E3 Valleys and Heights

In the meadows of the Dhünn near Odenthal-Schöllerhof, the approximately 13 km long circular trail "E3 Valleys and Heights" begins through the Eifgenbachtal, over the heights of the Bergisches Land to the Große Dhünn Dam and along the Dhünn back to the starting point. At the beginning, the moist ground of the cool stream valley attracts with its impressive nature and many sights; the heights offer spectacular panoramic views and the Dhünn valley with its thousand-year history awaits.
From the Schöllerhof hiking parking lot, the route initially follows the L101 north for 150 m, before crossing to the other side of the road and leading through the meadow to the riverbed. After reaching the other bank of the Eifgen, turning sharply right, you will hike along the course of the stream and the accompanying Eifgenbach trail for a total of 4.5 km of its approximately 20 km long journey from the source east of Wermelskirchen to its confluence with the Dhünn. After one kilometer, to the left above the path lies the Eifgenburg, a former refuge and defensive castle from the 11th/12th century. Moats and ramparts dominate the plateau on the spur. Only the trained eye recognizes the remains of a ring wall fortification dating back to probably the early Middle Ages made of earth and wood. At the level of the former Bökershammer, whose overgrown foundations, pond, and ditch systems testify to an important site of Bergisch iron processing in the 17th and 18th centuries, you cross the stream once again. After 1 km, having previously crossed the natural "channel" over a new bridge, an old weir points to the history of the "smallest dam", which with a volume of 12,000 m³ supplied the population of Burscheid with drinking water until the 1960s. You follow the Eifgen on the left, then on the right bank before the path leaves it to the right at a crossroads after 1 km and steadily leads uphill to Limmringhausen. Tip: Those who wish can take a 500 m detour to Markusmühle beforehand. Once at the top, turn sharply left and after 500 m of asphalt, cross the L101 to reach the hamlet of Bremen. From here, the path ascends through meadows and forests into the water-rich valley of the Linnefe for the habitat of the low mountain stream - even the salmon has learned to appreciate it again! You follow the picturesque course to the left into the meadow and then uphill to Lindscheid. After about 1 km, the effort is rewarded with unique views of the Große Dhünn Dam, its massive dam, and the surrounding landscape. Tip: A detour to the dam of the reservoir is a must!
The path leads through switchbacks into the valley of the Dhünn, where with the Loosenau, a former gunpowder mill, and the future research site ":aqualon", the entry into the lovely Dhünntal begins. The path now follows the course of the Dhünn, which is lined with alder-ash forests and later with floodplain and marsh forests. At an archway, you encounter an old acquaintance - here the Linnefe merges into the Dhünn and supports it in its further course. Downstream, after 900 m on the right, the baroque complex of Maria in der Aue appears. Formerly known as "Schloss Haniel," today's conference hotel has had a turbulent history. Here you have the opportunity to recharge; otherwise, throughout centuries, it was the center of explosive powder production. The relics of several black powder production facilities can be seen along the banks of the Dhünn. The path leads back to the Schöllerhof along its banks.