Kölner Weg Stage 05

Description

The route runs almost exclusively on forest paths and offers wonderful views. Several longer ascents must be overcome. The route is not suitable for wheelchair users or prams; the path section between Herchen and Herchen train station is not recommended for cyclists.

Along the way: Thingplatz and Kölner Kanonen, ridge trail between Herchen and Herchen train station, basalt crater Blauer Stein near Kuchhausen.

A particularly varied section of the Kölner Weg lies ahead of us.

Along the way: Thingplatz and Kölner Kanonen, ridge trail between Herchen and Herchen train station, basalt crater Blauer Stein near Kuchhausen

Approach

via A3 to Neuwied and further on the B256 to Schürdt and further on the L276/L147 to Leuscheid. Here onto the L312 to the start in Herchen.

Public transport

Starting point: RE9 (Aachen – Siegen) or S12 (Cologne – Au/Sieg) to Herchen train station and continue by VRS bus 579 (Hennef – Windeck-Rosbach) to the stop In der Au in Herchen; on Saturdays the bus runs only until midday, Sundays not at all; endpoint: good connections on weekdays with VRS call-collective-taxi (AST) 587 Windeck from the stop Leuscheid Kurhaus to Herchen train station.

Parking

Starting point: limited parking options in the center of Herchen (free of charge)

Endpoint: some parking spaces at Peso’s country inn and in Leuscheid (free of charge)

Directions

We begin our hike at the corner of Siegtalstraße and the street branching off to the right called In der Raubach in Herchen. Initially, we follow the ascending street until on the left side of the road the Kölner Weg, together with the local ridge trail, branches off to the left into the mountainside. The narrow path leads steeply upwards to the Thingplatz Herchen.

Then we continue to climb steeply and reach a fork where we choose the left path uphill. On narrow paths winding through the forest and along the hillside, the journey continues. Sure-footedness is absolutely necessary. Several times the path dips into a small ravine, only to lead uphill again in a sharp bend. We cross ravines, tiny streams over wooden bridges, and hike through a primeval forest, seemingly far from civilization. We should take our time for this picturesque section. Occasionally, the path swings back up to the ridge, and for a short time we glide past meadows and fields, reaching viewpoints from which we can look at the Sieg River and the Leuscheid rising on the opposite side of the Sieg. Finally, we enter a beech forest, the path descends downstream, and we pass the secondary school of Herchen. We walk downhill on an asphalt road and shortly encounter the L333.

If you want to take a break, turn right on Stromberger Straße and walk a few hundred meters further to the restaurant Leck(h)erchen, then return on the same path. Opposite the restaurant is Herchen train station. The Kölner Weg crosses the L333 and turns directly left onto the L312, passes under the railway bridge, and onto the road bridge over the Sieg. Ahead of us rise the forested slopes of the Leuscheid over the Sieg. The Kölner Weg has reached the area of the northern Westerwald. After the Sieg bridge, we immediately turn right onto the ascending street Zum Werferstein toward Werfen (3.7 kilometers).

The Kölner Weg soon leaves Werfen again by leading us right into Hohnsiefen street and letting us run into a forest. The wide hiking trail runs about 100 meters above the Sieg. Occasionally, the forest curtain opens on the right side, and you can see the Sieg and the Nutscheid on the opposite valley side. We are in the area of the Leuscheid, a wooded ridge that forms the state border between North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate and stretches between Hennef and Weyerbusch. The path winds high above the Sieg downstream, and we pass under a high-voltage power line. From here, we have a beautiful view of the small town of Stromberg with its oak grove on the opposite Sieg side as well as the Nutscheid. Our forest hiking trail still steadily climbs. We walk through a beech forest and shortly thereafter a newly reforested coniferous forest until we reach Schneppe, a district of Alsen (7.0 kilometers). Directly to the left at the roadside is the Hotel-Restaurant Waldschlösschen, which offers reasonably priced overnight accommodations.

At the height of the Hotel-Restaurant Waldschlösschen, we turn right and continue hiking in the forest, come out below the 335-meter-high Hüngenhardt into open terrain, and enjoy the wonderful view. Finally, we approach forest again, encounter a cross path on which we turn left, and the K directs us to the L147, connecting Weyerbusch with Leuscheid. We cross the country road and continue straight ahead toward Kuchhausen. But soon the Kölner Weg turns left again to lead us into another forest area. Again, a magnificent view opens up onto the Irsen valley and the distant Beulskopf with the Raiffeisen tower.

Here it is advisable to briefly leave the Kölner Weg and make a detour to the basalt crater Blauer Stein. We follow the Blauer Stein direction sign, walk a short distance straight ahead on the road toward Kuchhausen, but are soon led right by the Basaltkrater sign into a small wooded area. Passing Kuchhausen on the left, the path finally runs along the forest edge.

Continuously a magnificent view opens to the left. Soon we reach a shelter. The Blauer Stein sign sends us right into the forest. On a narrow path, we walk toward the basalt crater.

From the impressive basalt crater, we hike back to the point where the Kölner Weg branches off toward Leuscheid. If coming from the direction of the basalt crater, we must turn right onto the Kölner Weg.

One last time a wide view opens to the right toward Kuchhausen, then the forest takes us back; we pass a water reservoir and shortly thereafter a shelter. Finally, we reach the Kuchhausener Kirchweg and approach the first houses of Leuscheid. The Kuchhausener Kirchweg runs to the cross street Am Kurheim, on which we turn left. A few meters further we come to the Weyerbuscher Straße, the L147, and see Peso’s country inn on the other side of the street, inviting you to stop or stay overnight (10 kilometers without the detour). If we turn right onto Weyerbuscher Straße, we will shortly reach the town center of Leuscheid.

Safety instructions

If you believe that certain path sections are not passable for you, you should avoid them. Especially in adverse weather conditions, natural paths can have muddy and slippery sections.

In particular in autumn, you should be aware that leaves lying on the ground can conceal unevenness, roots, stones, or holes in the path. You must expect impairments of this kind when hiking.

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

Equipment

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

Bring enough fluids. There are not always opportunities to eat or drink along the way.

Please wear hiking shoes appropriate for the path, which also provide sufficient support on slippery, steep, rocky, and uneven trails.

Hiking poles are an advantage!

Destination

Leuscheid

Starting Point

Herchen