E2 On Old Paths

The Bellinghausen hiking car park, just before the village of the same name, lies below a high road used since the Middle Ages – today's B51. This is the starting point of the 7 km long circular route "E2 - On old paths": The path runs along typical Bergisches Land valleys, from heights down into the cool valley floor, which is widely known for both its unspoiled landscape and its cultural-historical significance.
From the Bellinghausen hiking parking lot, the trail initially leads downhill into the wooded slopes of the Eifgenbach valley. At a junction with a bench, keep right and continue descending into the valley. An old sunken lane crosses the route – it's fascinating to imagine how people and carts once traveled through this valley centuries ago! Just a few meters further on, the hiker finally meets the Eifgenbachweg trail, which runs alongside the babbling brook from Wermelskirchen-Eifgen to Odenthal-Schöllerhof; follow this trail for approximately 2,5 km as part of this circular hike.
After only a short time, a very special monument emerges: the old Burscheid reservoir, which operated from 1905 to 1964, ceased its economic use of the water. Now, only the silted-up reservoir remains, and a diverse, moisture-loving flora and fauna thrives in its watery basin.
At the next milestone, keep right and cross a small tributary of the Eifgen River to continue enjoying beautiful views of the river along the floodplain. At a clearing, cross the Eifgenbach stream via the bridge and follow the narrow path uphill for a short distance. Upon reaching the large intersection, keep left on the main path. Passing another intersection with a huge old oak tree on your left and crossing another stream, the Markusmühle mill will soon come into view. This former grain mill looks back on a history of more than 400 years; a devastating fire destroyed the historic mill building and its attached inn.
After crossing the main road, the trail re-enters the light forest. At the next milestone, the circular route leaves the waters of the Eifgenbach stream and leads you uphill to the left. In the village of Eschhausen, keep right on the paved path, cross through the village, and follow the trail back into the countryside. Continuing straight ahead, the hiker quickly reaches Altenhilgen through a small wooded area. Here, turn left, then right via a set of steps to reach a road. Diagonally opposite, follow the Ahornweg (Maple Path) to the turning circle; here, a set of steps on the right leads to the B51. Follow this main road to the left for just a few meters before turning onto the "Eifgenweg" (Eifgen Path). Eventually, you reach cultivated fields offering expansive views across the landscape. Here you can enjoy a magnificent view of the village of Bellinghausen. After a beautiful avenue, you will pass two truly stately half-timbered houses. The hiking parking lot is now not far away; the path leads down into the forest and after just a few meters reveals the small hamlet and former knight's seat of Bellinghausen: Beautifully restored half-timbered houses line up next to each other and take the visitor on a journey back in time to the history of the Bergisches Land region, before the hiking parking lot is reached again.