Druidensteig - Stage 6 from Betzdorf to Steinebach

Description

The shortest stage of the Druidensteig is demanding. First, you have to master the climb up to Steinerother Kopf. Once at the top, you are rewarded with a magnificent view over the Westerwald. Then you go down into the idyllic Elbbach valley. The Dickendorfer mill is a special historic site here. The second climb of this stage up to the "White Horse" must also be mastered before you reach the stage destination, the visitor mine Grube Bindweide. From here you can continue to Gebhardshain via a side path.

Public transport

Arrival 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, which runs 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. From Betzdorf station, a yellow-black marked side path leads to the starting point of the stage.

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

Return to the stage start

Return trip from Steinebach to Betzdorf: bus line 271 (daily, travel time approx. 18 minutes)

Bus stop Steinebach: Steinebach (Sieg) Motorcycle Museum (From the bus stop, follow the yellow-black marked side path about 500 m to the visitor mine Grube Bindweide)

Bus stops Betzdorf:
- Betzdorf Römerweg (directly located at the Druidensteig)
- Betzdorf Bus Station (from here a yellow-black marked side path of about 1 km leads to the main path on Engelsteinstraße)

Parking

In Betzdorf, parking is available at the roadside on Engelsteinstraße (GPS input: Engelsteinstraße, 57518 Betzdorf).

Directions

Stage 6 is the shortest of the Druidensteig with only about 9 kilometers in length. For the last time, the long-distance hiking trail now leaves the Sieg valley near Betzdorf and leads you to Steinebach an der Sieg.

From Betzdorf, the hiking trail climbs over 200 meters in elevation to the Steinerother Kopf. The many distant views at Dauersberg and Steineroth repeatedly give you reason for short breaks. From the former basalt quarry at Steinerother Kopf, you can enjoy a special view over the northern Westerwald to the Bergisches Land at the small picnic area.

In the Elbbach valley, the hiking trail leads you to the historic Dickendorfer mill with its original grinding mechanism. Stop here and enjoy a delicious piece of cake made by the owners themselves. From here begins the ascent onto the "White Horse" – here you will overcome another 100 meters in elevation. On this mountain ridge, the Druidensteig again leads into a mining area. Along the path, you will find evidence of open-cast mining and remains of small tunnels.

In Steinebach an der Sieg is the stage destination at the visitor mine Grube Bindweide. The geoinformation center of the Westerwald-Lahn-Taunus geopark offers you the opportunity to ride with an original mine railway down to the historic underground mining sites.

Besides some offers in Steinebach a. d. Sieg, there are further offers for food, accommodation, and gastronomy in Gebhardshain. The village is connected to the Druidensteig by a 2-kilometer-long side path.

Safety instructions

If you think certain sections of the path are not passable for you, you should bypass them. Especially in bad weather conditions, natural paths can have muddy and slippery sections.

Particularly in autumn, you should be aware that fallen leaves on the ground can hide unevenness, roots, stones, or holes in the path. You must expect such path impairments when hiking.

Although the path is very well marked throughout, for safety reasons you should always have a suitable hiking map with you or download the free app "Experience Rhineland-Palatinate" .

Equipment

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

Bring enough fluids. There are not dining options everywhere.

Please wear hiking boots suitable for the trail that provide enough grip also on slippery and steep or rocky and uneven paths.

Tips

The ride with the mine railway in the visitor mine Grube Bindweide is a special experience. Delicious cake awaits at the Dickendorfer mill.

Literature

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

Destination

Visitor mine Grube Bindweide

Starting Point

Betzdorf