The best family-friendly hikes and walks in Hardt

On hot, sunny days, this hollow path, carved into the soft loess soil by the growth of trees on both sides, is a very welcome, shady respite from the open fields. Following the ascent, the hiker reaches the beautiful, half-timbered St. Rochus Chapel.

"But perhaps the time is not yet ripe for it (...) lest one day they bring disaster upon one another and their peoples. And if they should do so nevertheless, may the good Lord in his counsel decree that at least afterwards, when the disaster has already befallen them all, they will find their way back to one another and make peace in this world once and for all." Thus writes Otfried Preußler (born 1923 in Reichenberg, Bohemia), best known as a children's book author, in his work "The Flight to Egypt. Royal Bohemian Part." While his lines are about the German and Czech inhabitants of the Kingdom of Bohemia in the context of the story, his statement is actually universally and timelessly valid.

"The hiker is immersed in the history of the old castle [Bensberg Castle] during the Franco-Prussian Wars when visiting the French and Prussian-Austrian military cemeteries in the neighboring Hardt Forest," reads the description of this section of the Bergisches Land Trail No. 13, which covers 10 kilometers and also includes the two military cemeteries (though the graves themselves are no longer preserved). For the complete route description, see =>> https://www.bergisches-wanderland.de/bergische-streifzuege/alle-streifzuege/13-bensberger-schlossweg-bergisch-gladbach-101-km

Caution! The cave is currently closed due to rockfall.

<< Blücher Mine in the Hardt Nature Reserve >> "... Historical Development Industrial mining began here when the Blücher mining area was claimed on July 28, 1847. Advances in the zinc industry at that time led to a veritable zinc rush in the Bensberg ore district, in which Belgian businessmen played a significant role. The Blücher Mine was officially awarded to Charles Détilleux, a Belgian entrepreneur living in Paris, on June 28, 1850. At the same time, he was awarded the Napoleon Mine in the western part of the deposit. The mines, named after the Waterloo opponents, were managed jointly from the outset. They received permission to establish an associated ore processing plant in March 1855. All rights and facilities were transferred in 1857 to the Rheinischer Bergwerks-Aktienverein Saturn, which was founded in Cologne in the same year by predominantly Belgian shareholders. In the first years of operation, zinc ore was predominantly extracted from the older, pre-industrial dumps. The previously worthless zinc ore had simply been dumped by the "old men." For example, in 1854, approximately 3,800 quintals of zinc ore concentrate were extracted compared to only 13 quintals of lead ore concentrate. In the following years, this ratio normalized until it reached approximately 1 to 7 in 1862, thus adjusting to the geological conditions of the deposit. The underground mining operations also initially achieved good results, particularly at the 40- and 70-meter levels. In 1861, the machine shaft was modernized with a new steam boiler. The processing plant was expanded to include new crushing and rolling mills, as well as setting machines, and relocated upslope. Neighboring mining areas were acquired to enable permanent operation. In November 1862, the Katzbach and Wahlstatt mines were integrated. For a short time, the Blücher mine became one of the most profitable mines in the region, especially for the Saturn company. The number of employees rose to almost 280. Zinc production, in particular, was of great importance and was surpassed at the time only by the Lüderich mine. In 1869, other neighboring companies were incorporated, including Galvani, Madonna, and Norma. The "Consolidated Blücher Mine" now comprised 13 mining areas, extending across almost the entire Hardt forest area. THE FOLLOWING HISTORY AND FURTHER INFORMATION: https://www.kuladig.de/Objektansicht/KLD-267703

<< The Cox Mine >> Habitat for rare animals and plants "In the heart of Bergisch Gladbach, in the southwest of the Lerbach Forest, lies the former dolomite mine "Cox," a valuable piece of nature worthy of protection. Dolomite mining at the Cox Mine has left its mark. The original forest area at this location became a mine in 1969, and the forest dwellers fled to other parts of the Lerbach Forest. This begs the question: What is worth protecting about a quarry that destroyed intact forest areas? It neither arose naturally nor was it deliberately created as a habitat after the dolomite was extracted for the production of high-quality mirror glass. Originally, the pit was to be filled in and recultivated as a forest after mining was completed. This would have brought things full circle. Welcome to the "Cox Mine" In front of you is the "Cox Mine" nature reserve. Similar to the Wahner Heide, Königsforst, or Gierather Wald nature reserves, the Cox Mine is also open for walks and nature observation. You are cordially invited to explore the beauty of the mine site. Our visitor guidance system explains the special features of the area along the designated circular trail (aerial map). This circular trail is marked by oak fence posts with red-painted heads. Along the trail, you will find further information panels and a viewing point on the edge of the mine. To the east of the nature reserve, there are other worthwhile hiking destinations in the Lerbacher Forest and its surroundings. The History of the Cox Mine The Cox Mine is a product of modern times. In 1969, a dolomite deposit of exceptional purity was discovered at this location in the Lerbacher Forest. The dolomite found, which was particularly low in iron, was open-cast mined until around 1985 and used in glassworks in Cologne-Porz to produce high-quality mirror glass. The resulting pit was supposed to be completely filled in after mining was completed. However, rare animal and plant species, normally found only in river floodplains, quickly settled in the resulting habitat niche. For this reason, the Cox Pit was designated a nature reserve by the Cologne District Government in 1996. https://www.rbk-direkt.de/naturschutzgebiet-grube-cox.aspx

Lots of narrow, winding footpaths where no car has ever driven. This is the kind of thing I go to *nature* for. Hurry, the nature conservation authorities haven't closed them yet.

From the bench by the Lerbach stream, you can look out into an idyllic wetland. Supposedly, "special species" live there. But when asked, the authorities declined to reveal which ones exactly. Is this even true? The neighboring sand piles, embankments, and embankments are very popular with children for playing. This is permitted because the mine site—unlike the surrounding Hardt Nature Reserve—is exempt from nature conservation. https://nsg.naturschutzinformationen.nrw.de/nsg/de/fachinfo/gebiete/gesamt/GL-066