Asbach basalt trail (A1) - experience basalt mining and railroad history

Description

The Basalt Trail is a varied circular hiking trail that starts on Marktstraße in Asbach. Parking spaces and public transport connections are available there. The route first leads to the former railroad station with today's landscape and railroad museum, where the history of the Bröhl Valley Railway comes to life.

You continue along the old railroad embankment through the Asbachtal valley with its wet meadows to the former "Bennau Tal" station and along the Wahler Bach stream past old basalt quarries to Buchholz. From there, you walk through the "Barger Heck" forest area and via the former Mückenfeldchen basalt quarry back to Asbach.

The trail combines nature, industrial history and railroad romance in an impressive way.

Approach

The Asbach market square and the parish church are located in the center of the village.

Public transport

At the market square in Asbach there is a convenient connection to the local public transport system (lines SB51, SB52)

Parking

Sufficient parking spaces are available on the market square in 53567 Asbach (free of charge)

Directions

The Basalt Trail begins on Marktstraße in Asbach. There are plenty of parking facilities here and all options for arriving and departing by public transport. From here, the trail leads to the former Asbach railroad station, which now houses the Asbach Landscape and Railway Museum. The building brings the history of the Bröhltalbahn back to life. The trail continues past a park with a pond onto the embankment of the former Bröhltalbahn. The path now leads across the open valley of the Asbach with its extensive wet meadows to the former "Bennau Tal" station. From here, a track ran to the loading point of the Bennau basalt quarry. The hiking trail continues on the railroad line along the Wahler Bach stream, past the former Limberger Kopf basalt quarry to Buchholz. From here, the trail continues into the center of Buchholz. The trail continues past the Buchholz mill through the "Barger Heck" to the former Mückenfeldchen basalt quarry and then back to the starting point in Asbach.

Safety instructions

• Wear sturdy shoes and appropriate clothing that is suitable for the weather and protects you from the cold and wet or the heat and sun.
• Take enough liquid with you. Refreshment stops are not available everywhere.
• Please wear appropriate hiking boots along the way, which will give you sufficient grip even on slippery and steep or rocky and uneven paths.
• If you are of the opinion that certain sections of the trail are not suitable for you, you should avoid them. Especially in adverse weather conditions, muddy and slippery passages can occur on near-natural paths.
• Particularly in the fall, you should also be aware that leaves lying on the ground can hide bumps, roots, stones or holes in the path. You have to reckon with these kinds of path impairments when you go on a hike.
• Although the trail is very well marked throughout, you should always have a suitable hiking map with you for safety reasons.

Equipment

Hiking boots and clothing suitable for the weather are an advantage

Tips

A visit to the railroad museum in Asbach (Sundays only; note opening times) is a must!

Destination

Marketplace

Starting Point

Marketplace