Bergbauwanderweg Wattenscheid, Mining trail in Bochum, Germany.
The Bergbauwanderweg Wattenscheid is a walking route of about 3 kilometers through the former coal mining landscape of the Wattenscheid district. It passes former mining shafts, engine houses, an old mine railway, and other remnants of the industrial period.
Mining began in this area in 1738 and ended in 1961, with the Maria Anna & Steinbank mine being a central operation. The mine was formed in 1841 by merging several smaller workings and shaped the region for over a century.
The trail passes through areas shaped by mining work, where visitors can see how industry once defined daily life in this region. The preserved structures and landscapes tell stories about labor and craftsmanship from centuries past.
The trail starts at the Höntrop Secondary School parking lot, where information panels and a Ruhr sandstone marker show the way. Signposts along the path help guide visitors to the different historical sites.
The route splits into two branches: the Eppendorf section and the Höntrop section, each revealing different mining sites. An old mine railway bridge stands out as a striking reminder of the industrial transport network that once connected these areas.
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