Kölner Weg Stage 10

Description

On this stage, we hike past former pits and mines and enter the High Westerwald. At Großen Wolfstein, we encounter a legendary rock formation and subsequently reach the Marienberg height at 567 meters, the highest point of the entire Kölner Weg. Later, we arrive at the Marienberg wildlife park and the Hedwig tower with a magnificent view. Shortly after, along a geological trail, the rocks found in the Westerwald are explained before we reach the impressive Basalt Park. Here, the former basalt mining is described in detail. Our stage ends in Bad Marienberg. 

Route profile: Despite the steady ascent to the highest point of the Kölner Weg, this is a simple, short hike with numerous viewpoints. Suitable for cyclists.

Along the way: former Concordia mine, former Georgszeche, Kirchwald Hörhahn, Großer Wolfstein, wildlife park, Hedwig tower, geological trail, Basalt Park, information building

Approach

Take the Montabaur exit on A3.

Continue via B255, B8 to Freilingen and then towards Wölferlingen, Enspel, Unnau to Korb.

Public transport

Starting point: RE9/S12 to Au (Sieg) and further by private railway towards Limburg to Unnau-Korb;

End point: good bus connections with RMV to Montabaur ICE station, further by ICE to Westerburg, from there by private railway to Au (Sieg) and further with RE9 or S12

Parking

Starting point: limited parking opportunities at Unnau-Korb station;

End point: numerous parking spaces in Bad Marienberg

Directions

We start this hike at Unnau-Korb train station and turn left until we reach the Wäschbach at the entrance to Korb. Here we meet the Kölner Weg again and turn right. The K leads us uphill to the L293, which we cross and continue towards the cemetery. After just 100 meters, the path branches off to the right into the Wäschbach valley, and we hike for a longer time in the forest. The path gradually ascends above the stream. Several fish ponds can be seen down in the valley, and we pass a solitary house. Shortly afterwards the path descends in a right curve to the Wäschbach, which we cross over two planks or by a ford.

Afterwards, the forest remains behind us. We approach Stangenrod, a village with some remarkable half-timbered houses. However, before the first house, a striking brick building, we turn left and climb uphill on a grassy path to Unnauer Straße (2.2 kilometers). There we turn right, head towards Stangenrod, and after about 50 meters turn left into Bergstraße, which leads into the street In der Kornbitze. At the end of it, we keep left and leave Stangenrod.

We now walk along a path initially partly lined with blackthorn bushes and wild roses. We gently ascend around the ridge of the Ziest (488 meters) on the left up to the forest edge. In front of us rises a tall "spruce dome," a beautiful luminous forest stand. Not far from the Kölner Weg and to the right of the path were the former mine buildings and a spoil heap of the brown coal mine Concordia.

Our path continues to ascend steadily through the forest. We eventually reach a junction. The Kölner Weg continues straight ahead. Just behind the junction, about 50 meters to the right of the path, were formerly the Georgszeche and a winding tower. Unfortunately, nothing remains of the former ore mine. We continue to follow the K straight ahead and pass to the right along the Bölsberger pasture, around which a nice story revolves.

At a fork, the K sends us to the right, and after a short distance, we reach the Hörhahn cabin. There, the K branches off to the left.

The path continues steeply uphill. Just before the summit of the path, the K turns left. After 150 meters, we reach the Großen Wolfstein, a bizarre rock formation at 555 meters elevation (6.2 kilometers).

Below the Großen Wolfstein, brown coal was also mined until after World War II. From the Großen Wolfstein, we walk on narrow forest paths over the Marienberg height. Here at 567.5 meters, we have reached the highest point of the Kölner Weg. Shortly thereafter, we reach a fork, turn left, and walk towards a forest. Before reaching the forest, we encounter a small juniper heath.

The path now runs again through the forest, and we finally come to a junction with the Neue Wilhelms-Hütte. To the left, it is only 1 kilometer to Bad Marienberg. Anyone who also wants to see the Kleinen Wolfstein must turn right here. The Kölner Weg descends significantly and leads us straight ahead to a wildlife park. If desired, the wildlife park can be explored on a 2.5-kilometer circular route. A falconry can also be visited. However, we continue on the Kölner Weg until we reach the forest café restaurant.

Then we turn left and pass the Hedwig tower. From here, there is a magnificent view of Bad Marienberg and large parts of the Westerwald. In the distance, the Feldberg in the Taunus, the Montabaur height, and the Siebengebirge greet us. Not far from the tower, a path leads left to the wildlife park hotel. The hotel offers a revolving restaurant with a beautiful view of Bad Marienberg.

Shortly before the hotel, however, the Kölner Weg turns right, runs briefly through meadowland, crosses a street, and passes a parking lot. Immediately afterwards, a short circular trail around the Basalt Park begins.

We continue on the Kölner Weg and simultaneously along a geological nature trail. The rocks frequently found in the Westerwald are described in an illustrative way. Our path then descends toward the basalt lake, which we can glimpse behind trees on the left. Finally, the K turns left and goes directly toward the basalt lake. Here we meet again a part of the circular trail around the Basalt Park. On the opposite shore of the lake, a steep wall rises impressively.

We continue hiking along the lake until we reach a diesel locomotive and a shunting locomotive. An information building in a decommissioned engine house can also be visited here. We leave the Basalt Park by walking up to the Bismarckstraße at the red diesel locomotive, following the K to the left onto the street, and immediately turning left again. Next, we cross a parking lot and keep right. Shortly afterwards, we reach the Danziger Straße and soon cross the Berliner Straße. If we turn left here onto Berliner Straße, it leads to the Goethestraße and the Hotel Kristall. The Kölner Weg, however, continues on Danziger Straße to Rauscheidstraße, where we turn right and pass the Landhaus Kogge. Shortly after, we reach Bismarckstraße, where we turn left. If we go straight on, we quickly end up in the center of Bad Marienberg with its many shops and dining options (11.1 kilometers).

Safety instructions

If you believe certain path sections are impassable for you, you should bypass them. Especially in adverse weather conditions, natural paths may have muddy and slippery sections.

Especially in autumn, note that fallen leaves can conceal unevenness, roots, stones, or holes in the path. You have to expect such path impairments when hiking.

Although the path is very well marked all along, 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, practical clothing that protects against cold and wet or heat and sun.

Bring enough fluids. There are not dining options everywhere.

Please wear hiking boots appropriate for the path that provide sufficient support on slippery, steep, rocky, and uneven paths.

Hiking poles are advantageous!

Destination

Bad-Marienberg

Starting Point

Unnau-Korb. About 500 m from the station to the start