Eco Pfad Bergbau Holzhausen Reinhardswald

In the area around Holzhausen (Immenhausen) in the Reinhardswald forest, lignite was mined underground for around 400 years until 1970. It gave people work and provided the coveted fuel for industry, trade and households. The general shortage of wood, combined with the additional need for fuel for the iron and glassworks that were being built in the region, stimulated coal mining in the 16th/17th century. Further impetus came from industrialization around 1860/70 - mainly from the neighbouring city of Kassel.
The Eco Trail Mining Holzhausen Reinhardswald leads in three sections to the former colliery sites at Gahrenberg, Kleeberg and Osterberg.
The paths lead through the charming landscape of the southern Reinhardswald, are easy to master and only have slight inclines.
Along the way, boards provide information about the special features of the mines and draw attention to the traces that mining has left behind in this region.
Gahrenberg loop: approx. 8.4 km long; starting point: "Roter Stock" hiking parking lot
Kleeberg loop: approx. 4 km long; starting point at the Holzhausen community center
Osterberg loop: approx. 4.8 km; starting point at the Holzhausen community center