Kirchen (Sieg): Castle hiking trail - around the Freusburg

Description

To the right of Sieg, past the important cobalt mine "Am Alexander" (18th century), you make your way to medieval Freusburg. Enjoy the unique views from the Alexanderhöhe (most beautiful view of churches), from the Friedenskreuz to the Asdorftal and Brühlkopf to the Siegtal - you always have the old walls of Freusburg in view and approach it. Use the path to the castle gate and let the Freusburg in a fantastic location far above the Sieg have an effect on you and your very own knightly adventure will come to life!

The castle hiking trail is managed by the hiking friends "Siegperle" Kirchen (Sieg) e. V. (Member of the German People's Sports Association). Hikers who also want to receive an official rating for the German People’s Sports Badge can buy their starting tickets directly in the “Schneiders Bäckerei” cafe, Bahnhofstraße 15, Kirchen, next to the station building for €3.00 and will also receive their rating stamp there after they have completed the hike .

Brief description

The medieval Freusburg towers over the Sieg valley - a circular route with a guaranteed view of the Sieg and Asdorf valleys, the town center of Kirchen and the castle (today a youth hostel).

Approach

The approach by car is via the federal road B 62 between Siegen and Kirchen. Drive into Bahnhofstrasse.

Public transport

By train (RE9 - Rhein-Sieg-Express) or bus to the Kirchen (Sieg) train station.

Parking

Large free PR car park in Bahnhofstrasse behind Netto-Markt (Bahnhofstrasse 21) directly opposite the Kirchen train station.

Directions

You start directly at Kirchen railway station (Restaurant Casa/Cafe Schneider's bakery) and follow the brown markings with the logo of the Castle Trail. First you walk parallel to the Ruhr-Sieg cycle path (more information at www.ruhr-sieg-radweg.de) along a former railway line, with a view of the river Sieg in the nature region from the bridge, and then turn right down into a small park. As you continue, the Sieg accompanies you on the left and you reach the mouth of the former, important cobalt mine "Am Alexander" (18th century). A small climb leads you to the Alexanderhöhe (258 m) with a bench worth seeing and the most beautiful panoramic view of the centre of the town of Kirchen with its two prominent churches.

You now leave the so-called Molzberg behind you, pass above the Kirchen district of "Riegel" and head downhill along a narrow, short path towards the Wehbach. Cross the Asdorfbach stream and walk through the small residential area of "Hof Niederasdorf", after which your hiking path winds up to the next viewpoint, the nine-metre-high Friedenskreuz (249 m) with a view of Wehbach and the Asdorf valley. Take a short break at the beautiful, shady spot before your hiking tour continues along enchanted paths to the Brühlkopf (349 m).

On the panoramic path between the Brühlkopf and Freusburg as well as below the farm "Auf der Hub", your gaze wanders again and again into the beautiful Sieg Valley and you also get some interesting views of the castle itself. After a small loop around the site of the famous former Wilhelmine mine, which you cannot really see with the naked eye, you reach the first houses of Freusburg. Pass a public playground and a sports and multifunctional field on the right as you approach the old walls of Freusburg Castle.

Before you reach the moat, turn left (please do not descend into the moat!) and pass a car park on the right. You have now reached the highlight of today's hike, the medieval Freusburg (now a youth hostel). At this point, you should definitely turn right from the hiking trail to the castle gate to take a closer look at the castle complex including the inner courtyard (outside visits are possible, provided that certain areas are not closed due to groups). Take in the wonderful view of the Siegtal valley and you will soon realise that it is not only young people who like to spend their holidays here. The youth hostel is the perfect place to stay and the ideal location for excursions and hikes in the region. Further information can be found at www.freusburg.jugendherberge.de. On your way back to the hiking trail, you will discover the "Cafe auf der Burg" in Burgstraße 19. If you would like to stop here, we recommend that you call 02741/931583 in advance (groups are also welcome to stop here).

You continue your hike past the café at the castle and through a gate of the former castle wall, where you follow Burgstraße down to the Otto Pfeiffer Museum/village fountain and on to the Freusburg Evangelic Chapel. You will then get to know the foothills of the huge Giebelwald forest before arriving at the bottom of the Siegtal valley. Via the Freusburgermühle mill and through the Siegauen meadows, you will return to your starting point, Kirchen railway station. Here you can fortify yourself with delicious food and cool drinks, coffee and cake as well as ice cream - the restaurants at and around the station look forward to your visit and will be happy to serve you!

Safety instructions

If you are of the opinion that certain sections of the path are not accessible to you, then you should bypass them. Especially in adverse weather conditions, muddy and slippery passages can occur on natural paths.

In autumn in particular, it is also important to note that the leaves lying on the ground can cover bumps, roots, stones or holes in the path. You have to reckon with path impairments of this kind when you go on a hike.

Although the path is very well marked throughout, you should always have a suitable hiking map with you for safety reasons.

Equipment

Wear sturdy shoes and weather-appropriate, functional clothing that protects you from cold and wet or heat and sun.

Take enough liquid with you. Refreshments are not available everywhere.

Please put on appropriate hiking shoes for the path, which will give you sufficient support even on slippery and steep or rocky and uneven paths.

Tips

De Alexanderhöhe (260 m boven zeeniveau) met een mooie wandelbank biedt het mooiste panoramische uitzicht over de stad Kirchen (Sieg) - om van te genieten!

Literature

Topographic map 1: 25: 000, hiking in the northern Westerwald, sheet 3, State Office for Surveying and Geospatial Information (LVermGeo)

Destination

Kirchen train station, Bahnhofstrasse 15, 57548 Kirchen (Sieg)

Starting Point

Kirchen train station, Bahnhofstrasse 15, 57548 Kirchen (Sieg)