Cultural Landscape Trail

Hikers can expect a challenging route through the cultural landscape around Hartegasse – characterized by pastures, forests, and water. The area around Hartegasse is also marked by sinkholes (distinctive landforms created by geological processes). Evidence of this can be found in Kapellensüng, where the Süngerbach stream disappears into a sinkhole.

The cultural landscape trail begins at the parish church of St. Agatha, built in 1913/14 on the site of a private chapel dating from 1662. Leaving the village, the trail leads to the small hamlet of Löhsüng. Passing through woods and meadows, the path meets the L-shaped trail and follows it eastward to the Kohlersberg (306 m). This section is part of the so-called Kurfürstenweg (Elector's Way), a route connecting the towns of Bensberg and Attendorn, which belonged to the Archbishopric and Electorate of Cologne (Electorate of Cologne). At the wayside cross "Am Petrus," the trail leads past the Oberbüschem campsite with the Büschem's Besenstübchen restaurant. It continues across the meadows "Am Heiligen Stück" to the so-called Holy Tree, an ancient linden tree with seating and a wayside shrine, inviting visitors to linger. The trail then leads through a forest to the hamlet of Stelberg and on to Oberfeld. Crossing the main road and the Breun, a tributary of the Sülz River, you reach the opposite slope at Steinenbrache. The trail then descends southwards to the Lindlarer Sülz and the village of Brochhagen, first documented in 1318. The country inn "Im Wiesengrund" and several campsites are located near the hiking route. South of the Lindlarer Sülz, the path leads to the Kerberg hill near the hamlet of Hönighausen, before crossing the Lindlarer Sülz again to reach the village of Hartegasse. This village was first mentioned as "hadergassen" in 1413. The name is composed of the words "hoar" (mud) and "gasse" (path), suggesting a deeply rutted, wet, and therefore difficult-to-traverse path. This was due to the presence of sinkholes, as during heavy rainfall the underground waterways became too narrow, and the excess water found its way through the village's lanes. A place to stop for refreshments can be found at the "Musikalischer Wirt" (Musical Innkeeper), before passing the Icelandic horse farm Töltmyllan to reach the starting point.

Start: Hiking parking lot, Kirchstraße, Kapellensüng
Difficulty: medium
Length: 12 km
Gradient: max. 20%, ø 6%
Height difference: 380m