gentle ascent toward Feuerkopf.

From the edge of the forest and through the fields, you’ll reach the L333 near the Waldeck farm; pass it on your right and descend through meadows and fields into the Werkerbach Valley. Passing several beautifully situated fish ponds, cross the K98 to the left and then immediately turn right, heading uphill through the woods; at the end of the path, turn right again and head back downhill.

You don’t necessarily have to follow the signs to a Celtic “fort” and the “Old Castle,” as there’s hardly anything to see there.

Once you emerge from the woods, you’ll be treated to another stunning panoramic view: From a bench surrounded by three small trees, you can enjoy the view of the abandoned site of the former Rödel farmstead with its barely recognizable ruins. The lights from the sports field at the edge of the woods mark the end of the long “home stretch.”