On miners’ paths

Passing the Wielandshof farm, you continue to the edge of the forest with open views. The first highlight, the Grube Ratzenscheid pit, already awaits you after 750 m. The route continues across the pit site to the forest, and uphill to the sports field, from where the path takes you to the Kettner quarry, which is still in use. You will pass through wonderful mixed forest, past old, often hidden mine entrances. After 6.8 km in all, you reach the Grube Marie pit in a clearing. A few meters behind it, turn left and continue uphill on an old forest path to the next wide track, which runs to the right to the B 54 road. Then, you join the Rothaarsteig trail, which offers a wonderful view onto the hills of the Siegerland region. After around 300 m, you leave the Rothaarsteig and go downhill towards the Briedoffelsloch, an old mine entrance. Following soft forest paths along the Weißbach stream, you pass the Weißquelle spring up to the L 904 road, which is easy to cross. After 11.8 km in total, you pass the Goldschmiedsborn drinking fountain. Now, you leave the forest at the hikers’ car park next to the large nature reserve, the Grube Neue Hoffnung. Continuing alongside a meadow towards Heckebachtal valley, you reach the hidden entrance to the Fortuna pit. You then leave the valley and reach the starting point.

Radwander- und Freizeitkarte Siegerland-Wittgenstein mit Begleitheft, 1:50.000, ISBN 3-87073-280-3, 7,95 €.

Wanderkarte Südliches Siegerland, 1:25.000, 7,95 €

Parking at the B54

 

Restaurants/accommodation: 600 m away from the route, Gästehaus Wilgersdorf.

The Museum Wilnsdorf is worth a visit.