Hiking report Hiwweltour Westerberg: Meadows, wine and castle Westerhaus

Wild meadows and colorful flowers

We start our hike on the Hiwweltour Westerberg at the parking lot of the sports field in Großwinternheim. Already after the first meters on the access road to the Hiwweltour we discover the beautiful castle Westerhaus, which is enthroned on the Westerberg opposite us. Later, we will stand right up there, but first we will hike the first part of the 11.3-kilometer Hiwweltour along the Selz, which ripples peacefully and quietly next to us. The small stream is a tributary of the great Rhine, into which it flows not far from here.

After a short time we reach the nature reserve Gartenwiese and it quickly becomes clear: the name says it all! Wide, wild meadows with beautiful flowers in all colors. Even the blooming thistles are a feast for the eyes. I am particularly impressed that you can not only see this splendor, but also hear it. The "garden meadow" is full of life, which makes itself felt in buzzing, humming, chirping and chirping. What a concert!

Just behind the nature reserve, a path leads to Schwabenheim an der Selz. However, we decide to stay on the Hiwweltour and pay a visit to the small village with its historic marketplace after our hike. Fortunately, the wine villages in Rheinhessen are all close together, so you can plan excursions quickly and flexibly.

The Hiwweltour leads us on natural paths past Schwabenheim. It is really wonderful that we almost never have to walk on tarred paths, but always have earth, mulch or grass under our feet. This not only makes walking a lot easier, it also makes you feel really connected to nature.

Up to the Westerberg

Before the trail leads us into the vineyards, we pass small garden plots with fruit and vegetables and we cross the Selz river on a small wooden bridge. Slowly but surely we leave the valley behind us. The first vines line the route and the first meters of altitude make themselves felt in our legs. Phew, now it's getting serious!

In fact, we complete the climb up the Westerberg in one piece, around 165 meters in altitude after all. How good that after about halfway, shortly after the junction of the Bubenheimer Zuweg, the Walther-Zoth-Hütte offers space for a short breather.

The fantastic views, which already announce themselves on the last meters of the ascent, quickly make the effort forgotten. Over the endless sea of vines we look back into the Selz valley, over the nature reserve and to the surrounding villages. Yes, the climb was definitely worth it! And after all, it would not be a Hiwwelt tour without Hiwwel (Rhinehessian for hill), isn't it?

Through wine and forest

The next signpost tells us that we still have three kilometers to go to Westerhaus Castle. Well, that's more than doable, especially since we'll be hiking at ground level and comfortably on the Westerberg from now on. The path leads past countless vines but also large arable fields. We have the opportunity to inspect the not quite ripe grapes from close up and enjoy the great view again and again.

Next, the Hiwweltour leads us into the shady Winternheimer Wäldchen, which is something very special in the sparsely wooded region around Großwinterheim. Here the air is much cooler, but also much fresher. Breathing deeply does you good and the wild currants along the way taste delicious.

A visit to Westerhaus Castle

We leave trees and berries behind us. Two grazing horses announce that Schloss Westerhaus is now not far away. The castle, which has been owned by the von Opel family since 1900, is not only an award-winning winery, but also a stud farm for racehorses, which has enjoyed outstanding breeding success for decades.

We walk along the paddocks and stables and finally reach the castle itself, which we already discovered at the very beginning of our Hiwwelt tour. From up here it looks even more spacious and impressive. When the large wooden gate of the castle is open, the vinotheque is open. We taste a wonderful dry Riesling from 2016, estate wine and "calling card" of the house. Just a moment ago we were walking past the vines of the winery, now we are tasting the finished product - a nice feeling!

Hollow ways near Ingelheim

We continue our hike exhilarated. This may be due to the wine, but also to the fact that it's all downhill from now on. Or because another highlight awaits us: the rare historic sunken paths near Ingelheim.

Hollow roads are deeply rutted paths created by centuries of use with livestock and agricultural implements, as well as by rainwater runoff. Due to its hillside location, Schloss Westerhaus used to be difficult to reach and difficult to farm. Fully loaded horse and ox carts left their traces in the loamy loess soil of the Westerberg, which are still visible here today.

The hollow paths are actually quite deep. Some of the trees along the way grow in such a way that their canopies cast a natural canopy over the trail, and you really have the feeling that you're walking through a huge, natural maze.

The trail closes

Back in the valley, we hike the last kilometers again quite relaxed along the quietly rippling Selz. Numerous paddocks lie along the way and from down here we can take a last look at Westerhaus Castle high up in the vineyard. Großwinterheim lies ahead of us and thus the starting and end point of the Hiwweltour Westerberg.

We saw and experienced a lot: secluded riverside hedgerows on the Selz, the lively nature reserve Gartenwiese, vines as far as the eye can see and even a small piece of forest. Westerberg Castle was undisputedly the highlight of the day, and not just because of the good wine! The historic sunken paths near Ingelheim rounded off the exciting and varied hike, which gave us really nice active hours in Rheinhessen.