Westerwald

The Westerwald is a low mountain range in western Germany, forming part of the Rhenish Massif. It lies mainly in Rhineland-Palatinate, with smaller parts in North Rhine-Westphalia and Hesse. The landscape is forested, featuring ridges, plateaus and scattered basalt outcrops, with the highest peak being Fuchskaute at 657 meters. The region is drained by several small rivers and is characterized by a mosaic of woodlands and agricultural land.

Historically, the Westerwald has been a center of settlement and craft. It is especially known for the Kannenbäckerland, a long-running pottery region around Höhr-Grenzhausen that produced salt-glazed stoneware from the 16th century onward. In addition to ceramics, the economy traditionally included forestry and agriculture, with small-scale industry developing in towns and villages. Towns such as Montabaur, Hachenburg, Diez and Bad Marienberg function as regional centers and gateways to the surrounding countryside.

Nature and tourism play important roles in the region. The Westerwald includes protected areas and nature parks, notably the Naturpark Rhein-Westerwald, which preserves forested landscapes and cultural heritage. The area is popular for outdoor recreation, with hiking and cycling routes such as the Westerwaldsteig connecting villages, viewpoints and historic sites. The cultural landscape features half-timbered towns, castles and churches that reflect the region’s historic development.

The name Westerwald translates roughly as “western forest,” reflecting its location on the western edge of the Rhine region.