Rötelbach Valley

Here you can experience original and wild nature up close. A great path winds along the Rötelbach. Refreshingly cool in summer!

When planning your trip, be sure to include the small paths that cross the Rötelbachtal!

History of the steps and the stone crossing over the Rötelbach:
The steps above the path were made by the owner's ancestors (grandfather and great-grandfather) around 1900 with hard, physical effort. The path was mainly used by the residents of Sommehardt and Lützenhardt to get to the market or to work in Calw. Thanks to these steps, they could now walk through the forest in an orderly and safe manner.
The part of the property below the path was meadow/pasture at that time. So that the grass was not trampled on, the path and the small bridge with the two large, elongated stone blocks were laid over the Rötelbach.

The further steps also served to ensure that passers-by stayed on the path and did not take brushwood/firewood with them, which was used in almost every household at the time.

During this time, the visible stream wall was also erected so that the stream could not damage the meadow during high water.

Below the few steps to the path, a moat ran along the path.

This ditch began some 100 meters above the Rötelbach.
In order not to divert too much water from the creek to water the meadow, the ditch was used according to a fixed order using a scraper.
(Source: information board)