Erlebnisweg Sieg | Hexenweg | Friesenhagen

Description

The Wildenburger Land with the parish of Friesenhagen was a stronghold of witch hunts several hundred years ago. Sights along the way such as the Red Chapel or Wildenburg are witnesses of this dark time. The varied path leads over the heights of the Wildenburger Land, through dense forests, and the idyllic village of Friesenhagen with its charming half-timbered houses.

Approach

A4, exit 27 Eckenhagen, to Friesenhagen

Public transport

Line 265 (VRM) (Freudenberg – Friesenhagen – Wissen), stop Abzw. Schloss Crottorf (from here about 975 m walk to the starting point at Crottorf Castle)

Line 265 (VRM) (Freudenberg – Friesenhagen – Wissen), stop Festplatz Friesenhagen; and direct entry to the Hexenweg from the corner of Hauptstraße/Klosterstraße

Current departure times Line 265

Parking

Parking lots at the sports field Friesenhagen (Sankt-Anna-Weg and at the end of Klosterstraße, 51598 Friesenhagen)

Important note: The parking lot at the Wildenburger Hof country inn is no longer available for hikers!

Directions

From the parking lots at the sports field in Friesenhagen, the red and white Erlebnisweg marking of the Hexenweg initially leads you down Klosterstraße to the Baroque church St. Sebastianus. Then continue through the village and a short stretch along the main road. A branch leads you past the Stations of the Cross through the forest to the Cross Chapel on Schnabelberg. Back on the Hexenweg, follow a beautiful path along the listed water castle Crottorf. It is privately owned and is considered one of the most beautiful and best-preserved water castles in the Rhineland. Before you cross the Wildenburger Bach, a literary surprise awaits you: in a cave here, the American concept artist Jenny Holzer has immortalized herself with a poem. You continue along the water ditch, cross the street, pass the Wildenburger Hof country inn, and from here a steep climb into the forests around Friesenhagen. After a short ascent, a wide, well-passable forest path opens up. An asphalt road leads you over the Nadringer Bach, then a rustic field path winds along the forest edge up to the Rollsberg. At the Rochus chapel, the wide view invites you to rest. With a view of Wildenburg, you go down a quiet little street into the valley. Crossing the Wildenburger Bach, you reach Ziegenschlade on a gently sloping forest path. Now it's only a stone's throw up to Blumenberg and the Red Chapel, which was built around 1690 in memory of the Wildenburg witch trials. The over 400-year-old "witch linden tree" was destroyed in 2021 by a storm. Over a meadow path of the so-called Blumenberg, you first reach the street "Zur Linde" and then directly back to your starting point at the sports field.

Safety instructions

In the winter months, wood logging work may affect the quality of some trail sections. If you believe certain sections are not passable for you, you should avoid them. Especially in bad weather conditions, natural paths can be muddy and slippery. In autumn, take care as fallen leaves may conceal unevenness, roots, stones, or holes in the path. You should expect such trail impairments when hiking. Although the trail is very well marked throughout, it is always advisable for safety reasons to carry a suitable hiking map.

Equipment

Sturdy footwear and weather-appropriate clothing

Tips

Installation by concept artist Jenny Holzer in a cave at the Wildenburger Bach near Crottorf Castle.

Destination

Parking lots at the sports field Friesenhagen (Sankt-Anna-Weg and at the end of Klosterstraße, 51598 Friesenhagen)

Starting Point

Parking lots at the sports field Friesenhagen (Sankt-Anna-Weg and at the end of Klosterstraße, 51598 Friesenhagen)