Dreiherrensteigweg Buchholz/WW. (B2) - On the trail of the "Battle of Kircheib"

Description

The Dreiherrenstein trail begins in Buchholz and leads through the Hanfbach valley to the former site of the "Grube Louise" lead mine. The trail follows the disused railroad embankment of the Hennef - Buchholz line via Mendt, Irmeroth and Meisenbach to the Dreiherrenstein. Today, the stone forms the borders of two federal states, two administrative districts, three counties and four municipalities. On the way to Griesenbach, you will pass the historic battle site of the "Battle of Kircheib" in 1796. A fierce battle between the French and Austrians once raged here. If you close your eyes, you can literally feel the turmoil of the past. After a break on one of the benches, the route now leads through Oberscheid back to the starting point in Buchholz.

Approach

Coming from Asbach (and thus the A3), turn off at the traffic circle to Buchholz and follow the main road. In the center of Buchholz, keep right at the crossroads and head for the parking lot at the clearly visible church.

Public transport

www.vrminfo.de

Stop Grundschule Buchholz/WW.

Parking

Sufficient free parking spaces are available at the parish church in Buchholz (Navi: Haupstraße in 53567 Buchholz/WW)

Directions

The Dreiherrensteinweg starts in the center of Buchholz at the parish church. It leads through the Buchholz district of Wallroth into the Hanfbach valley to Kaminsberg. This area of the Hanfbach valley was the site of the Louise lead mine and a lead smelter, which is the predecessor of today's lead recycling plant. From here, the trail leads us along a section of the former Hennef - Buchholz railroad embankment to Mendt and from there via Irmeroth and Meisenbach to the Dreiherrenstein. A monument was erected by the Westerwald-Verein Buchholz e. V. in 1989 to commemorate the prominent Drei-Herren-Stein border point, where three territories - the Duchy of Berg, the County of Sayn and the Electorate of Cologne - met in the Middle Ages and where the borders of two federal states, two administrative districts, three administrative districts and four municipalities meet today; it stands at an altitude of 263.7 m above sea level. Not far from the Dreiherrenstein on the way to Griesenbach, the path leads over the battle site of the Battle of Kircheib. This was a military conflict during the Revolutionary Wars. In 1796, French troops conducted a major campaign in the Westerwald. An encampment was set up on the Jungeroth mountain spur, which today belongs to Buchholz. This location was particularly suitable due to several factors. It was naturally protected by slopes on three sides as well as the Hanfbach and Scheußbach rivers. In addition, the Steiner Berg, Priesterberg and Heppenberg, which were suitable as lookouts, and the high road from Cologne to Frankfurt were nearby. The camp was extensively fortified with ramparts and trenches. From June 4, 1796, the French army deployed from here. A victory was achieved in the Battle of Altenkirchen, pushing the Austrians back behind the Lahn. On June 15, however, the French were defeated by the Austrians near Wetzlar and retreated back to their camp. The retreat to Düsseldorf was planned for the next few days. The Austrians attacked the French camp in Jungeroth (near Buchholz) with cavalry and infantry at two o'clock in the morning on June 19, 1796, but were repulsed and pursued by the French as far as Kircheib. The village was well defended. The French first took it under artillery fire and then stormed it, where they were again fired on by Austrian artillery positioned on the hills behind the village. After a lengthy infantry battle for these heights, the French were beaten back and retreated. The French troops left behind 1,500 casualties, while the Austrians lost 400 soldiers. After the fighting, the French began their large-scale retreat. They crossed the Sieg River near Siegburg on June 20 and arrived in Düsseldorf on the 21st. A memorial inaugurated in 2009 commemorates the victims of the battle. From here, the trail leads through Oberscheid back to the starting point in Buchholz.

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 appropriate hiking boots along the way, 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, then 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 bumps, roots, stones or holes in the path. You have to reckon with these kinds of path impairments when you go on a hike.
• Although the trail 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

The "Irmerother Milchbüdchen" is located in Irmeroth. Here you can buy fresh milk and regional products around the clock. There are several places to stop for refreshments in Buchholz. Enjoy a coffee or a good meal on the spot.

Destination

Buchholz parish church

Starting Point

Buchholz parish church