D1 Siefen, Wälder und Höhen

The first part of the route follows the reservoir trail along the Große Dhünn reservoir before ascending to the K16 district road running between Lindscheid and Stumpf. At the Hindenburg Tower – an old water tower – the path descends and crosses the K18 towards Dortenhof, before continuing through the forest down into the Linnefe valley. Passing the pumping station, the trail follows a narrow path alongside the babbling brook, through what is arguably the most beautiful section of the Linnefe valley. Before a shelter, the route turns left, crosses the Linnefe, and then follows the Bornsiefen stream back up to the heights above Lindscheid.
From the trailhead parking lot, follow the D1 trail marker uphill along the road for a short distance, then turn right. From here, the reservoir trail, marked with a blue D, will guide you for quite a while, offering magnificent views across meadows and forests to the Dhünn Reservoir and the hills to the south. You'll cross a narrow road and descend through the beech forest into the Daxbach Valley. From 1929 onwards, spring water was pumped from here to the water tower in Ketzbergerhöhe using a piston pump. After crossing the stream and a short climb, you'll reach the village of Schaffeld and follow the road to the left. At the village sign, leave the road and turn right into the forest, passing the headwaters of a ravine valley stretching southwards. The trail leads down into the wooded valley of the Malsberger Bach stream, with gentle ups and downs past meadows, forests, and hedgerows. A short, steep climb awaits you after the footbridge. Finally, you reach a fork in the path. There, leave the reservoir trail and take the left-hand branch, following the D1 trail until you reach the district road 16. Keeping left here, you will walk straight towards the Hindenburg Tower, a valuable cultural monument.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the Bergisches Land region was supplied with electricity. This finally made it possible to pump water; the arduous task of drawing and hauling water from springs, wells, and ponds, necessary both summer and winter, was eliminated. In July 1927, the Ketzbergerhöhe Water Supply Cooperative was founded; from 1929 to 1966, the surrounding villages received their water from the Hindenburg Tower. Today, the Hindenburg Tower is a listed historical monument and offers breathtaking views across the Dhünn plateau.
Tip: Climb the tower and enjoy the magnificent panoramic view. (The key is available at the neighboring inn "Zum Hindenburgturm" during opening hours.)
At the "Zum Hindenburgturm" inn, the path turns right and leads downhill until it meets the K18 district road. Turn left here and follow the road uphill to Dortenhof. After passing the village sign, turn right and descend through the forest into the Linnefe valley, where you will reach a pumping station. This pumping station, operated by the Wupperverband (Wupper Water Association), pumps the wastewater from the municipality of Dabringhausen to the joint wastewater treatment plant in Leverkusen. Hike downhill along the narrow, root-strewn path, with the stream babbling merrily to your left. The mostly flat valley floor is characterized by alternating wet meadows and small alder groves. Shortly before reaching a shelter on the forest road (with a high-voltage power line above), turn left, cross the Linnefe, and descend along the Bornsiefen stream to your left, back to the Lindscheid heights and the starting point of your hike.