Photo trail Wetzlar

We start at the Leitz Park in Wetzlar. At the information board of the Wetzlar 3-Türme-Trages we keep to the right on the footpath. After a good 300 metres we come to an asphalted path and after another 300 metres we change to the path on the right of the road. When you reach the edge of the forest, keep to the left and continue along the edge of the forest, following several footpath markings. At the end of the path, keep to the right towards the cemetery and continue to follow the trail markings. We reach the cemetery via a meadow path, turn right at the cemetery fence and keep left along the corner of the cemetery. Here the Garbenheimer Warte comes into view and we have impressive views into the Lahn valley. Even the Dünsberg and Gleiberg Castle are visible in good weather.

Unfortunately, the tower of the Garbenheimer Warte (also known as the Bismarck Tower) may not be climbed at present. But even from the comfortable resting places below the tower you have a beautiful distant view.

Before the Garbenheimer Warte, continue to the right. Walk downhill along the edge of the forest, follow the signpost to the left and continue straight ahead along a meadow path towards the first houses of Wetzlar. In front of the houses, we walk down the hill to the right and turn left into the next street. Shortly afterwards, keep right onto the Lahnbergweg. The path bends to the left at a bench and we follow it. At the station of the Goetheweg   "Am Hauserberg" we turn left into the street "auf dem Hauserberg".  At the end of the street we keep right along the street "Am Deutschherrenberg". Behind a transformer station with the same name, we turn left into a narrow lane and walk down the steps.

Then we come to a street again and follow it down. At the Goethebrunnen we keep to the right, cross a zebra crossing and go up the stairs on the opposite side.  We now walk a short distance along Wöllbachertorstra&szlig before we turn right behind the bus stop towards Freilichtbühne Rosengärtchen. We cross the park and keep going down a flight of stairs. This leads to the open-air rose garden and there we keep to the left. Go through an iron gate, down some more steps and then across the paved road to the right to the Colchesteranlage. Cross the bridge at the hausermill, keep to the right and "circle" the car park with beautiful views of the Lahn.

In Colchesteranlage there are some nice places to rest by the river as well as some attractions such as the labyrinth place or a playground. The path now leads us under the beautiful old Lahn bridge and over a small bridge to the left. Here you will find the Lahninsel on the right-hand side with a large car park, free toilet and a cosy beer garden.

We stroll across the bridge and then turn left into Erbsengasse. Shortly afterwards, we turn right into the pedestrian zone and come to the Eisenmarkt. There we keep to the left and via Krämerstraße and Schwarzadlergasse we reach Domplatz. Here we admire the imposing Wetzlar Cathedral. For further inspiration, we also find the Tourist Info on Domplatz. At the fountain in front of the Hauptwache, we turn right and a little later left into Schmiedgasse. In Schmiedgasse, we take the second turn to the right and come to Kornmarkt. Walk up this to the left, reach Arnsburger Gasse and cross Pariser Gasse.  Take the stairs next to the Hotel Bürgerhof and we ll reach Brunnengäßchen.

At the pedestrian crossing we cross the Konrad-Adenauer-Promenade and turn right in the park onto the Siena Promenade. Through the well-maintained park, we then keep left and right again until we reach the end of the park. There we turn left at the town hall into Frankfurter Strasse, cross the zebra crossing and turn right into Friedenstrasse. Follow this straight ahead, cross the traffic lights into Bergstra&szlig and continue along Friedenstra&szlig in the direction of Kirschenwäldchen. On the left is the old cemetery, which also offers beautiful photo motifs with its cascades.

We continue along Friedenstrasse and then take the stairs to the left up to the Memorial Tine Kolup, also known as the False Emperor. Now take a natural but also relatively steep path uphill through the forest. We reach the top via a staircase, turn left briefly and then immediately right again onto the Hasenpfad. This ends at the road "an der Landhege", where we keep left. We come to Frankfurter Strasse and keep right. At the traffic lights we cross Frankfurter Strasse and shortly afterwards we take a second set of traffic lights. This way we safely cross Landesstrasse 3451. On the other side we decide to take the stairs up to the right.

At the footpath, we immediately turn left onto the path and follow it until we reach Schanzenfeldstrasse, which we cross and then follow the road "auf der Plank". This leads us directly to the starting point, the Leica World and the Ernst Leitz Museum.

Normal hiking equipment is sufficient. Good shoes recommended.

No special safety precautions required. Beware of frost in the winter months and slippery surfaces in wet weather!

Via L3451 to the Leitz-Park (Navigation: 35578 Wetzlar, Am Leitz-Park 5).

Take the German train to Wetzlar station. From there or the ZOB, take the bus line 11 to the  "AmLeitz-Park" stop to start the circular walk.

Parking Leitz Park

Tourist Information Wetzlar

Domplatz 8, 35578 Wetzlar

Tel. 06441/99-7755

E-mail: tourist-info@wetzlar.de

A visit to the Leica Erlebniswelt and the Ernst Leitz Museum is a highlight for all photography enthusiasts (note opening times).