Chapel Route Asbach (A2) - Chapel hike in the Asbach region

Description

The route begins at the Ehrenstein Monastery in Wied valley. This gem at the foot of the Mehrbach has been inhabited for over 500 years and offers a place of peace and inner contemplation. The massive, ancient beech tree in the monastery garden amazes you. From the monastery, you head towards Wied to the Ehrenstein forester's house and the Rochus Chapel. In 1761, it received its current form. Now you ascend via a forest path to the heights at Altenburg. There, since 1929, stands the St. Joseph Chapel built by the village community. The path leads you past Altenburg into the valley of the Ütgenbach, where you soon reach the St. Florinus Chapel. Here you can rest on a bench. The route now leads you past Schöneberg into the Krumbach valley and along the Mehrbach to Niedermühlen. There, in 1862, a neo-Gothic chapel was built, expanded in 1892, and reached its current dimensions. The path now leads back through the Mehrbach valley past the Kapaunsmühle, first mentioned in 1714, to Diefenau. From there, it continues along the Mehrbach via Dasbach, Altenburg, back to the starting point at Ehrenstein.

Approach

Coming by car from Neustadt/Wied (A3 junction Neustadt/Wied), drive through Wied valley towards Altenkirchen. After a few kilometers, turn left (well signposted) to Ehrenstein Monastery.

Public transport

No public transport access possible

Parking

By car to the Ehrenstein Monastery. There is ample parking available at the hiking parking lot. Navigation: Kreuzbruderweg in 53577 Neustadt/Wied

Directions

The Chapel Route connects places with a history spanning centuries. The route begins at Ehrenstein Castle and Monastery. The hill castle is located 25 m above the Mehrbach, in close proximity to the Ehrenstein Monastery. The castle was first mentioned in documents in 1331. During the Thirty Years' War, the castle was destroyed by Swedish troops and has not been rebuilt since. The castle chapel originally belonging to Ehrenstein Castle and located in the lower castle was expanded in 1477 by the knight Bertram von Nesselrode and elevated to a parish church. In 1486, he had the "Liebfrauenthal" monastery built next to the church, which was completed in 1488 and was inhabited for over 500 years, with short interruptions, by canons of the Order of the Holy Cross. Today, a seminar house of the "Waldbreitbacher Franciscan Sisters" is located in the monastery building. The currently existing monastery complex comprises only a part of the former monastery. From here, the path leads toward Wied to the Ehrenstein forester's house and the Rochus Chapel; at the site of the current chapel, a chapel dedicated to the plague patron Rochus was built around 1500, and in 1761 it received its present form. From here, we turn away from the state road and ascend via a forest path to the heights near Altenburg, passing the Ehrenstein cemetery and the former manor Kaltehöhe. In Altenburg stands the St. Joseph Chapel, built in 1929 by the village community. The path continues past Altenburg into the valley of the Ütgenbach where we soon reach the St. Florinus Chapel and the remains of the Ütgenbach motte. The chapel was formerly surrounded by a residence; even a noble family bore the name Ütgenbach. They moved around 1330 to Ehrenstein Castle. The first mention of Ütgenbach probably dates back to 1173. The path then leads past Schöneberg into the Krumbach valley and along the Mehrbach to Niedermühlen. In Niedermühlen, a neo-Gothic chapel was built in 1862 in honor of the sorrowful mother, but it soon proved too small. In the years 1892 and 1893, under the direction of architects Rüdell and Odenthal from Cologne, the current larger chapel was constructed. On October 5, 1894, it was solemnly consecrated. The image of grace originated in the 15th century and, after the introduction of the Calvinist confession by the Counts of Sayn, found its way from the churches of Mehren, over the Mehrbach, to Niedermühlen. The path leads back through the Mehrbach valley past the Kapaunsmühle, first mentioned in 1714, to Diefenau. Diefenau was first mentioned in 1486 in connection with Bertram von Nesselrode's foundation of the Ehrenstein Monastery; for the maintenance of the monastery, he donated various properties, including the farm "Diffanawe." The current Ehrenstein forester's house was probably built in 1834 and last comprehensively renovated in 1989. The path continues along the Mehrbach to Dasbach. In 1579, four Cologne estates and one estate owned by the Lords of Ehrenstein were recorded in Dasbach. Continuing through the Mehrbach valley, the path soon leads back up to Altenburg. The path runs below the former refuge castle "Boddems Nück." The refuge castle "Boddems Nück" lies on a promontory and was formerly secured by an earthen rampart and masonry. It is an early Frankish refuge castle that probably gave the place Altenburg its name. The steep slopes and a fore moat made "Boddems Nück" a secure refuge. From Altenburg, the path leads along the forest edge and, in the last section, past the Stations of the Cross of Ehrenstein, back to the starting point at Ehrenstein.

Safety instructions

• Wear sturdy footwear as well as weather-appropriate, functional clothing that protects you from cold and wet or heat and sun

• Take enough fluids with you. There are not always places to stop and eat along the route.

• Please wear appropriate hiking shoes that provide sufficient grip even on slippery and steep or rocky and uneven paths.

• If you consider certain sections of the path impassable, you should avoid them. Particularly in adverse weather conditions, natural paths can have muddy and slippery passages.

• Especially in autumn, be aware that leaves on the ground can conceal unevenness, roots, stones, or holes in the path. Expect such path impairments when hiking.

• Although the path is very well marked throughout, for safety reasons you should always carry a suitable hiking map with you.

Equipment

Hiking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are advantageous

Tips

If you are in Ehrenstein, you should definitely visit the monastery church, which is over 500 years old. Architecturally unchanged since its creation, the house of worship is a special experience and a true cultural jewel.

Destination

Ehrenstein Monastery complex

Starting Point

Ehrenstein Monastery complex