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

Description

The route begins at Ehrenstein Monastery in the Wiedtal valley. This gem at the foot of the Mehrbach stream has been inhabited for over 500 years and offers a place of tranquillity and inner contemplation. The massive, ancient copper beech in the monastery garden will amaze you. From the monastery, walk towards Wied to the Ehrenstein forester's lodge and the Rochus Chapel. It was given its current shape in 1761. Now you climb up to Altenburg via a forest path. The St. Joseph Chapel, built by the village community, has stood there since 1929. The path leads you past Altenburg into the valley of the Ütgenbach stream, where you soon reach the St. Florinus Chapel. Here you can stop and rest on a bench. The route continues past Schöneberg into the Krumbach valley and along the Mehrbach stream to Niedermühlen. A neo-Gothic chapel was built here in 1862, which was extended in 1892 and took on its current dimensions. The trail now leads back through the Mahrbach valley past the Kapaunsmühle mill, which was first mentioned in 1714, to Diefenau. From there, the trail continues along the Mehrbach via Dasbach and Altenburg back to the starting point in Ehrenstein.

Approach

Coming by car from Neustadt/Wied (A3 junction Neustadt/Wied), take the Wiedtal in the direction of Altenkirchen. After a few kilometers, turn left (well signposted) to Ehrenstein Monastery.

Public transport

No arrival by public transport possible

Parking

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

Directions

The Chapel Trail connects places with centuries of history. The trail begins at Ehrenstein Castle and Monastery. The hillside castle is located 25 m above the Mehrbach river in the immediate vicinity of Ehrenstein Monastery. The castle was first mentioned in a document in 1331. During the Thirty Years' War, the castle was destroyed by Swedish troops and has not been rebuilt since. The castle chapel, which originally belonged to Ehrenstein Castle and was located in the lower castle, was extended in 1477 by the knight Bertram von Nesselrode and elevated to the status of 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 brief interruptions, by canons of the Order of the Cross. Today, a seminar house of the "Waldbreitbach Franciscan Sisters" is located in the monastery building. The current monastery complex only includes part of the former monastery grounds. From here, the path leads towards Wied to the Ehrenstein forester's lodge and the Rochus Chapel. A chapel in honor of the plague patron saint Rochus was built on the site of today's chapel around 1500; it was given its present form in 1761. From here, we turn off the main road and take a forest path up to Altenburg, past the Ehrenstein cemetery and the former Kaltehöhe manor house. Altenburg is home to the St. Josef Chapel, which was built by the village community in 1929. The trail continues past Altenburg into the Ütgenbach valley, where we soon reach the St. Florinus Chapel and the remains of the Ütgenbach motte. The chapel used to be surrounded by a residence, even a noble family bore the name Ütgenbach. They moved to Ehrenstein Castle around 1330. The first mention of Ütgenbach probably dates back to 1173. The route continues past Schöneberg into the Krumbach valley and along Mehrbach to Niedermühlen. A neo-Gothic chapel was built in Niedermühlen in 1862 in honor of the Sorrowful Mother, but it soon proved to be too small. The current larger chapel was built in 1892 and 1893 under the direction of the architects Rüdell and Odenthal from Cologne. It was solemnly consecrated on October 5, 1894. The miraculous image was created in the 15th century and found its way from the Mehren church, across the Mehrbach, to Niedermühlen after the introduction of the Calvinist confession by the Counts of Sayn. The trail leads us back through the Mehrbach valley past the Kapaunsmühle mill, which was first mentioned in 1714, to Diefenau. Diefenau was first mentioned in 1486 as part of Bertram von Nesselrode's foundation of Ehrenstein Monastery; he donated various properties to the monastery, including the farm at "Diffanawe". Today's Diefenau forester's lodge was probably built in 1834 and was last extensively renovated in 1989. The trail continues past Mehrbach to Dasbach. In 1579, four Cologne farms and one farm owned by the Lords of Ehrenstein were recorded in Dasbach. Continuing through the Mehrbach valley, the path soon leads us back up to Altenburg. The path leads us below the former "Boddems Nück" refuge. The "Boddems Nück" refuge is located on a promontory and was once secured by earth walls and masonry. It is an early Frankish refuge that probably gave the village of Altenburg its name. The steep slopes and a ditch in front of it made the "Boddems Nück" a safe refuge. From Altenburg, the trail leads along the edge of the forest and on the last section past the Stations of the Cross in Ehrenstein, back to the starting point in Ehrenstein

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 hiking boots appropriate to the route, 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 uneven surfaces, roots, stones or holes in the path. You have to expect this type of path impairment when you go on a hike.
• Although the path 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

If you are in Ehrenstein, you should definitely visit the monastery church, which is over 500 years old. Structurally unchanged since it was built, the church is a special experience and a real cultural gem.

Destination

Ehrenstein monastery complex

Starting Point

Ehrenstein monastery complex