Dreiherrensteigweg Buchholz/WW. (B2) - In the footsteps of the "Battle of Kircheib"

Description

The Dreiherrensteinweg begins in Buchholz and leads through the Hanfbach valley to the former site of the lead mine "Grube Louise." Over the disused railway embankment of the Hennef - Buchholz line, it continues via Mendt, Irmeroth, and Meisenbach to the Dreiherrenstein. Today, the stone marks the borders of two federal states, two administrative districts, three counties, and four municipalities. Continuing towards Griesenbach, you pass the historic battlefield of the "Battle of Kircheib" from 1796. Once, a fierce battle raged here between French and Austrian troops. If you close your eyes, you can almost sense the tumult of those times. After a pause on one of the benches, it goes back through Oberscheid to the starting point in Buchholz.

Approach

Coming from Asbach (and thus the A3), turn off at the roundabout towards Buchholz and follow the priority road. In the village center of Buchholz, keep right at the intersection and head for the parking lot at the clearly visible church.

Public transport

www.vrminfo.de

Stop Grundschule Buchholz/WW.

Parking

There are sufficient free parking spaces available at the parish church in Buchholz (Navigation: Hauptstraße in 53567 Buchholz/WW)

Directions

The Dreiherrensteinweg begins in the village center of Buchholz at the parish church. Through the Buchholz district Wallroth, it leads into the valley of the Hanfbach to the Kaminsberg. In this area of the Hanfbach valley was the lead mine Grube Louise and a lead smelter, the predecessor of today's lead recycling plant. From here, the path takes us over a section of the former railway embankment of the Hennef – Buchholz line to Mendt and from there further via Irmeroth and Meisenbach to the Dreiherrenstein. In memory of the distinctive border point Drei-Herren-Stein, where in the Middle Ages three territories—the Duchy of Berg, the County of Sayn, and the Electorate of Cologne—met and today the borders of two federal states, two administrative districts, three counties, and four municipalities converge, a monument was erected by the Westerwald-Verein Buchholz e. V. in 1989; it stands at an elevation of 263.7 m above sea level. Not far from the Dreiherrenstein on the way to Griesenbach, the path passes over the battlefield of the Battle of Kircheib. This was a military conflict during the Revolutionary Wars. In 1796, the French troops conducted a larger campaign in the Westerwald. At the bergsporn Jungeroth, now belonging to Buchholz, a field camp was established. This location was particularly suitable due to several factors. Surrounded by slopes on three sides as well as the Hanfbach and Scheußbach, it was naturally secured. Additionally, the Steiner Berg, Priesterberg, and Heppenberg, suitable as lookout posts, as well as the High Road from Cologne to Frankfurt, were nearby. The camp was extensively fortified with protective walls and ditches. From June 4, 1796, the French army moved out from here to battles. They succeeded in the Battle of Altenkirchen, which pushed the Austrians back behind the Lahn. However, on June 15, the French were defeated by the Austrians at Wetzlar and retreated to their camp. A retreat to Düsseldorf was planned for the following days. On June 19, 1796, at two o'clock in the morning, the Austrians attacked the French camp in Jungeroth (near Buchholz) with cavalry and infantry but were repelled and pursued by the French to Kircheib. The village was well defended. The French first shelled it with artillery and then stormed it, but were themselves shelled by Austrian artillery positioned on the heights behind the village. After prolonged infantry fighting on these heights, the French were pushed back and retreated again. The French troops left behind 1,500 dead, while 400 Austrian soldiers fell. After the battles, the French began their extensive retreat. They crossed the Sieg at Siegburg on June 20 and reached Düsseldorf on the 21st. A monument inaugurated in 2009 commemorates the victims of the battle. From here, the path leads through Oberscheid back to the starting point in Buchholz.

Safety instructions

• Wear sturdy footwear and weather-appropriate, functional clothing that protects you from cold and wet or heat and sun.
• Take enough fluids with you. Refreshment stops are not available everywhere.
• Please wear appropriate hiking boots that provide you with sufficient support even on slippery, steep, rocky, or uneven paths.
• If you believe certain path sections are not passable for you, you should avoid them. Especially in adverse weather conditions, natural paths may have muddy and slippery sections.
• Especially in autumn, be aware that leaf litter on the ground can conceal uneven surfaces, roots, stones, or holes. You must expect path impairments of this kind when hiking.
• Although the path is very well marked throughout, you should always carry a suitable hiking map for safety reasons.

Equipment

Hiking boots and weather-appropriate clothing are advantageous

Tips

In Irmeroth stands the "Irmerother Milchbüdchen." Here you can buy fresh milk and regional products around the clock. In Buchholz, there are some places to stop for refreshment. Enjoy a coffee or a good meal on site.

Destination

Parish Church Buchholz

Starting Point

Parish Church Buchholz