Boden - Clay theme trail - the white gold of the Westerwald (red route)

Description

The region of the southern Westerwald is literally a "land rich in stones" and therefore especially suitable for establishing a theme hiking trail. "The white gold," as clay is also called, has sustainably shaped the landscape, the economy, and the people. The mills along the Ahrbach and the open-pit mines also play an important role.

Discover the white gold of the Westerwald on the clay theme trail. On the eleven-kilometer circular hiking trail of the clay theme trail - red route - this is quite easy. The trail starts at the Ahrbachhalle in Boden and leads via Niederahr and Moschheim back to the starting point. Along the way, various information boards explain geological, geological, and cultural-historical aspects of clay and basalt.

Approach

From Montabaur, take the B255 exit to Boden.

In Boden, turn right after the gas station; the Ahrbachhalle is already signposted there.

Public transport

Take bus line 116 from Montabaur city center or the central bus station at the ICE train station to Boden.

Parking

Free parking is available directly in front of the Ahrbachhalle at Schulstraße 4 in

56412 Boden.

Directions

You start the hike at the Ahrbachhalle in Boden. Between a fenced children’s playground and the parent and senior meeting point, a meadow path leads you along the Ahrbach. You use the bridge over the Ahrbach and climb the switchbacks to the first viewpoint, the "Esther" pit!

Here you see for the first time the immense dimension of the pit; it extends from the northeast, past the remains of a basalt mountain, far to the southwest. An information board there contains interesting facts about clay and a hint for continuing on.

Back at the playground, you go right "An der Hofwiese", straight across the soccer field and village square, then 20 meters left, and then follow a narrow path to the right to the old Meudter Street, passing the transformer house on the left. Behind a built-up mound covered with trees and bushes hides the former Bodener mill. An information board provides details about the history of this mill.

Across the old Meudter Street, you continue to the northern bypass of Boden. Due to fast-moving vehicles, your increased attention is required when crossing the road!

To your left is now the "Anna" open-pit mine, where no clay has been mined for years, which is why a small pond has already formed. Two steps lead you to the observation point.

Arriving at the former site of the "Steinecker mill", you can take your first break. Seating and a snack table invite you to linger. An information board shows that there were once ten mills along the Ahrbach!

Freshly strengthened, you continue over the "Wolfsholzer Bach" – after 10 meters you are right in the area of the "Pfeul" pit of the company Sibelco. On the path created by this company, you walk parallel to the Ahrbach. Three clarifier ponds on the right reflect the area of the pit.

At the viewpoint (300 meters further) awaits a true highlight for you: in various ochre colors, mighty layers of different types of clay (qualities) lie before you. Excavators and trucks appear like toys compared to the thickness of the clay layers. You can let the impressions sink in and read the information on the information board of the "Pfeul" pit!

On the north side of the railway tracks, you now pass tennis courts and the municipal depot of Niederahr; on the right is a nice playground directly on the hiking path. At the start of the mill path, an information board informs you about the further route of the clay-themed trail red route. The mill path leads you straight, slightly left, to the old B 255. The building to the left of the street housed the former "Gilberts mill" – millstones in the yard and a millstone set upright 30 meters north of a house on the main street recall the era of the mills. You quickly cross the old federal road now to follow the opposite hillside path. On a gravel path, you go right until you see a magnificent viewpoint into the "Petschmorgen" open-pit mine on the hill. The information board provides information about clay mining in the past.

The path continues past a settling basin and soon you stand in front of a large parking lot. You turn left and then straight along the edge of the forest. On the right is the former company "Westfalia" – today "GEA-Westfalia" – as a separator factory Niederahr with large production halls and ton-heavy stainless steel products visible.

On the red route, you hike further north in the shade of the forest. After about 400 meters, you turn left onto a gravel path into the forest. After another 150 meters, you turn right, then again left. At the foot of the Malberg, you reach another viewpoint for the theme path with an information board about clay transport. A rest area invites you to linger.

The path leads further below the Malberg to a bright gravel path turning left toward Moschheim. You cross the railway tracks and after the first buildings take the path left to the end of Oststraße. Passing the gate on the right, you enter the area of the Moschheim fishing club.

You leave the area over a small footbridge, first turn left, then right, and cross the paved access road to the "Petschmorgen" clay pit. Behind a solitary oak (left), a field path leads steeply uphill straight ahead, past the "Lustige Gewann" to the "Lustiger Hügel". Shortly before the hill covered with trees and bushes, you have a magnificent panoramic view and can inform yourself using the theme board.

You now go back down south and see on the left, after an aging Christmas tree plantation, large leveled areas where a few years ago the "Guterborn I" clay pit of the company Goerg & Schneider was still in operation!

Before the forest, you now turn right twice and see a reclamation forest to the left of the path. You keep half-right and then turn left after 300 meters. This site was exploited years ago by the company "Fuchs’che Tongrube Ransbach-Baumbach" and is now exemplary reclaimed! As you continue, you recognize to the right through the trees the administration building of the Westerwald district waste management company; you walk along the fence to the transformer station, then left, cross the street, and walk back on the sidewalk to the district. Entering the town, you cross the "Kannenbäckerstraße" beginning in Boden after 15 meters and use the footpath through a hole in the noise barrier. Behind the building on the left – toward the district – lies a large basalt stone. Passing by, you enter the forest at a 45° angle behind a water transfer station of the former landfill. A theme board contains information about the soil beneath our feet and the reclamation of the site.

You now come upon a cross path, follow it right to shortly before its end, turn left onto a small path. At the next cross path, you continue straight on our path. Across some steps you reach the old sports field of the municipality Bannberscheid, which you can bypass on the right and follow the paved path to the left. At the top (a large meadow is on the left), you turn right into the forest. After 100 meters, slightly downhill in the forest, a narrow side path of 70 meters leads right to a wonderful view of a fish pond (former clay pit). Linger and enjoy!

Back on the path, you go another 50 meters and see another fish pond to the left. On the right is now a small fish pond bordered by old guardrails.

The path now leads left along the edge of the forest, and you reach the underpass toward Boden. Here you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view for the last time. Directly in front of you lies Boden. Following the signs, you reach the Ahrbachhalle and have reached the end of the red route.

Safety instructions

Since clay is still being mined in the various pits today, it is important that you only move on the designated routes. Please keep a sufficient distance from the steep edges of the clay pits (risk of falling and injury) and watch out for transport vehicles that might cross your path.

Equipment

I dress according to the weather and the season.

Now put on sturdy footwear and off you go .....

Tips

The various soil layers in the mining pits shine in different color displays depending on the time of day. It is therefore worthwhile to hike this theme route once early in the morning or later in the afternoon.

Literature

A free flyer with a map is available at the Montabaur Tourist Information

Destination

Ahrbachhalle Boden, Schulstraße 4 in 56412 Boden

Starting Point

Ahrbachhalle Boden, Schulstraße 4 in 56412 Boden