Seven Mountains - Hermit Valley

As a starting point, we have chosen the hiking parking lot at the entrance to Einsiedlertal, which is used for many hikes starting from Schmelztal, as this is where the ascent to Löwenburg begins. However, we walk uphill for a while, cross the L 144, and take the narrow forest path downhill to meet the downhill Rheinsteig at the next hiking parking lot. We follow it for a short distance, cross the road again, and leave the trail to ascend to Hohenhonnef. The path becomes a narrow forest path just before the ridge, which is difficult to find in heavy leaf fall, so we follow the running tracks uphill to the shelter. And the wide forest path on the ridge is hard to miss. From the shelter with the map location, we follow the main path to Löwenburger Hof. The ascent to the ruins of Löwenburg is definitely worthwhile, not only because of the breathtaking view, but also because of the castle's history, explained with the help of bronze plaques. And after the strenuous hike up to the ruins, Löwenburger Hof is ready for a rest stop. After the break, we take the paved main path to Margarethenhöhe, but leave the road after about 900 meters, turn right, and come to Wehrhütte, a central hiking hub in the Siebengebirge. Here we descend into Einsiedlertal and follow the main path back to the hiking parking lot. In the valley, there were ore mines, relics of an industrial history still visible today. The arch of the "Glückliche Elise" mine with remnants of a washing facility still protrudes from the marshy earth.