Οι καλύτερες οικογενειακές πεζοπορίες Hardt

Eighty years after the end of the Second World War, which brought suffering and misery to so many countries in Europe, German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Italian President Sergio Mattarella jointly commemorated the victims in Berlin on the occasion of the National Day of Mourning: “Today we remember the victims of violence and war, the children, women, and men of all nations. We remember the soldiers who died in the World Wars, the people who lost their lives through acts of war or afterwards in captivity, as displaced persons, and as refugees. We remember (…). We mourn with all who grieve for the dead and share their pain. But our lives are marked by the hope for reconciliation among people and nations, and our responsibility is for peace among people at home and throughout the world.” (F.-W. Steinmeier, November 16, 2025)

On hot, sunny days, this hollow path, carved into the soft loess soil by the growth of trees on both sides, is a very welcome, shady respite from the open fields. Following the ascent, the hiker reaches the beautiful, half-timbered St. Rochus Chapel.

Caution! The cave is currently closed due to rockfall.

<< Blücher Mine in the Hardt Nature Reserve >> "... Historical Development Industrial mining began here when the Blücher mining area was claimed on July 28, 1847. Advances in the zinc industry at that time led to a veritable zinc rush in the Bensberg ore district, in which Belgian businessmen played a significant role. The Blücher Mine was officially awarded to Charles Détilleux, a Belgian entrepreneur living in Paris, on June 28, 1850. At the same time, he was awarded the Napoleon Mine in the western part of the deposit. The mines, named after the Waterloo opponents, were managed jointly from the outset. They received permission to establish an associated ore processing plant in March 1855. All rights and facilities were transferred in 1857 to the Rheinischer Bergwerks-Aktienverein Saturn, which was founded in Cologne in the same year by predominantly Belgian shareholders. In the first years of operation, zinc ore was predominantly extracted from the older, pre-industrial dumps. The previously worthless zinc ore had simply been dumped by the "old men." For example, in 1854, approximately 3,800 quintals of zinc ore concentrate were extracted compared to only 13 quintals of lead ore concentrate. In the following years, this ratio normalized until it reached approximately 1 to 7 in 1862, thus adjusting to the geological conditions of the deposit. The underground mining operations also initially achieved good results, particularly at the 40- and 70-meter levels. In 1861, the machine shaft was modernized with a new steam boiler. The processing plant was expanded to include new crushing and rolling mills, as well as setting machines, and relocated upslope. Neighboring mining areas were acquired to enable permanent operation. In November 1862, the Katzbach and Wahlstatt mines were integrated. For a short time, the Blücher mine became one of the most profitable mines in the region, especially for the Saturn company. The number of employees rose to almost 280. Zinc production, in particular, was of great importance and was surpassed at the time only by the Lüderich mine. In 1869, other neighboring companies were incorporated, including Galvani, Madonna, and Norma. The "Consolidated Blücher Mine" now comprised 13 mining areas, extending across almost the entire Hardt forest area. THE FOLLOWING HISTORY AND FURTHER INFORMATION: https://www.kuladig.de/Objektansicht/KLD-267703

Lots of narrow, winding footpaths where no car has ever driven. This is the kind of thing I go to *nature* for. Hurry, the nature conservation authorities haven't closed them yet.

From the bench by the Lerbach stream, you can look out into an idyllic wetland. Supposedly, "special species" live there. But when asked, the authorities declined to reveal which ones exactly. Is this even true? The neighboring sand piles, embankments, and embankments are very popular with children for playing. This is permitted because the mine site—unlike the surrounding Hardt Nature Reserve—is exempt from nature conservation. https://nsg.naturschutzinformationen.nrw.de/nsg/de/fachinfo/gebiete/gesamt/GL-066

A beautiful hiking area 🥾🍀🤩

A detour into history, French War.