Druidensteig - Stage 3 from Herdorf-Sassenroth to Daaden

Description

On the third stage of the Druidensteig, you discover the natural beauties and geologically relevant points between the mining towns Herdorf and Daaden. The uniquely scenic Silver Lake is located on the Mahlscheid, where basalt was still mined until the 1970s. Other natural sights are the Hüllbuche in the Hüllwald near Daaden, considered one of the oldest trees in the region, as well as the basalt columns on the Hohenseelbachskopf. Those who have not yet gotten to know the Mining Museum of the Altenkirchen district at the beginning of the hike are strongly recommended to visit it in Herdorf-Sassenroth. Narrow forest paths lead you uphill on this hiking route where you can enjoy the view over the whole town of Herdorf. You reach your stage destination today by arriving in the town of Daaden, where many opportunities for refreshments are available. The center impresses with its Baroque church, some pretty half-timbered houses, and the local history museum.

Approach

Via state road L284 between Betzdorf and Herdorf you reach the district Herdorf-Sassenroth. The stage start is located in front of the Geo-Information Center Mining Museum of the Altenkirchen district Herdorf-Sassenroth. The access through the town is signposted with direction signs.

Public transport

Arrival by public transport

The Hellertal Railway connects the stop in Herdorf-Sassenroth (located directly on the Druidensteig) to the stations in Betzdorf and in the opposite direction via Herdorf to Haiger and Dillenburg.

Hellertal Railway timetable: www.dreilaenderbahn.de

In Hellerstraße in Herdorf-Sassenroth there is a bus stop for line 278. This is a school bus line with limited operating times.

www.vrminfo.de

Return to the stage start

In Daaden a 500 m long connecting path (yellow-black Druidensteig marking) leads to the train station. From there, the Hellertal Railway takes you first to Betzdorf and from there back to Herdorf-Sassenroth (daily; total travel time approx. 40 minutes).

Timetable info: www.dreilaenderbahn.de

Parking

Free parking directly at the District Mining Museum.

Navigation input: Schulstraße 13, 57562 Herdorf-Sassenroth

Directions

You lace up your hiking boots in front of the Geo-Info Center, the Mining Museum of the Altenkirchen district, which gives you an excellent insight into the mining history of the region. You will better understand all the important geo-points later on the hiking route after getting to know the museum more closely.

After starting the hike, you climb from Sassenroth over narrow natural paths to the so-called Kuckuckseiche and enjoy the wonderful panorama of the town of Herdorf, which you will pass through in small sections shortly afterward. You walk over a former embankment of a transport railway, which was initially used by horses until 1873 and later by locomotives, and ascend into the Sottersbachtal valley until you reach the site of the former San Fernando mine. Past the Josefshäuschen, a small chapel, you again enjoy the view of the mining town of Herdorf. Opposite you notice the huge grey sand heaps, which remind you of the Friedrichshütte, which once existed in Herdorf.

As you continue hiking, wide views open up, and then you reach the site of the former Wolf mine. A still existing relic from the mining era is the massive cable pulley of the headframe. Soon, with some stamina, you will have to overcome about 200 meters of elevation gain, reach the Blaue Halde, and take a break. Then the next stop is already ahead of you: the nature reserve of the so-called Mahlscheid (former basalt quarry). The further route is relatively flat, and you discover the course of a former braking railway from Hohenseelbachskopf down to a loading site, where you stay on the path for about 500 meters.

Over the Hohenseelbachskopf, another basalt quarry area, you start the slow descent down to Daaden. Along the way, you pass lovingly designed stations of a forest educational trail through the Hüllwald to the natural monument Hüllbuche. Earlier, a trade route led from Hachenburg through Daaden to Siegen. The descent continues into the town center of Daaden with the Baroque church and the local history museum. This is your today's stage destination of the Druidensteig.

Safety instructions

If you think that certain sections of the path are not passable for you, you should avoid them. Especially under adverse weather conditions, natural paths can become muddy and slippery.

In autumn especially, note that fallen leaves on the ground can hide uneven spots, roots, stones, or holes in the path. You must expect such path obstacles when hiking.

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

Equipment

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

Take enough fluids with you. There are not always places to stop for refreshments.

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

Tips

From a small viewing platform in the northeast, definitely catch a glimpse of the basalt quarry area, the so-called Mahlscheid.

Literature

A KOMPASS hiking map North including the Druidensteig is available via the Westerwald-Shop.

Destination

Local History Museum Daaden, Im Schützenhof 6, 57567 Daaden

Starting Point

Geo-Info Center Mining Museum Herdorf-Sassenroth, Schulstraße 13, 57562 Herdorf-Sassenroth