Butterpfad

Description

We start at the hiking car park in Hümmerich. Opposite, the Landhotel Fernblick lives up to its name (terrace with a wide view). From here, the historically interesting Butterpfad, which can be walked without much effort, leads us down to the Hümmerich mill (former oil mill) in the lovely Fockenbach valley. Soon the mining history of this region becomes apparent because the path leads us along the former copper ore and iron ore mines Alexander and Louisenglück. After a small climb to a wonderful viewpoint, we reach Straßenhaus and can enjoy a refreshment at the Avanti ice cream café. We must not miss the detour to the sequoia forest above the Jahrsbach valley. On a forest lounger we can calmly enjoy the tree giants over 40 years old. At the end of our hike the Völkerwiesenbach valley welcomes us, and then we soon reach our destination, the St. Kastor Chapel at the Rengsdorf Spa Park.

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Approach

Hümmerich:

From A3 Neuwied exit, then B 256 towards Horhausen, turn left after Willroth, over L270 towards Hümmerich - after approx. 2.0 km turn left to the Friedrichstraße hiking car park at the entrance to Hümmerich

Rengsdorf:

From A3 Neuwied exit, then B 256 towards Neuwied up to Rengsdorf - exit Obere Mühle/Hardert turn left into Friedrich-Ebert-Straße in the town centre and follow it to St. Kastor Chapel.

From Neuwied direction: B256 to town centre - turn right into Friedrich-Ebert-Straße and follow it to St. Kastor Chapel.

Public transport

To Hümmerich:

From Neuwied station take bus line 101 (towards Straßenhaus/Horhausen) to Straßenhaus, then change to bus line 140 to Hümmerich

To Rengsdorf:

From Neuwied station with bus lines 101/131/132

Parking

Hümmerich:

Hiking car park at the entrance of Hümmerich, Friedrichstraße

Rengsdorf:

Car park at St. Kastor Chapel Rengsdorf, Friedrich-Ebert-Straße

Directions

From the hiking car park in Hümmerich, the path initially leads a short distance through the village, past the small scale museum (those interested in a visit should contact Rudi Lück at phone number 02687-326), and then goes through meadows heading south. The Butterpfad leads down into the Fockenbach valley via the Mühlenweg. We pass the Franze-Loch hut, where a panel gives us information about the history of this place. We reach the valley at the Hümmerich mill and soon encounter the mining history of this region. At the Alexander tunnel and the former Louisenglück mine we learn more about it.

A pleasant path through the Fockenbach valley takes us after a gentle climb to a wonderful viewpoint, and shortly afterwards we have reached Straßenhaus. Here is the halfway point of our hike.

Next, we continue to the next attraction on the Butterpfad: the sequoia forest above the Jahrsbach valley. Here the largest contiguous sequoia forest in the Rhein-Westerwald Nature Park has been developed. The sequoias stand a little off the Butterpfad, but the detour is worth it. On a forest lounger you can find peace among the tree giants older than 40 years. The next station is an archaeological monument, a reconstructed Celtic grave near Bonefeld. It is also somewhat off the path and offers interesting historical information.

We finally reach the Völkerwiesenbach valley via a narrow path, and now it is not far to the former Hotel Obere Mühle. About 500 m further we have reached the destination of our hike, the St. Kastor Chapel at the Rengsdorf Spa Park.

Safety instructions

none

Equipment

Ankle-high hiking boots are recommended.

Tips

The Butterpfad (12 km) is accessible year-round in both directions. It has only slight elevation changes and is also excellently suited for inexperienced hikers. Butterpfad information panels are located at historic points along the entire route.

The scale museum in Hümmerich can be visited; please register with Rudi Lück at phone number 02687-326.

Detours from the Butterpfad to the sequoia forest near Straßenhaus and to the archaeological monument "Celtic graves" near Bonefeld; please observe the signposts.

Destination

Rengsdorf, St. Kastor Chapel, Friedrich-Ebert-Straße

Starting Point

Hümmerich, Friedrichstraße car park