[5] The Elbbach arises in the Rhineland-Palatinate part of the Westerwald, a few miles northwest of Westerburg, from the convergence of several streams north of Ailertchen.

In the latter part of its route, through the state of Hesse, the Elbbach flows through the nature reserve "Elbbachtal".

This protected area follows the course of the river over approximately 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) from the state border to the city of Hadamar.

Vegetation valuable from both botanical and faunistic point of view, habitat of numerous rare and endangered species of flora and fauna, of particular importance for running waters, locally significant bird breeding area."

The latter area consists of two sub-areas of wet meadow, which is particularly important because of the occurrence of the dark and the light-colored butterfly called the Scarce large blue.