Steinhauerpfad (Stonecutter's Path) in Lindlar (Foray #8) – Bergisches Land Nature Park

On the trail in the Bergisches Wanderland: Excursion No. 8 – Stonemasons' Trail in Lindlar 390 million years ago, when the Bergisches Land region still lay on the coast of a tropical sea, sand deposits and high pressure formed stones in Lindlar that made this place famous throughout the world over the past centuries. Lindlar greywacke is still mined today on Brungerst Mountain. The stone can be found as floor tiles in Dubai as well as in the showroom of Frankfurt Airport. On the 6.2-kilometer circular trail, hikers learn not only about the formation of Lindlar greywacke, but also about the lives of stonemasons, the dangers of working in the quarry, and the guild in which the workers formed a community from an early stage. This approximately 6.2-kilometer loop leads through the town as well as along forest paths and narrow trails. The starting point of the hike is centrally located in Lindlar on the market square and initially leads through the public church grounds of St. Severin. Visitors pass numerous sights. At Lindlar's market square, the starting point of the circular trail, is the Old Amtshaus (Old District Court), dating from 1668, where peace negotiations between France and Austria were held in 1795. A few steps further is Haus Biesenbach, one of Lindlar's oldest buildings, having served as a parish office, bakery, and post office. A gentle climb leads to the Evangelical Jubilate Church, built in 1954. A little further on is the Old District Court, built in 1902, which served as a police station and prison until 1974. A side path leads to the edge of the mine's immediate area, where an information board with an audio station vividly describes the former working conditions in the open-cast mine. The trail then leads through a forest up the hill to a viewpoint above the open-cast mine. From the viewpoint, you have a magnificent view of an active part of the BGS-Bergische Grauwacke Steinbruch Betriebsgesellschaft mbH. After this glimpse into the current open-cast mine, the trail leads along winding paths through the former, historic mining area. Along the way, you'll encounter the reconstructed foundations of a stonemason's house, which once stood close to the mining operations until the beginning of the 20th century. In conjunction with the information panels, you can immerse yourself in the history and the way of life and work of those days, where life was lived under the most simple conditions, and the work was also difficult and accomplished with simple means. Lindlar is a stopover on the "Bergisches Panoramasteig" (Bergisch Panorama Trail).

A very nice tour, actually, scenically and culturally, including the urban part of Lindlar. One star deducted because of the detour away from the hiking trails, the blackberry area is not accessible 😉 It's better to stick to the very good trail markings!

Wisdom of the day: when it rains, at least it's not dusty.

Lindlar is extremely rich, but not because of the money. The quarries, in which the Lindlar greywacke has been mined for centuries, are rich in stones. The "Steinhauerpfad" leads in the footsteps of the people who have been mining and processing the stone for centuries, from the center of Lindlar up to the quarries. On the almost 6 km long circular route you not only learn a lot about the origin of the Lindlarer Grauwacke, but also about the life of the stone cutters, the dangers of working in the quarry and the guild in which the workers formed a strong community from an early age united. If you keep your eyes open, you will find beautiful petrified fossils along the way, an interesting discovery for the children. The middle part of the path is not suitable for prams and sturdy shoes make sense.

Lindlar again, Steinhauerpfad again, and finally, Klückseis again! 🍦 Highly recommended ☺️

The spice lies in brevity, as the Steinhauer path proves impressively. Just 6 km long and yet packed with everything you need. Interesting facts on the boards, attractive paths, historical places, beautiful views and all of this experienced in just under 90 minutes. Shortly before it could almost get boring at the end, the Bergisch foray is already over. If you like, have fun with it.

Theme: Life, Suffering and Monument of the Stonecutters Lindlar is extremely rich, even if the people here have never earned more than anywhere else. However, its quarries are rich in stones, in which the Lindlar greywacke has been mined for centuries. Today it is in demand worldwide as a building material. The "Steinhauerpfad" follows in the footsteps of the people who have been extracting and processing the stone for centuries, from the center of Lindlar up to the quarries on the Brungerst. More info 👇 https://www.bergisches-wanderland.de/bergische-streifzuege/alle-streifzuege/8-steinhauerpfad-lindlar-62-km

A wonderful trail, especially the part through the forest, but you need mud-resistant, sturdy shoes! Start and finish at Lindlar market square.