1 The Mining Trail
The marked route gives the visitor the opportunity to trace the history of mining in Ramsbeck and to learn about the technical processes of ore mining, processing and smelting. Signs are set up at the most prominent points, providing information in text and pictures and explaining the still existing monuments, buildings, tunnels, areas and relics.
The hiking trail starts at the Mining Museum and is therefore intended as an extension and supplement to the topics dealt with in the museum and the exhibits shown there. First, it leads past the Old Hospital and the Protestant Church – buildings that are closely connected with mining in terms of social history – to the slope of the Bastenberg. Here you will find the oldest evidence of mining in Ramsbeck: the Venetian gallery, dating from around the 11th century, and the gallery entrances, spoil heaps and remnants of the smelter facilities (flue, chimney) from the middle of the 19th century.
Closely connected with the mining area at Bastenberg are the mining facilities „Auf dem Werdern“. Together with the so-called water castle, the lead smelter and the old terraced houses of the smelter workers along the Valme river, they still give an impression of the complex industrial area of lead and zinc extraction on the southern edge of Ramsbeck.
The evidence and traces in the Bastenberg area lead far back into history; nevertheless, not only the technical development of lead and zinc extraction up to the beginning of the 20th century can be traced here, but – typical for the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century – the change from a natural landscape to an industrial landscape can still be recognized here. In 1912, ore mining ceased in the Bastenberg pits. The opposite Dörnberg becomes the focus of the Ramsbeck mining industry until its closure in 1974.
Now a new section of the hiking route begins: the visitor reaches the mountain station of the so-called Bremsberg from the Werdern in a north-easterly direction. The transport of the lead and zinc concentrates from Dörnberg to the smelting plant in Nievenheim or Aachen is now in the viewer’s focus. On the route of the former trolley railroad at Scheidt, the visitor then comes to adits III and IV and to the area of the former modern Willibald ore processing plant on the slope of the Dörnberg.
During the hike there are always wide views into the valley, of spoil heaps and the former miners‘ dwellings; traces that also characterize the townscape of Ramsbeck to this day.
We look forward to sharing with you an eventful hike on the Mining Trail
Glück auf!
Förderverein Sauerländer Besucherbergwerk Bestwig – Ramsbeck e.V.
Sturdy footwear is recommended.
The trail is not accessible for those who use wheelchair or other mobility aids.
The association cannot accept liability for any personal damage caused on the mining trail. .
An initiative of Förderverein Sauerländer Besucherbergwerk Bestwig-Ramsbeck e.V.
Supported by the LEADER – Programme
„4 Mitten im Sauerland”
