The Lahnwanderweg (Stage 4)

Stage 4 of the Lahnwanderweg runs from Biedenkopf to Buchenau, and we hiked it on September 25, 2021. Biedenkopf is a town with a long history. Its Schloss (castle) goes back to the late 12th century, and around 1231 it passed to Landgrave Konrad of Thuringia, who used it to secure the western border and had the town built at the foot of the castle hill. The town is also known for the Grenzgang, a festival of boundary walking held every seven years that began in 1839, with roots in boundary-walking customs recorded as far back as 1693.

And somehow we walked right past that castle without ever seeing it, so it's on the list for a return trip. It's a neat-looking place, and you can read more about it here: https://www.ich-geh-wandern.de/schloss-biedenkopf

Out of Biedenkopf

We started near Biedenkopf's train station, where the trail crosses the railway tracks before climbing out of town.

From there it is mostly Wald (forest) and meadow. We had company in the woods: a few Kühe (cows) resting in the shade.

Meadows and Valley Views

Then the trees opened up onto grassy hillsides, and the views stretched out over the valley.

Farther along, a flock of Schafe (sheep) was grazing in a Wiese (meadow) below the forested slopes.

Back to the Lahn

Near the end of the stage, the trail brings you back down to the Lahn near Buchenau, calm and lined with trees.

The trail details can be found here on AllTrails (about 7.7 miles with roughly 1,066 feet of climbing): https://www.alltrails.com/trail/germany/hesse/lahnwanderweg-etappe-4-biedenkopf-buchenau

Another stage down, with more to come.