Weyerbusch - Ecology and Mill History in the Mehrbach Valley (barrier-free)

Description

The barrier-free cycling and hiking trail "W 4 North" (9.4 km) and "W 4 South" (12.4 km) inform me about the eventful mill history and ecology of the upper Mehrbach valley and explain the panoramic views visible on this route. All information, pictures, and audio files can be found on the 19 information boards via QR code. Carrying a smartphone is therefore required here to learn more about the region and the wonderful views.
The target groups include hikers, cyclists, and e-bikers as well as people exploring nature with a robust electric wheelchair or those who are visually impaired. It is only signposted in one direction so that gravel paths appear only downhill. The route was previously tested with an all-terrain wheelchair with an auxiliary motor, and minor obstacles were cleared. At the most beautiful spots, seating areas invite me to take a short break repeatedly.

Deviating from the main path, parallel routes on less firmly surfaced paths are marked for pedestrians in some places.

Approach

The starting point in Weyerbusch is located directly on the B8.
Weyerbusch can be reached from the Cologne/Bonn direction via the A 560 (junction from the A3), which leads directly into the B 8.

Public transport

You can reach Altenkirchen by Regionalbahn RB 90 and from there take bus line 250 to Weyerbusch, getting off at the "Weyerbusch Sonnenhof" stop, which is just a few minutes from the starting point.

Exact connection times can be found at: www.vrminfo.de

Parking

Parking at Hotel Restaurant Sonnenhof, Kölner Str. 33, 57635 Weyerbusch

Directions

From the starting point in Weyerbusch, the W4 North section begins either on paved or natural paths for a short stretch through the town. Passing wastelands and a wonderful viewpoint, it goes down into the Mehrbach valley to the site of the former Werkhäuser Mill. Soon after, I reach the "Path of the Senses" in Werkhausen and learn more about the Leuscheider wolf pack and the characteristics of middle mountain streams, which can be found here in great numbers. Station 9 provides information about the former mill in Hasselbach before I reach the starting point again and set off on the 12 km long southern section after a lunch break.

Passing the old town hall, I reach a great view of the Upper Westerwald just beyond the town. Shortly after, I get a view of the Mehrbach valley and the Asbacher Land beyond it.
I get to know a gorge valley near Rettersen and the swamp forest directly by the Mehrbach. In Kraam, a short side path leads me to the still preserved old Kraamer Mill with its mill pond and small millrace. The former mill in Forstmehren is also shown, and via QR codes, I can view many pieces of information as well as old pictures of both locations.

It goes uphill to the Asberg with its great viewpoint. Here, the long-distance view marking table shows me the places in the distance, but the view is also explained to me via QR codes, even if the weather should limit visibility. The path leads me along the Hilkhäuser Bach through an old hollow way back to Weyerbusch. There I take a look at the Raiffeisen monument, the old bakehouse, and the former Raiffeisen house, which Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen used as a residential and council room from 1845 to 1948. The old town hall appears again, and I have reached my destination point again.

Safety instructions

The Federal Road 8 is crossed at two clear points. In the area of these sections, there is a speed limit of 50 km/h. In the Heuberg district, the route runs for about 100 m on the state road 276, but this section is also visible from a distance and limited to 50 km/h for cars.
In the W4 North section, a changed route guidance has applied since mid-May 2022.

Equipment

Carrying a smartphone is necessary to access the information at the 19 station points.

Tips

At the start and end points of the two sections, you can take a lunch break in Weyerbusch, for example, in the barrier-free Sonnenhof restaurant.

Destination

Hotel Restaurant Sonnenhof, Kölner Str. 33, 57635 Weyerbusch

Starting Point

Hotel Restaurant Sonnenhof, Kölner Str. 33, 57635 Weyerbusch