Kannenbäckerland: In the footsteps of the Romans on the Hillscheider Limespfad

Description

On the circular route, you feel a bit like a Roman soldier walking his territory. From lookout tower WP 1/68 you walk partly along the original course of the Limes boundary up to the small fort. Its outer walls have been made visible again. The importance of the fort is described on an information board for you. A section of the Limes fortification with palisade, ditch and rampart as well as the foundations of tower WP 1/71 are reconstructed there in their original locations. Outside the fort there is a water point modeled after a Roman well. At a wooden bench with a table you can take a break and breathe in Roman history. Afterwards, the path mostly descends through nature back to the Limesturm.

Parking

Free parking is available at the starting point.

Directions

The route of the Hillscheider Limespfad in the Kannenbäckerland runs partly along the former Roman border up to the Hillscheid Limes small fort, whose outer walls were rebuilt in 2003.

The circular hike with a total length of about 8 km begins at the Limesturm WP 1/68 on the Höhr-Grenzhausen – Hillscheid road (L 310) at the entrance to Hillscheid. Here stands the Roman watchtower rebuilt in 1994 on the occasion of Hillscheid's 1000-year celebration based on the latest archaeological findings.

Follow the signs to the main road, then turn right onto Industriestraße - Bärenrondell – behind this onto the left side of the road towards Hillscheid – after 300 m turn left into "In den Buchen" street – a small climb – then again left a few meters into the forest – turn left onto the foot/cycle path towards Höhr-Grenzhausen.

After about 300 m you reach the gateway to the actual Limespfad and are close to the Limes.

You cross the path, go over a small bridge and see on the left the Limes ditch, which has been preserved for about 2000 years. Now follow the laid-out path through the high forest to the spruce forest. Before crossing the forest path you find a freshwater quartzite half protruding from the forest floor.
From the spruce forest you come to a forest path and go left to the waymarking, which leads you right into a beech forest section. Follow the waymarking to the left and further to the right and walk parallel to the ditch, now you come to a well-maintained forest path, go right, see the waterworks on the right in the forest, further left the fire brigade hut, go a few meters further, turn left and slightly uphill after about 200 m right into the spruce forest – the tower WP 1/70 is no longer visible, but the board indicates the location.

You are now standing in front of the fort whose outer walls have been made visible again. Then walk past the rampart at the fort to the spruces and then continue parallel to the Limes. Pass through the spruce stand further into the beech forest and straight ahead to the forest path and you will see the large sign with explanations about the spoil heap: WP 1/72, now go down this path following the signs, then right into the town and the school entrance right up, over the school yard, past the gym on the left, down again and from here you have a wonderful view to the "Hohe Acht" in the Eifel.

At the end there is the history column. On reaching the "Waldstraße" go right past the kindergartens to the Römerstraße – on the right a wayside cross. Follow the path to the left onto the Römerstraße.

The path now leads right following the "Bahnhofstraße" to the sign "Rundofen". After a detour to this industrial monument, you return to the main street and reach the Limesturm after 600 meters. Start and end of the circular hike.

Safety instructions

Wear sturdy footwear as well as weather-appropriate, functional clothing that protects you from cold and wetness or heat and sun. Please wear hiking shoes suitable for the path, which provide you with sufficient grip even on slippery and steep or rocky and uneven paths. Especially in autumn, be aware that fallen leaves on the ground may conceal unevenness, roots, stones, or holes in the path. You must expect path impairments of this kind when you undertake a hike. Although the path is very well marked throughout, for safety reasons you should always carry a suitable hiking map.

Equipment

It is a moderate path that can be easily walked with normal sturdy footwear.

Tips

After the route, you should take a closer look at the Limesturm at the destination and the "Roman Utility Garden" (Hortus Rusticus) also invites you to linger.

Literature

Hillscheider Limespfad

Destination

Limesturm Hillscheid, 56204 Hillscheid

Starting Point

Limesturm Hillscheid, 56204 Hillscheid