Druidensteig - Stage 5 from Elkenrother Weiher to Betzdorf

Description

The tour starts at Elkenrother Weiher and leads mostly steadily downhill into the Sieg valley. But first, you have to master the climb to the Hasselichskopf. Once at the top, pause and appreciate the atmosphere at the Hexeneiche. Then it goes downhill first along the Steinebach until it flows into the Heller. Along the way, you can repeatedly discover old mine shaft entrances, which testify to this region's mining history. Once you arrive in Betzdorf, a detour to the town center is worthwhile. For example, the Breidenbacher Hof offers delicious food and cozy accommodation.

Public transport

Getting there by public transport

The train station in Betzdorf is well connected. The Rhein-Sieg-Express stops here on its route between Aachen and Siegen. The Westerwald-Sieg-Bahn, running between Siegen and Limburg (Lahn), also stops here. From Betzdorf, the Rothaarbahn goes to Bad Berleburg, the Hellertal-Bahn to Dillenburg, and the Daadetal-Bahn to Daaden.

Timetable information: www.dreilaenderbahn.de and www.rheinsiegexpress.de

Return to the stage start

Return trip from Betzdorf to Elkenroth: Bus line 270 (daily, approx. 20 minutes travel time)

Bus stop Betzdorf: Betzdorf bus station (from here there is an approx. 1 km long connecting path (yellow-black marking) to the main trail)
Bus stop Elkenroth: Elkenroth Marienberger Straße / Kirchstraße (from the village center in Elkenroth there is an approx. 1.5 km long connecting path (yellow-black marking) to the Druidensteig)

Parking

Several parking options in the town center of Betzdorf (for a fee, more info here: https://www.vg-bg.de/lebenswert/verkehr-mobilitaet/parkplaetze/).

Hiking parking lot at Elkenrother Weiher (Landstraße 286 between Elkenroth and Nauroth);
Navigation input: Weitefelder Straße, 57578 Elkenroth

Directions

Right at the start, a climb awaits you up to the Hasselichskopf to the Hexeneiche. The old tree stands gnarled in a swamp area, and while looking at it, thoughts of mystical beings come to you. The longest certified GeoRoute in Germany runs through a basalt quarry area at Käuser Steimel. More well-known is the Käusersteimel mine, where significant mineral finds were made over 100 years ago.

Towards the Heller, you follow the Steinebach downstream. Along the stream, there were several mines, the tunnel entrances of which can still be found in the steep slopes today. A special feature here is the geotope Grube Wilhelmsglück. Cobalt ore was used, for example, as a blue dye for the famous Westerwald blue-gray ceramics.

Alsdorf, at the confluence of the Steinebach into the Heller, was also strongly influenced by the mining industry. Large smelters were once located here. The managers of these works, the smelter foremen, also lived here. A contemporary witness from that time is the smelter foreman’s house in Alsdorf, which still stands today. This half-timbered house, listed as a historic monument, stands out significantly from the surrounding buildings due to its unusual entrance area.

From Alsdorf, the path leads you along the slopes of the Heller valley to your final destination, Betzdorf. The town remains an important railway junction to this day. Previously, it was a hub for ore and coal transport between mines and smelter locations. The mining administration of the Krupp mines was also located in Betzdorf.

From the stage destination, you can reach the town center with numerous shops and accommodation options via a connecting path.

Safety instructions

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.

Particularly in autumn, be aware that fallen leaves on the ground can conceal unevenness, roots, stones, or holes in the path. You must expect these kinds of path obstructions when hiking.

Although the path is continuously very well marked, for safety reasons you should always carry a suitable hiking map or download the free app "Rheinland-Pfalz erleben".

Equipment

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

Bring enough fluids with you. Refreshment options are not available everywhere.

Please wear hiking shoes suitable for the path, providing enough grip even on slippery and steep or rocky and uneven paths.

Tips

A walk around the Elkenrother Weiher brings inner peace. How about delicious homemade food from Landhaus Krombach in Elkenroth?

Literature

A KOMPASS hiking map North including the Druidensteig is available via the Westerwald-Shop.

Destination

Betzdorf

Starting Point

Hiking parking lot at Elkenrother Weiher