Discovery loop traces of lime

The route begins in the picturesque village of Gruiten at "Haus Am Quall," Haan's oldest secular building. The hike then leads out of the village along the Düssel River, crossing a former railway line that once served as a route from five quarries to the factories.

On the path through the idyllic Düsseltal, limestone quarrying can be seen again and again on the rock faces that line the path to the left and right. Almost the entire topography was shaped by the lime industry. The path runs past former canteen buildings in the direction of Winkelsmühle. On this part of the trail, the ruins of the historic Hupertsbracken lime kiln, restored around 1980, are particularly impressive. 

After a refreshing break at the "Der Kühle Grund Haan" inn, you reach the Ehlenbeck farm. On this site, which is now a farm, there was a lime sintering plant until 1932. The Lindenbeck plant boasted the tallest chimney in Germany at the time. At this site, which can be described as the cradle of industrial lime processing in Gruiten, parts of the remains are still visible today.

The way back now leads out of the valley, past the ruins of a ring kiln and further traces of the extensive and diverse transport network. Back in the village of Gruiten, a short tour is worthwhile. The elevated cemetery offers a magnificent view over the historic village.