E3 Valleys and Heights

The approximately 13 km long "E3 Valleys and Heights" circular trail begins in the Dhünn floodplains near Odenthal-Schöllerhof. It leads through the Eifgenbach valley, across the hills of the Bergisches Land region to the Große Dhünn reservoir, and then along the Dhünn river back to the starting point. At the beginning, the damp valley floor entices hikers with its impressive natural beauty and numerous sights; the hills offer spectacular panoramic views, and the Dhünn valley itself boasts a thousand-year history.
From the Schöllerhof hiking parking lot, the route initially follows the L101 north for 150 meters before crossing to the other side of the road and leading through the meadow to the riverbed. Upon reaching the opposite bank of the Eifgen, bear sharply right and hike along the stream and the accompanying Eifgenbachweg trail for a total of 4,5 kilometers, following its approximately 20-kilometer journey from its source east of Wermelskirchen to its confluence with the Dhünn. After one kilometer, the Eifgenburg, a former refuge and defensive castle dating from the 11th/12th century, lies to the left above the path. Ditches and ramparts dominate the plateau on the spur. Only a trained eye can discern the remains of a ringfort made of earth and wood, likely dating back to the Early Middle Ages. At the site of the former Bökershammer mill, whose overgrown foundations, ponds, and ditches testify to its importance as a center of iron processing in the Bergisches Land region during the 17th and 18th centuries, you cross the stream once more. After 1 km, having crossed the natural-looking channel via a new bridge, an old weir points to the history of the "smallest reservoir," which, with a capacity of 12.000 m³, supplied the residents of Burscheid with drinking water until the 1960s. You follow the Eifgen stream on the left, then on the right bank, before the path leaves it after 1 km at a junction, turning right and leading steadily uphill to Limmringhausen. Tip: If you wish, you can first take a 500 m detour to the Markusmühle mill. Once at the top, bear sharply left and, after 500 m on asphalt, cross the L101 road to reach the hamlet of Bremen. From here, the trail climbs through meadows and forests into the water-rich Linnefe Valley, a habitat for low mountain streams – a place even salmon have rediscovered and come to appreciate! Follow the picturesque course of the stream to the left into the meadow and then hike uphill to Lindscheid. After about 1 km, your efforts will be rewarded with unique views of the Große Dhünn Reservoir, its impressive dam, and the surrounding landscape. Tip: A detour to the reservoir's dam is a must!
The path winds its way down into the Dhünn Valley, where Loosenau, a former gunpowder mill and the future research site ":aqualon," marks the beginning of the charming Dhünn Valley. The trail then follows the course of the Dhünn, which is lined with alder-ash forests and later with riparian and swamp forests. At an archway, you'll encounter an old acquaintance – here the Linnefe flows into the Dhünn, joining it on its further course. 900 meters downstream, the baroque Maria in der Aue complex appears on the right. Formerly known as "Schloss Haniel," the present-day conference hotel has a varied history. Here you can enjoy refreshments; otherwise, it was – for centuries – a center of explosive gunpowder production. The relics of several black powder manufacturing plants can be seen here on the banks of the Dhünn. The path leads back to the Schöllerhof along its banks.