Grubenweg Schacht III

A circular hiking trail rich in history that connects the historic Schacht III mining site in Höchen with the parent mine in Frankenholz. The approx. 6.2 km long trail leads from Shaft III via the Münchwieser cemetery and the Taubenkopf to Frankenholz to the former site of the mine and back again through the picturesque Buchwald forest.

The Shaft III mining trail from Frankenholz to Höchen is a hiking trail rich in history that connects the two northernmost villages in the Saarpfalz district and thus establishes a link between the historic Shaft III mining site in Höchen and the mother mine in Frankenholz. Shortly after the start of the tour at the Frankenholz community center, the trail leads past the grave of August Ferdinand Culmann, the founder of the Frankenholz mine, and then leaves the village in the direction of Höchen through the beautiful Buchwald forest. Once you arrive in Höchen, you are at the foot of the Schacht III spoil tip, which is the highest coal tip in Germany. Since 2020, efforts have been underway to open up the slag heap to tourists by means of a hiking trail in order to preserve the memory of the mining history of the Höcherberg region by means of the slag heap as the last remaining relic of the Schacht III mine and also to make the excellent view accessible to the public due to its exposed location. The trail then briefly greets the district of Neunkirchen before passing the Münchwies cemetery and heading over the Frankenholzer Taubenkopf to the former main site of the mine. There you should take a look at the impressive compressor hall, which is the last relic of the Frankenholz mining facility, about 100 meters off the hiking trail. The trail then leads past the Grubenwäldchen forest back to the community center, where you can reward yourself with a refreshment stop at the end.