GeoRoute In the valley of the old hut

Description

The name of the small watercourse "Altenhütterbach" already reveals that there was once an important iron smelting plant here. In the 18th century, cast iron products were exported from the "Alte Hütte" to the whole of Europe. Mining also took place here and left its mark.

For example, decorative stove plates were produced, which were particularly popular in Flanders and Holland. The Rhenish Westerwald remained important for the smelter operators. The high-quality ore deposits made it possible to produce excellent steel. The invention of the steam engine soon made deep mining with pumps possible. Large industrial mines were built near Oberlahr and Horhausen, some of which were operated until the middle of the 20th century. Mining also took place near Hombach and considerable facilities were built, for example at the Ferdinand mine.

This GeoRoute leads through what is now the "Lahrer Herrlichkeit" core zone of the Rhine-Westerwald Nature Park. The lush natural landscape here has covered up the traces of mining. Natural habitats for rare plants and animals have formed on the former spoil tips and in the quarries. Along the hiking trail, numerous information points provide an exciting search for traces of the more than 1000-year-old mining and smelting tradition "in the valley of the old smelter".

The GeoRoute runs along numerous information points of the National GEOPARK Westerwald-Lahn-Taunus and offers spectacular views in addition to nature and history.

The 17.6 km long hiking trail can also be hiked in two or three stages via connecting paths.

Approach

By car: From Altenkirchen via the B 256, turn right at Bruchermühle and follow the signs for "Niedersteinebach / Obersteinebach" (K1).
From Neuwied or via the A3 (Neuwied exit) also take the B 256 towards Horhausen, at the entrance to Horhausen follow the signs for Niedersteinebach/Obersteinebach.

Public transport

From Altenkirchen or also from Neuwied with bus line 120,
change to line 125 in Horhausen (buses also run at weekends).

Information on travel times at vrminfo.de

Parking

Free parking at the starting points of the tour:

• Obersteinebach village pond, Hauptstraße, 56593 Obersteinebach (Google coordinates: 50.590499899260024, 7.499069530492686)
• Maria Himmelfahrt Chapel, Dreischläger Straße, 53577 Neustadt-fernthal (50.59720189014989, 7.444391885514245)

Directions

The first traces of iron ore smelting date back to the Middle Ages, over 1,000 years ago, when small clay furnaces were used to smelt iron here. At that time, the ore was mined in open-cast pits. Even today, you can still find the mining pits on the ridges, usually arranged like a string of pearls. By the 17th century at the latest, the local smelting industry had developed into a flourishing trade. In the so-called "Alte Hütte" and in the "Neue Hütte", which was later built near Pleckhausen, decorative stove plates were produced, for example, which were in high demand, especially in Flanders and Holland. In the 19th century, the smelters continued to develop technically. Larger quantities of steel could now be produced. The small sites in the narrow stream valleys were no longer competitive. Large steelworks were now built on the Rhine. Nevertheless, the Rhenish Westerwald remained important for the smelter operators. The high-quality ore deposits found here made it possible to produce excellent steel. The small mines were gradually expanded into larger integrated mines. The invention of the steam engine soon made deep mining with pumps possible. Large industrial mines were built near Oberlahr and Horhausen, some of which were operated until the middle of the 20th century. Mining also took place near Hombach and considerable facilities were built, for example at the Ferdinand mine. This GeoRoute leads through what is now the "Lahrer Herrlichkeit" core zone of the Rhine-Westerwald Nature Park. The lush natural landscape here has covered up the traces of mining. Natural habitats for rare plants and animals have formed on the former spoil tips and in the quarries. Along the hiking trail, which can also be hiked in various stages via connecting paths, numerous information points enable an exciting search for traces of the more than 1000-year-old mining and smelting tradition "in the valley of the old smelter".

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

Refreshments available:

• "Waller-Stube" Obersteinebach 0177 6459538
• www.grube-ferdinand.de
• www.hotelheiderhof.de
• www.dreischlagerhof.business.site

Destination

Village square at the village pond in 56593 Obersteinebach or church in 53577 Neustadt-Fernthal

Starting Point

Village square at the village pond in 56593 Obersteinebach or church in 53577 Neustadt-Fernthal