Siebengebirge - Einsiedlertal

We have chosen the hiking parking lot at the entrance to Einsiedlertal as our starting point, which is used for many hikes out of Schmelztal, as this is where the ascent to Löwenburg Castle begins. However, we walk uphill a little, cross the L 144 and take the narrow forest path downhill to meet the downhill Rheinsteig trail at the next parking lot. We follow this for a short distance, cross the road again and leave the path to ascend to Hohenhonnef. Shortly before the ridge, the path becomes a narrow forest path, which is difficult to find when the leaves are falling and we follow the footprints uphill to the refuge. And you can't miss the wide forest path on the ridge. From the hut with the map location, we follow the main path to Löwenburger Hof.  The ascent to the Löwenburg ruins is definitely worthwhile, not only because of the breathtaking view, but also because of the castle's history, which is explained with the help of bronze plaques. And after the strenuous hike up to the ruins, the Löwenburger Hof is the perfect place to stop for a bite to eat. After the rest stop, we take the paved main path to Margarethenhöhe, but leave the road after approx. 900 meters, turn right and come to the Wehrhütte, a central hiking hub in the Siebengebirge. Here we descend into the Einsiedlertal valley and follow the main path back to the hikers' parking lot. There were ore mines in the valley, the relics of whose industrial history can still be seen. The archway of the “Glückliche Elise” mine with the remains of a washing plant still protrudes from the marshy ground.