Hike between Hirz and Maulsbach

Description

In many places, I encounter the local history of this region. For example, I pass the old Sayn Landwehr, a former border defense of the County of Sayn (1300 to 1500). Hidden between trees, I can see the former embankment. Much younger is the historically significant Peace Oak, which was protected in 1945 by the French forced laborer Aimé Portal and today is even featured on the label of a French red wine from his family business.

I discover a red-white striped post, a sign of the former NATO pipeline, which runs here underground from Cologne through the Westerwald.

Along the route through the villages, I come across old half-timbered houses and the historical village lime tree, where people met during wartime for farewells and reunions. This is recounted in a poem by the local poet Paula Hell, which I can read here.
Several times I cross small streams and enjoy the meadow landscape.

Approach

You can reach Mehren via the B8 through Kircheib or Weyerbusch. Here you leave the town via Mehrbachtalstraße and reach the marked parking lot behind the sewage treatment plant and before a sharp right turn.

Public transport

Bus connection only possible Fri. - Sat. Timetable information at www.vrminfo.de

With bus line 254, you can reach Hirz-Maulsbach and Mehren from Weyerbusch or also Kircheib

Parking

Small hiking parking lot near the Mehren sewage treatment plant (near Mehrenerstr. 1, 57635 Mehren)

The parking lot is free of charge but offers only about 3 parking spaces.
More space is available at the parking lot of the shooting house, Fiersbacher Straße, north of the Maulsbach district

Directions

From the parking lot, the path goes along a natural trail parallel to the Maulsbach towards Nieder-Maulsbach to the village lime tree. From there, I return to the Mehrbach valley and hike on paved paths through forest and meadow areas to the Hirzbach. After crossing the stream, it goes uphill into a woodland area, and if I look closely, I discover a faint embankment between the trees, which was naturally much more powerful in the past. For centuries, this was where the border to the County of Sayn had to be protected.

At the end of the woodland, the path leads down again to the Sessenhauser Bach and I reach the legendary Peace Oak. On the way to Hirzbach, there is a wonderful view of the hilly landscape, which is crossed underground by the former NATO pipeline. In an emergency, this pipeline was to ensure the fuel supply for NATO forces. The route continues on paved paths through Hirzbach and to Hähnen. Along the forest edge, I cross two small spring brooks of the Hirzbach again and reach Maulsbach via paved roads. At the edge of the town, I turn back into the wonderful meadow landscape of the Maulsbach and enjoy the last section of my hike on a paved but natural path, back to the starting point.

Safety instructions

Wear sturdy footwear and weather-appropriate, functional clothing that protects you from cold and wet or heat and sun. Bring enough liquid as there is no immediate refreshment possibility on the hiking trail

Tips

On the return trip, a stop at the half-timbered village of Mehren should definitely be planned, with wonderful half-timbered houses and a Romanesque church.

Literature

Route map with station points

Destination

Hiking parking lot at the sewage treatment plant

Starting Point

Small hiking parking lot near the Mehren sewage treatment plant (near Mehrenerstr. 1, 57635 Mehren)