Boden - Ton Themed Paths - the White Gold of the Westerwald (blue route)

Description

The region of the southern Westerwald is literally a "land rich in stone" and therefore particularly suitable for establishing a themed hiking trail. "The white gold," as clay is also called, has sustainably shaped the landscape, economy, and people. The mills along the Ahrbach and the open-cast mines also play an important role.

Discover the white gold of the Westerwald on the Ton themed route. On the circular trail of the Ton themed path – blue route – it is very easy. The twelve-kilometer circular route starts at the Ahrbachhalle in Boden and leads over Ruppach-Goldhausen back to the starting point. Various display panels along the way explain geological, cultural-historical, and earth-scientific aspects of clay and basalt.

Approach

From Montabaur take the B255 and exit at Boden.

In Boden, turn right at the town entrance after the gas station, where the Ahrbachhalle is already signposted. From the first intersection, turn left and you arrive directly at the Ahrbachhalle.

Public transport

You can take bus line 116 from Montabaur city center or the central bus station at the ICE train station to Boden.

Parking

Directly in front of the Ahrbachhalle at Schulstraße 4 in

56412 Boden there are free parking spaces.

Directions

The blue themed route begins at the Ahrbachhalle in Boden and leads you over the street "An der Hofwiese", over the Ahrbach to the "Esther" pit. If you have already walked the red themed route, you can skip the detour to the "Esther" pit and instead follow the Schulstraße south after the start. (Please pay attention to detours in the Ahrbach meadows area due to construction work.)

A themed panel at the "Wiesenmühle" provides information about the history of the mill and informs about "ceramic tiles".

A sturdy wooden bridge takes you over the Ahrbach. At the water discoloration (clay minerals) you can see whether it has rained a lot in the last few days!

Shortly afterwards, a water ditch coming from the left crosses your path, which among other things disposes of the surface water from the "Stemmer" pit. At the crossroads with a rest bench, you turn right and shortly afterwards left onto a gravel path. You cross the road to Ruppach-Goldhausen and continue straight on a meadow path up to the "Weißen Berg".

Before the road slopes down again slightly, you can enjoy the wonderful view here! 100 m after a small dip, keep right and shortly afterwards you will reach the "Finkelkarstpark" of the municipality of Ruppach-Goldhausen. A themed panel provides information about the former clay extraction in the leisure park and the municipality. Terms such as comradeship, the tools Steche, Hou, the Spiss are explained. At the southern entrance of the leisure area at the municipal administration, an overview panel of the blue clay route themed path is also installed; so you can also start a small circular hike from here. A children's playground, football players, and an impressive pond with water lilies complete the picture with a loaded ore cart (fireclay). Very close to the park, a gastronomy offers the best from kitchen and cellar.

You leave the leisure area heading east, go down a few meters and back up again, passing by the "Glück auf" sports field. Then further past the Ahrbach school, across the schoolyard, and the bus stop, you now reach the roundabout, crossing the streets "Auf dem Flurzaun", "Am Rupberg", "In den Appelstücker", and then you go half-right to the forest. On the left, you follow the path to Dahlener Straße. When crossing the street, utmost caution is required because fast cars coming from Dahlen are only visible late!

After 20 m, follow the path to the viewpoint of the "Maria" pit. The photo of the pit on the small themed panel from 2019 is outdated – the landscape in and around the clay pits often changes very quickly! Clay extraction is currently suspended. The "Maria" pit is one of the oldest clay pits in the region and covers an area of about 45 ha with a depth of around 80 m. Thus, it is the deepest clay pit in the Westerwald.

Back at the street, turn left and follow the markings into the forest, past a groundwater level measuring point of the VG Montabaur. There is sometimes busy traffic on the truck road ahead! You stay to the right of the large tamped stones, cross the truck road at a right angle, and continue left of the stones to the viewpoint of the "Stemmer" pit. Next to the impressive pit, a table and bench invite you to rest. On a themed panel, among other things, is a photo of Mr. Theo Herz from Boden; his life's passion was clay!

You walk back 130 m and follow the sign to the left. At the forest edge, if necessary, follow the "detour" because the "Käferholz" still lies on a very beautiful section of the themed path here! You turn right and cross the street. The path leads us along the forest edge up to "Rupberg" and then left. From the solid path, you can see the "Molsberger Castle". Following the path, you reach another themed panel at the forest's end. Here, the "economic importance of clay mining in the Westerwald region" and "clay mining in the east of Ruppach-Goldhausen" are presented. You can also expect a beautiful panoramic view of Steinefrenz, Girod, and Nomborn, and on clear days even the Taunus.

After a few meters, walk right along the forest edge and quickly reach the "Four Motorways Viewpoint". A bench invites you to rest and explore the four motorway sections of the A3. The path continues along the southern slope of the mountain to the shelter, and right on the way you will find the next themed panel. The terms: potter, ceramics, salt glaze, and the "Kannenbäckerland" are explained on the panel alongside suitable photos.

You follow the tarmac path downhill and turn right at Zehnhäuser Weg towards Ruppach-Goldhausen. Well-kept orchard trees and information panels about fauna and flora inform you. Benjes hedge and an insect hotel also line the way.

You now pass the "Niedersachsen Nord" pit on Zehnhäuser Straße. The return is along Zehnhäuser Weg towards Ruppach-Goldhausen.

At the first fork in Ruppach-Goldhausen, follow the left signage. At the main street, you can refresh yourself at the fountain before using a narrow archway of the railway straight ahead. Watch for clearance!

You follow the path and then the Industriestraße straight ahead. At the end, go left until in front of the main road; beforehand you follow the path to the right. At the end, you cross the entrance to Ruppach-Goldhausen and hike after a small detour left/right along the signposted tarmac path to the railway line.

Past the transformer station on the left, you quickly reach the "Goldhäuser Mühle". A themed panel gives information about the mill, grazing of the surroundings with water buffalos and horses, and last but not least, photos and facts of the Ruppach-Goldhausen substation are shown here.

Then continue straight over the Ahrbach bridge along the forest edge, go under the Limburg-Siershahn railway line, take the slight incline, and follow the second path to the right at the top, to the Boden barbecue hut at the edge of the forest.

An ideal place to rest with a wonderful view! Tip: If you go 30 m up to the left in front of the barbecue hut and sit down on the bench, your field of view includes not only Boden but also a great section of the "Southern Westerwald"! The elevation behind you is called "Kneidelberg" and is 292 m above sea level.

Downhill and always straight ahead (1.3 km), it goes past three birch trees with two resting benches of different heights, a wayside shrine in honor of the Virgin Mary, and you reach the parking lot at the Ahrbachhalle via Brinkenstraße, where your hike ends.

Safety instructions

Since clay is still mined from various pits today, it is important that you only move on the designated routes. Please keep sufficient distance from the steep edges of the clay pits (risk of falling and injury) and watch out for transport vehicles that might cross your path.

Equipment

It is best to wear sturdy footwear and weather-appropriate, functional clothing to protect you from cold and moisture or heat and sun.

Tips

After learning so much about the history, extraction, and processing of Westerwald clay, you are certainly hungry and thirsty. The traditional establishment "Zur Tante Anna" on the main street in Boden awaits you with regional typical dishes and cold drinks.

Destination

Ahrbachhalle Boden, Schulstraße 4 in 56412 Boden

Starting Point

Ahrbachhalle Boden, Schulstraße 4 in 56412 Boden