The legend of the Werthelstein and the Erzloch:
North of Dreis on the Banne Bergweiler lies a mighty quartzite block. The distance of the Werthelstein from Dreis, Bruch and Bergweiler is the same. The folk saying goes: "If the sound of the bells from Dreis, Bruch, and Bergweiler reaches the Werthelstein simultaneously, it will turn once around its own axis."
Nearby was a tunnel in the rock called Erzloch. Ore-bearing material was mined there in earlier times.
Legendary hike to an old ore mine and the Werthelstein. The varied route leads through orchards, forest, and vineyards with beautiful views.
Take the motorway to the Wittlich-West exit, then on L 141 towards Dreis
via L43 or L50 to Dreis on Talstraße to the Dreyshalle
You can reach Dreis by bus. Detailed information can be found at www.vrt-info.de
Free parking at the Dreyshalle
Like all Dreis hiking trails, Dreis 4 also starts at the Dreyshalle. From here, you begin along Talstraße in a northerly direction to the bus stop on the right side of the street. At the end of the bus stop, turn into the street called "In der Füll" and immediately turn left onto the farm track. You walk along the Schorbach stream to the street "In den Maien." The street leads the hiker further north past a carpentry business and a roofing company to the L 43. Cross this carefully and then continue to the right. After about 50 meters, turn left onto the paved field path towards Sonnenhof (a former agricultural estate). At the junction at Sonnenhof, first go straight on slightly uphill and then take the next fork to the right. Through meadows and fields, follow the signs to a Christmas tree farm in the Eschenbachtal. At the Christmas tree farm, keep left and continue on the meadow path to the edge of the forest. Upon reaching the forest edge, turn right onto a narrow path into the forest. After about 80 m, you will meet a wide forest road, on which you turn right. Through a varied forest with some beautiful views, you walk always slightly uphill in a northeasterly direction. Where the forest ends, the path meets a paved farm track. From here, keep left uphill towards Bergweiler. Shortly before the so-called "Bitbunker," the path turns left and leads between two farms onto a small plateau (highest point 322 m), from which you have a beautiful panoramic view. Keeping half right, the path initially still on asphalt and then on gravel leads downhill through meadows into the forest. At the first junction, turn right and follow the forest path to a ford over the Karbach (locally called "Borbach"). After crossing the small stream, keep left. For about 1.5 km, the path now runs parallel to the Karbach downstream. Then cross the Karbach again and follow the path, which becomes somewhat steeper, uphill. After about 150 m, you reach an old tunnel, the "Erzloch." Here, ore-bearing rock was mined in earlier times. At the next junction (about 80 m above), turn left. Higher up, the path then forks right towards the Werdelstein. The Werdelstein (also Werthelstein, Wedelstein, or Würstelstein, dialectally called Werdelsteen) is an impressive legendary quartzite rock block (see "further description") and lies at an altitude of 310 m. A seating area and a forest bench invite you to relax and unwind. On an information board, you can read the legends about the Werdelstein. From the Karbach to this point, you have climbed a height difference of 100 meters within a short time at a pleasant incline. Coming from the Werdelstein, you go right through a hollow path back towards Dreis. At the forest edge, you reach a large crossroads. Here, follow the paved path half right towards the south. After about 200 m, the path turns right onto an earth path and leads through meadows past a raised hunting stand to a paved farm track. From here, you have a great view towards the Moselberge and towards Wittlich. Keeping right, walk on asphalt between two mighty sequoias and past the Dreiser barbecue hut towards the west. At the next junction, turn left and go quite steeply downhill to a water reservoir in the Dreiser vineyards, of which only a few plots are still cultivated today. Above the Dreiser castle and the parish church of St. Martin, a bench with a great view over Dreis and the valley of the Salmbach invites you to linger. After enjoying the great view, walk down the vineyard path on the right. After a sharp left curve, the "Herrenpfädchen" and a staircase lead steeply down past the rectory to the church. A detour to the church, worth seeing in the Baroque style from 1755, is recommended. Below the church lies the Dreiser castle. It is privately owned and cannot be visited. Via Kirchstraße, you descend to Freie Reichstraße, onto which the hiker turns left and follows it eastward through the village. At the intersection Freie Reichstraße/Bergstraße/Talstraße, turn south into Talstraße and soon reach the Dreyshalle again.
The route is sufficiently signposted with the logo "Dr4" and can be walked in both directions.
Weatherproof clothing and sturdy footwear.
Backpack provisions and sturdy footwear are recommended.
Behind the Dreyshalle is a beautiful playground for children.
The legend tells: "Long ago, dwarfs lived here, who carved a strangely small tunnel through the hard rock. With their small tools, they mined gold and silver below and carried the treasure into their chamber. They lived in peace for years, but it was not to last. The land on which the earth spirits lived belonged to a farmer who demanded the removal of the dwarfs. However, the clever gnomes negotiated with the giant, and they agreed. One condition had to be observed: no one was allowed to enter their chamber, which contained various treasures. Then the farmer died, and his son inherited everything. But the descendant did not like that foreign people were on his land, that they were richer than him and possessed tons of treasures. His greed drove him so far that he set off with his men to plunder these forest spirits. But as soon as he approached the cave, a threatening voice called out: "Stop, stop, do not break into our chamber." But the victorious man laughed loudly and kicked the rock. Suddenly a lightning bolt flashed from the sky and struck the greedy landowner. But the rock was not spared either, and today we only see a large stone block lying there, the Werthelstein." (Source: Chronicle of OG Dreis from 1985)
Dreyshalle, 54518 Dreis, Talstraße 12e
