Betzdorf - circular hike to the Dickendorfer Mill

Description

Out of the city - into the forest. That could be the motto of this day route, which has it all. Besides the large forest portion, this hike offers you many meters of elevation gain, great views with nice places for a break or a picnic, and impressive sights. From Betzdorf, you walk past the Eisweiher through the forest to the Berghof above Dauersberg. The steady ascent leads you further to the rest and viewpoint Dauersberg with its great view over the Betzdorf district far into the Bergische Land. Afterwards, the markings of the Druidensteig and the Natursteig Sieg lead you past the "Alm" through Steineroth up to the Steinerother Kopf. At the summit cross, a truly grand view over the Elbbachtal, Gebhardshain up to the Siebengebirge on the Rhine awaits you.

The route now leads you down to the Molzhainer chapel and further over a steep gravel path on the edge of Molzhain to the historic Dickendorfer Mill located deep in the Elbbachtal—a unique, peaceful beautiful site with a pond and a basin. Here you can stop for refreshments or visit the mill.

From this southernmost point of the hike, you go on the Natursteig Sieg through the youth recreation center up to the Molzhainer Höhe. Now the biggest efforts are behind you. Here you meet the Druidensteig again, which together with the Natursteig Sieg first leads to a small pond and then through the wooded valley of the Steinebach down to Alsdorf. Before reaching your destination at Betzdorf train station, sights such as Hüttenschulzehaus, Kreuzland chapel, Catholic church, as well as some large commercial buildings from the Gründerzeit period, are on your way.

Public transport

Bus and train, Betzdorf train station

Parking

Parking lot Im Rainchen, Rainstraße, 57518 Betzdorf
Free parking with about 20 spaces

Directions

This route starts and ends at Betzdorf train station. Very close by is also the central bus station. If you arrive by car, the free parking lot at the city park area "Im Rainchen" is recommended. From the train station, the hiking trail is well marked as an access path to the Druidensteig.

On the certified quality hiking trails Druidensteig and Natursteig Sieg, this approximately 15.6-kilometer-long route takes you from Betzdorf, train station or parking lot in Rainchen on access paths to the starting point of the 5th stage of the Druidensteig at the cemetery in Betzdorf, corner Mühlenweg/Engelsteinstraße. Here stands a large information gabion providing information about the railway history of the city of Betzdorf.

Already in the peaceful park area Rainchen you are in greenery and the stream accompanies your way. After a short section leading through Elly-Heuss-Knapp-Straße and after crossing Eberhardystraße you follow Engelsteinstraße, which leads you into the forest along the upper edge of the Eisweiher in the direction of Dauersberg.

You then continue above Dauersberg towards Steineroth. Here you reach the beautiful viewpoint Dauersberg - a good opportunity for a rest. Then the markings of the Druidensteig and the Natursteig Sieg lead you through Steineroth up to the panoramic point on Steinerother Kopf. The efforts after overcoming almost 300 meters of elevation reward you with a magnificent view over the Elbbachtal, Gebhardshain, the Bergisches Land up to the Siebengebirge on the Rhine.

The route now leads you down past the Molzhainer chapel over a steep gravel path on the edge of Molzhain to the historic Dickendorfer Mill, located deep in the Elbbachtal - a unique, tranquil beautiful site with a pond and a basin. The Zöller family has established a mill café where you can indulge yourself with homemade cake inside or outside in good weather.

From this southernmost point of the hike, you go via the Natursteig Sieg through the grounds of the youth recreation center on the other side of Molzhain up to the Molzhainer Höhe, where after the underpass of the bypass road the route reconnects with the Druidensteig. From here, the remaining part of the 4th stage, together with the Natursteig Sieg, leads through the wooded Steinebachtal down to Alsdorf. At the Hüttenschulzehaus - a stately half-timbered house with history from the 17th century - the Natursteig Sieg splits off again and you continue following the Druidensteig over a rocky forest path past the Kreuzland chapel up to the goal of the 4th stage of the Druidensteig. From there, you finally return via the access path marking Druidensteig to the parking lot below the park area in Rainchen and, if necessary, continue through the pedestrian zone to the train station.

Safety instructions

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

Carry sufficient fluids with you. There are not always places to stop for refreshments.

Please wear suitable hiking boots on the trail that provide you with sufficient grip even on slippery and steep or rocky and uneven paths.

If you consider certain sections of the path to be impassable for you, you should bypass them. Especially in adverse weather conditions, natural paths can become muddy and slippery.

Be particularly aware in autumn that fallen leaves can cover unevenness, roots, stones, or holes in the path. You must expect impairments of this kind if you undertake a hike.

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

Equipment

Hiking boots are recommended. Clothing should be adapted to the current weather conditions.

Tips

After the route, you can reward yourself in one of the cafés or ice cream parlors in downtown Betzdorf with the offered delicacies for your efforts.

Literature

Hiking map Druidensteig, Tourist Information Betzdorf-Gebhardshain, Town Hall Gebhardshain, 57580 Gebhardshain

Destination

Betzdorf train station, Bahnhofstraße, 57518 Betzdorf

Starting Point

Betzdorf train station, Bahnhofstraße, 57518 Betzdorf