recommended route
Bad Marienberg - Through the Bacher Lay nature reserve with Pfaffenmal - M4
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Basaltwand in der Bacher LayPhoto: Dominik Ketz, Touristinfo Bad Marienberg
The idyllic Bacher Lay, a dwarf folk and the Park of the Senses await you here.
Nature, water and basalt - this is how you could describe the M4 circular hiking trail. In the idyllic Bacher Lay you can still see the remains of former basalt mining. In the meantime, however, nature has reclaimed its space and shows itself with rare plants, colourful butterflies and lots of green. In winter, a few dead plants and trees left to their own devices create a morbid atmosphere that is only surpassed by the icy basalt wall.
The Pfaffenmal, a natural monument, can be reached via a short detour after leaving the Bacher Lay and climbing the first few metres towards Stockhausen-Illfurth. On a plaque you can read the legend of the dwarves at the Pfaffenmal, who once guarded gold and silver.
Back in Bad Marienberg, you can enjoy free wellness for your feet on the barefoot path in the Park of the Senses. In the adjacent apothecary garden you will find herbs whose effects and uses are explained on display boards.
Author’s recommendation
You should definitely make a photo stop at the impressive basalt wall in the Bacher Lay. Especially beautiful in winter with ice and snow.
Track types
Safety information
Especially in autumn, be aware that leaves lying on the ground can hide bumps, roots, stones or holes in the path.
Path impairments of this kind are to be expected on every hike.
Tips and hints
Tourist Information Bad Marienberg
Wilhelmstraße 10
56470 Bad Marienberg
Tel. 02661 7031
E-mail: touristinfo@badmarienberg.de
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
Follow the M4 marking up Wilhelmstraße and past the Protestant church. Turn right and follow the path to the Marienquelle spring. After 1 km you reach the Bacher Lay nature reserve, a former basalt quarry with an imposing basalt stone wall.
Then turn right at the first houses and take a detour to visit the Pfaffenmal natural monument 150 m away, an approx. 18 m high basalt dome with pillars in milestone position.
Return briefly, then take the M4 up to the heights past the Stockhausen-Illfurth cemetery, cross the L 295 and return downhill to Bad Marienberg.Finally, the trail leads through the Park of the Senses before ending at the tourist information office.
Note
Public transport
Nistertal/Bad Marienberg railway station, bus no. 483 or 962 to Bad Marienberg, Neuer Weg bus stop.
The bus only runs Monday-Friday!
Getting there
- From Cologne: A3 exit Hennef/Sieg via B8 and B414 to Bad Marienberg.
- From Frankfurt: A3 exit Limburg via B54 and B414 to Bad Marienberg
- From Dortmund: A45 exit Haiger/Burbach via B54 and B414 to Bad Marienberg
- From Giessen: A45 exit Herborn via B255 and B414 to Bad Marienberg
- From Koblenz: A48 and A3 exit Montabaur via B255 to Bad Marienberg
Parking
Free parking at the Tourist Info, Wilhelmstraße 10, 56470 Bad Marienberg
Coordinates
Author’s map recommendations
The map "Hiking trails in the Westerwald" of the regions Bad Marienberg, Rennerod and Westerburg is available for € 5.95 at the Tourist Info.
Scale 1:25,000
Equipment
Sturdy shoes are recommended, as well as appropriate clothing for the weather, which protects against cold and wet or heat and sun.
Also take enough liquid with you, there are no refreshment stops along the way.
Statistics
- 10 Waypoints
- 10 Waypoints
Questions and answers
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