Höcherberg Weg

A wonderfully shady and idyllic tour with two streams on the Höcherberg in Bexbach. Hiking and mining enthusiasts' hearts beat faster here, as various mining relics in the middle of the beech forest make for an exciting hike into the contemporary history of mining in Höchen.

The Höcherberg trail starts at the Höcherberg tower and runs along the Kohlweg down to the "Schipp", then past the loading wall and the north field to reach the familiar 518 m altitude again. The circular trail is easy to hike despite the incline and leads past the Höcherberghaus inn for refreshments. In addition to nature, the stories and relics of the former mining industry are of course the dominant theme of the signposted tour, which leads along forest and field paths and briefly through the village of Höchen. In addition to the delights that nature has to offer, the tour is not short of historical attractions. Hikers learn a lot about the "Alte Jägerhaus Nordfeld" as well as the "Stollenmundloch", the "Wilhelmine" and "Fortuna" mines and the imposing "Verlademauer".

The remains of the "Wilhelmine" and "Fortuna" mines can still be seen today between the tall trees. Large manor houses were built in the middle of the forest next to what was then the largest headframe in the Saar mining district and the two pits. Not much is left of them, but some garden plants have survived and cover the ground between the trees.

The tunnel mouth, from which water with a very high iron content flows and thus turns the ground red, is a reminder of a special history of mining at the time. A tragic accident occurred here after the mine was closed. Five young people between the ages of 11 and 17 tried to get into the tunnel at the tunnel mouth. They lit matches and caused a huge explosion. The tunnel collapsed over a length of 350 meters, killing four of the five young people.After the loading wall, the Höcherberg trail leads along the Glan for a long stretch before continuing briefly through the village past the sports field back to the Höcherberg tower. If you want to go up the tower, you can do so on Sundays and public holidays from morning to evening, when the tower is always open. During the week, the key can be collected from the kiosk at the inn to access the tower.