Druidensteig - Stage 4 from Elkenrother Weiher to Betzdorf

Description

The tour starts at Elkenrother Weiher and for the most part leads steadily downhill into the Siegtal valley. But first you have to master the ascent to the Hasselichskopf. At the top, pause to take in the atmosphere at the witches' oak. The trail now descends along the Steinebach stream until it flows into the Heller. Along the way, you can discover old tunnel mouths that bear witness to the mining past of this region. Once you arrive in Betzdorf, it is worth making a detour into the town center. The Breidenbacher Hof, for example, is a great place to eat and spend the night.

Brief description

Mystical creatures and contemporary witnesses of the region's mining history accompany you on this stage from the idyllic Elkenrother Weiher to Betzdorf.

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, which runs between Siegen and Limburg (Lahn), also stops here. From Betzdorf, the Rothaarbahn runs to Bad Berleburg, the Hellertal-Bahn to Dillenburg and the Daadetal-Bahn to Daaden.

Bus route 270 runs between Elkenroth and Betzdorf.

Parking

Several parking facilities in the town center of Betzdorf (for a fee, more information here: www.vg-bg.de/parkplaetze/).

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

Directions

Right at the start, a climb up the Hasselichskopf to the witches' oak awaits you. The old tree stands gnarled in a swampy area, and as you look at it, thoughts of mystical creatures come to mind. The longest certified GeoRoute in Germany runs through a basalt mining area at Käuser Steimel. The Käusersteimel mine, on the other hand, is better known, where important mineral discoveries were made over 100 years ago.

Towards Heller, you follow the Steinebach stream down the valley. There were several mines along the stream, the tunnels of which can still be found in the steep slopes today. A special feature here is the Wilhelmsglück mine geotope. Cobalt ore was used, for example, as a blue dye for the famous Westerwald blue-grey ceramics.

Alsdorf, where the Steinebach flows into the Heller, was also heavily influenced by the coal and steel industry. Large smelting works were once located here. The managers of these works, the Hüttenschulzen, also lived here. The Hüttenschulzehaus in Alsdorf, which still stands today, bears witness to this period. The half-timbered house, which is a listed building, stands out clearly from the rest of the buildings due to its unusual entrance area.

From Alsdorf, the route takes you along the slopes of the Hellertal valley to your final destination of Betzdorf. The town is still an important railroad junction today. In the past, it was a focal point for the transportation of ore and coal between the mines and the smelting works. The mining administration of the Krupp mines was also located in Betzdorf.

From the stage finish, you can reach the town center with its numerous stores and accommodation options via an access path.

Safety instructions

• 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.
• In autumn in particular, you should be aware that leaves lying on the ground can hide uneven surfaces, roots, stones or holes in the path. You have to reckon with this type of path impairment 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 or download the free "Experience Rhineland-Palatinate" app.

Equipment

• 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 hiking boots that are suitable for the route and offer sufficient grip even on slippery and steep or rocky and uneven paths.

Tips

A walk around the Elkenroth pond brings inner peace. How about some delicious home-cooked food from Landhaus Krombach in Elkenroth?

Literature

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

Destination

Betzdorf

Starting Point

Hikers' parking lot at Elkenrother Weiher