The Monte Barbara Path starts at the Saarland Mining Museum and is very suitable for a walk around the area. The flower garden can be visited free of charge. Also, an app-based audio tour about the life and work of the miners at the time entices with interesting stories at several stations:
Here you get an insight into the hard life of the miners and how coal was extracted from the mountain. Right at the entrance, there is a cage with the corresponding drive wheel that transported the miners from the depths of the mine upwards. From here, the route leads through the flower garden towards Monte Barbara. At the foot of Monte Barbara there is a small vineyard, which goes back to an experiment by the Bexbach homeland association. From here, the path leads uphill towards the summit. Along the way, it is worth stopping briefly to take the black stones of the spoil heap in your hand. It is not uncommon to find traces of fossilized plants, especially grasses and ferns, which appear as dark lines.
Upon reaching the summit, the question is answered as to where the spoil heap got its name. A statue of Saint Barbara, the patron saint of miners, crowns the summit of the spoil heap. The statue originally once stood in the valley – at the last Bexbach mine, which had to make way in the 1950s to make room for the large coal-fired power plant. From up here, it is easy to recognize it with its large cooling tower. Monte Barbara was created by the so-called coal washing, which was at the Bexbach station, which can be seen well at the foot. Here, the coal was separated from the unusable slag.
Autorentipp
Read on the installed panels about the mining history at the time and download the free audio tour to your smartphone!
Places to eat:
Hotel-Restaurant Krone
Rathausstraße 6, 66450 Bexbach
Phone: 0 68 26 – 92 14 0, Email: info@hotel-haus-krone.de
https://www.hotel-haus-krone.de/restaurant/
And further dining options in central Bexbach
Wegbeschreibung
The route starts in front of the Saarland Mining Museum and the Bexbach Flower Garden. From here, the signed round runs a short distance past the main road, then turns right and then immediately left into the forest. This stretch in the forest runs briefly to the small goose pond and nice seating areas as well as display panels. After the goose pond, the hiking trail turns left and shortly afterwards reaches the street "Ortsweilerhof." From here, the path goes past horse paddocks and cultivated fields to the sand pit. At the foot of the so-called "Monte Barbara," the round goes right past the former flyer’s cabin across the meadow to the motorhome harbor. The final section of the route runs directly past the Bexbach Flower Garden. Anyone wanting to take a detour into the garden here will be surprised by ponds, playing meadows, a playground, and the Gulliver World 2.0.
Ausrüstung
All important information about equipment can be found in our packing list.
Sicherheitshinweise
Attention:
Basically, entering the forest and walking on the hiking trails is at your own risk.
Depending on the season and weather, increased surefootedness is required on some sections of the paths.
Therefore, wear clothing and hiking boots with appropriate soles adapted to the season and weather conditions.
Please note especially:
Carefully walk the constructed stairs in the forest (they could be slippery due to fallen leaves).
TOGETHER WITH RESPECT
Friendliness, understanding, and consideration for each other is a principle for the cooperative use of our natural area. The code of conduct is:
Use existing paths, follow signs, and respect path closures
Do not leave traces such as litter or dog waste and treat the path gently
Respect other users of the forest and countryside
Show consideration for animals and plants
Plan ahead and make use of daylight
DISCLAIMER:
Despite repeated checks and careful preparation of the route descriptions, the publisher assumes no liability for the accuracy and completeness of the information in this description.
USAGE NOTICE:
Dear hiking friends, the hiking trails also lead along natural paths through untouched nature reserves and forests. Preserving and protecting nature is an important concern for us.
We also want to point out the risks and therefore ask you to stay on the marked paths and not to enter existing rock faces for safety reasons. Furthermore, we point out the presence of natural forest hazards. Depending on the weather, some places on the path may be softened and slippery and must therefore be walked with particular care. Sturdy footwear is therefore recommended on all routes; surefootedness is indispensable.
Use of the hiking trails and premium hiking trails is at your own risk.
MARKING AND SIGNAGE:
All quality paths are circular hiking trails that can be walked in both directions. Therefore, the signage is in both directions. Try going the round the other way and you will discover completely new perspectives and different viewpoints.
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